The Grief Sector Laboratory (LABSEL) is an academic and research initiative based at the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), one of Brazil’s leading public universities.
Founded in 2024, LABSEL was created to advance research, education, innovation, and public policy discussions related to grief, bereavement, funeral services, end-of-life planning, death care systems, and posthumous dignity.
Our mission is to bridge academia, public institutions, civil society, and private sector organizations in order to improve how societies respond to death, loss, mourning, and the administrative challenges that emerge after death.
LABSEL promotes interdisciplinary dialogue involving public administration, law, international relations, sociology, psychology, healthcare, funeral services, migration studies, and public policy. The laboratory develops research projects, academic publications, professional training programs, conferences, extension activities, and international partnerships focused on strengthening grief-related governance and support systems.
Founded in 1946, UFPE is consistently recognized as one of Brazil’s leading public universities and serves as an important center for teaching, research, and international cooperation in Latin America.
LABSEL actively seeks partnerships with researchers, universities, governmental institutions, international organizations, funeral associations, and professionals interested in the study of grief and bereavement.
| • Grief Governance | • Posthumous Dignity |
| • Public Policies for Funeral Assistance | • Funeral Service Innovation |
| • International Repatriation of Human Remains | • Death Care Systems |
| • Consular Assistance in Death Abroad Cases | • Cemetery and Memorial Studies |
| • Migration and Bereavement | • Comparative International Funeral Policies |
| • End-of-Life Planning | • Public Administration and Bereavement Services |
Through international collaboration, LABSEL aims to foster comparative research and encourage the exchange of experiences between countries facing similar challenges related to death management, mourning support, and funeral governance.
Death is a universal human experience, yet public policies and institutional responses to grief remain underdeveloped in many countries.
Families often face significant administrative, legal, financial, and emotional challenges when dealing with death, especially in transnational contexts involving migration, international travel, or cross-border repatriation.
LABSEL believes that grief should not be viewed solely as a private experience but also as a matter of public concern requiring thoughtful governance, compassionate institutions, and evidence-based policies. By producing research and fostering dialogue, the laboratory seeks to contribute to more humane, accessible, and equitable systems of support for grieving individuals and families.
International Affairs Research Associate
International Partnerships Coordinator
Igor Mariano Pimentel is responsible for supporting LABSEL’s international engagement and cooperation initiatives. He serves as the laboratory’s primary point of contact for international researchers, universities, governmental institutions, professional associations, and organizations interested in collaborative projects.
Igor brings extensive experience in international relations, public administration, diplomacy, and consular affairs. Prior to joining LABSEL, he served as Technical Advisor for Foreign Affairs for the Government of Goiás, Brazil, where he coordinated initiatives involving international cooperation, migrant assistance, humanitarian cases, and cross-border funeral assistance.
At LABSEL, he works to strengthen global academic networks, develop international research partnerships, promote comparative studies, and expand opportunities for collaboration between Brazil and institutions around the world.
His contributions to LABSEL are provided on a voluntary academic basis, supporting the laboratory’s international research, cooperation, and outreach initiatives.
Researchers, institutions, professional associations, governmental organizations, NGOs, and students interested in collaboration are welcome to contact LABSEL. We are fully open to joint research projects, academic exchanges, visiting scholars, and cross-border research networks.
+1 (707) 909-2431
+55 (62) 99914-0698
pesquisadorvoluntario.labsel@ufpe.br
For partnership inquiries, please contact our team through the official LABSEL channels.
