ta·phon·o·my 
(tə-fŏnə-mē)
(tə-fŏnə-mē)n.
1. The study of the events and processes, such as burial in sediment, transportation, and decomposition, that affect the remains of an organism after it dies.
2. These events and processes, especially those leading up to preservation or fossilization.
[Greek taphē, grave + -NOMY.]
taph′o·nomic (tăf′ə-nŏmĭk) adj.
ta·phono·mist n.