Thanatopsis

- Noun

A view or contemplation of death, particularly in the form of artistic expression of some kind.

For better or for worse, much of Morrissey's works should be viewed as exercises in thanatopsis

Following the death of one of his two cats, and the subsequent abandonment of him by the only other companion (feline or otherwise) he would ever have in his life, Michael entered a deepened state of thanatopsis from which he never truly emerged