Hello- I am so honored that you are here! My name is Brittany. I am an ordained, nonreligious celebrant, death educator, and End-of-Life (EOL) Doula.

CICADA was born out of the desire to approach equity and dignity in death from all sides: community, advocacy, education, and client care.

I started my graduate program pursuing an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, hoping to focus on grief counseling. During that time, I became involved as a hospice volunteer and trained as an End-of-Life Doula (EOLD). My time with patients and other professionals in the field of death and dying opened my eyes to the reality of what it is to die in the United States.

• It is EXPENSIVE to die in the US.

• There are massive equity gaps in end-of-life care that are not discussed in most spaces.

• Death, dying, and grief are uncomfortable topics for a large portion of the population.

• Grief is isolating, whether you are the one dying or the one left behind.

• Most people don’t think about or plan for their death, which leaves their loved ones to navigate grief while working through a long list of legal and logistical tasks.

• The funeral industry in the U.S. is now largely dominated by religiously affiliated organizations, leaving a massive need for those who do not align with those belief systems or perhaps have trauma from their time in them.

There are so many incredible people working to change the way we die in America and the cultural narratives we cling to. Amid a conversation with one of them, there was a moment when I realized this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life- and with that, I changed directions and am now on the cusp of graduating with an MS in Social Sciences, specializing in End-of-Life Education & Equity.

My background is in training and education development, mental health, and client care. I am writer, storyteller, lover of pie (savory or sweet) and potatoes, mama to 2 rescue cats, 2 dachshunds, and 2 humans. I am a queer affirming practitioner and celebrant, and deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve patients and families from a wide variety of backgrounds, faiths, and identities. Most of all, I am delighted that you found your way to this space, and I would be honored to walk this path alongside you.