About Michele
Michele Little is a Certified Death Midwife who helps us prepare for the end of life at Beautiful Dying Company. Conducting monthly workshops online, called Exit Papers 101, Michele holds our hands as she helps prepare the essential final paperwork for the dying and the death - the medical directives, the family tree, the final wishes, funeral arrangements, the memorials and bequests.  Michele arrives at this calling the consummation of her history as a peace maker and life transformationalist, from leading women's empowerment circles to Shamanic drumming in Ireland. From directing corporate project management to supporting and honoring First Responders, and children worldwide. When Michele talks, things happen.
"Michele Little is a devoted and passionate soul who cares deeply about the well being of others. Her commitment to other people's growth and healing is authentic and fierce like a mama bear, and her willingness to be of true service to this world makes her a rare and special gem."
- Laura J. Swan
 Women's life and Leadership Coach, Author, Speaker

Why We Do It

Statistically we're seeing a big change in people talking more openly about dying and death from all age groups. This is amazing and we're just on the cusp of interesting turns of events enabling us to transform thoughts of fear of the unknown to questioning our immortality with grace and ease as we find new and innovative tools and resources that have the potential to bring more light into the conversation of living joyfully and full of love. Be a part of the unfoldment of our changing shift of consciousness.

How We Got Started

We realized that life and death are a continuum. We realized that now is the only moment we have, so we better make it the most precious moment we've got. People often think of dying and death as an unapproachable conversation. Only a small number of people are willing to talk about it. We wanted to change that. After researching the dying and death industry, we created Beautiful Dying to share our knowledge with others and to change the perception of dying and death. Now, we can help others plan out their dying experiences and so they can live every moment to the fullest.

Our Amazing Advisors

Karl Edward Steinberg, MD

Dr. Karl Steinberg is a Hospice and Palliative Medicine Physician and Long-term Care Geriatrician.  He has been a hospice and nursing home medical director in the San Diego area since 1995 and is currently Chief Medical Officer for Mariner Health Central and medical director at Life Care Center of Vista, Carlsbad by the Sea Care Center, and Hospice by the Sea. He received his bachelor’s in biochemistry from Harvard and studied medicine at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Steinberg then did his family medicine residency at UCSD. Dr. Steinberg is editor-in-of AMDA's monthly periodical, Caring for the Ages. He is a past chair of the Coalition for Compassionate Care of California and is active in advance care planning and palliative care initiatives, including education and public policy on a statewide and national level, also serving on the National POLST Paradigm and the National Quality Forum's standing committee on geriatric and palliative care. However, Dr. Steinberg is probably best known for taking his dogs on patient care rounds with him on most days.

Hugh Wunderman, Event Planner

Hugh Wunderman is an industry Veteran with over 30 years experience and has owned his own Boutique Entertainment business since 1980. He travels the globe providing Innovative solutions for unforgettable Meetings and Special Events; consistently delivered On Time and On Budget!  He is the sole owner of the boutique global Events & Entertainment Company "A Gala Event"- a division of Gala Creative Group International, LTD, based in NY.
Hugh’s extraordinary talent and creative abilities coupled with award- winning Event Services, have resulted in the production of some of the most unique and memorable, one-of-a-kind events that many guests have been fortunate to experience around the world. 
Hugh Wunderman
Senior Producer & Creative Director
Gala Creative Group International, Ltd,
A Gala Event, Wunderman Productions

Shawn LaValleur Adame - 

​Shawn LaValleur-Adamehas has worked in the Dying and Death Industry since 2006. She has seen this industry grow into quite a movement. Shawn created innovative ways to bring caseloads from 40 to 300 per month. The industry was watching. She opened up Argos Funeral Services with a past colleague creating extraordinary services like sending ashes to the moon and full body burials at sea. 
Shawn founded DIY Dying early 2018. She is trained as a Death Doula and Funeral Celebrant. DIY Dying is opening soon (Do It Yourself Dying.)  She offers full body green burials both in ground and at sea as well as cremation services. Her mission is to bring back the funeral service to the people and help those dying to die consciously. Death is not to be feared, for it is the last event in one’s life, so talk about it with your loved ones and make it special. 

Peter J. Gray, Business Consultant

Peter J. Gray Consulting, Inc.
​Business Consultant, Leadership Training and Development, Accountability Partner and Customized Training Design Working directly with individuals at all levels of organizations; from Executive Leadership, Managers, and Team Members, Peter helps identify learning gaps, training, and coaching opportunities to enhance company culture, productivity, and desired outcomes. By focusing on the connection between individual competencies, commitment, and goal accomplishment, Peter's twenty-plus years on the frontline to executive leadership, affords a partnering experience that is insightful, creative, and both personally and professionally meaningful.

 Adam Englund, Esq. 

Adam Englund, Esquire, has been in solo practice for over 30 years.  He handles transactions in the areas of business entity formation and operation, contracts, intellectual property, including trademarks, trade secrets and copyrights, many aspects of entertainment law and trust and estate planning.  In the estate planning arena, in addition to advanced healthcare directives, powers of attorney, reals estate transfers and wills, Adam represents individuals and families avoid probate altogether by preparing a revocable living trust.
Adam says, “The best bequest is to have your affairs in order”.

Penny Little 


​Penny Little - Producer and Project Shepherd - author, artist, musician, teacher, event organizer and film director on award winning movies and documentaries. Penny was signed as a singer songwriter to Warner Brothers UK.  She has recorded on numerous albums and toured the US, UK, Europe, and Japan with various musical projects.  Penny has facilitated creative arts workshops - music, drama, dance, and the arts - for children and adults in Japan, the UK, and the US. Penny's most recent book "Goodbye Yellow Butterfly" explores her grieving process after the death of her husband and musical partner Nik Green who died of cancer on March 13, 2016.

Elisa D. Kisselburg, Attorney At Law

Elisa Kisselburg, Attorney earned her Certification as a Specialist in Family Law in April, 2011. She is a frequent public speaker and has spoken at the California State Bar Association's Annual Conference on international custody issues and enforce-ability of international/intercultural marital agreements. In addition, Elisa has provided continuing legal education seminars for attorneys and therapists and is a frequent workshop presenter on the processes of family law and navigating through the court system for self-represented litigants. Elisa is proficient with the Collaborative Divorce model and is certified in Dispute Resolution by the State of Nebraska. She is a trained mediator and a past national winner in an American Bar Association Trial competition. Elisa has been honored as an outstanding
​Trial Advocate by the American Bar Association.

Carol Brouillet

Carol Brouillet has been working on peace and social justice issues for decades, while balancing the needs of a family.  Her efforts have focused on raising consciousness on many of the blind spots that threaten humanity.  She has learned that the most personal experiences are the most universal, and what binds all of us together. She has helped found organizations, produce events, films, radio shows, books, and other consciousness raising tools.