The National Home Funeral Alliance is a 501(C)3 educational nonprofit that runs on volunteer fuel. Board work takes time and energy, inspiration and follow-through, but those who answer the call ensure that the organization doesn’t just continue to exist, but that it thrives. Can you see yourself stretching just a bit to join this part of the effort to spread the word about home funerals? Contact the President for information about throwing your hat into the ring when board seats are filled annually. Bring your mad skills!
Our Board Members 2025
Elreacy Dock, DBH, D.Th - President
she/her
Las Vegas, Nevada
[email protected]
Elreacy is a thanatologist, death educator, and certified grief educator with a background in global and behavioral health. Her multidisciplinary approach aims to advance public awareness while facilitating and contributing to critical discourse surrounding death, dying, and bereavement in our world. She is especially passionate about dismantling barriers that prevent access to equitable bereavement care and deathcare.
Outside of her work with NHFA, Elreacy serves as a member of the council at the Association for the Study of Death and Society (ASDS). She is also the Department Chair and Professor of Thanatology at Capstone University, where she established a thanatology program that prepares and empowers spiritual care practitioners to serve as compassionate leaders in end-of-life care and bereavement support. You can connect with her on social media @elreacydock.
[email protected]
Elreacy is a thanatologist, death educator, and certified grief educator with a background in global and behavioral health. Her multidisciplinary approach aims to advance public awareness while facilitating and contributing to critical discourse surrounding death, dying, and bereavement in our world. She is especially passionate about dismantling barriers that prevent access to equitable bereavement care and deathcare.
Outside of her work with NHFA, Elreacy serves as a member of the council at the Association for the Study of Death and Society (ASDS). She is also the Department Chair and Professor of Thanatology at Capstone University, where she established a thanatology program that prepares and empowers spiritual care practitioners to serve as compassionate leaders in end-of-life care and bereavement support. You can connect with her on social media @elreacydock.
Anna Jordan, Treasurer
she/her
Everett, Washington
anna@homefuneralalliance.org
Anna is a funeral celebrant and licensed funeral director who graduated from Wesleyan University as an Art Studio major with a minor in Environmental Science. But it was in her many years in hospitality that Anna found great satisfaction in creating, facilitating and holding space for quality human connection. As event coordinator for a restored, gigantic barn in Vermont (lots of weddings), she felt a strong urge to change her focus to funerals. Anna received her certification as a Funeral Celebrant and started Ritual Arrangements in 2020. When the pandemic put a stop to gatherings, she decided to pursue the intern track offered by the State of WA to become a licensed funeral director, where she found her life's calling in tending to the body with reverence and care, holding space for grief in its many faces, and creating ceremonies and crafting rituals that help process the passing.
anna@homefuneralalliance.org
Anna is a funeral celebrant and licensed funeral director who graduated from Wesleyan University as an Art Studio major with a minor in Environmental Science. But it was in her many years in hospitality that Anna found great satisfaction in creating, facilitating and holding space for quality human connection. As event coordinator for a restored, gigantic barn in Vermont (lots of weddings), she felt a strong urge to change her focus to funerals. Anna received her certification as a Funeral Celebrant and started Ritual Arrangements in 2020. When the pandemic put a stop to gatherings, she decided to pursue the intern track offered by the State of WA to become a licensed funeral director, where she found her life's calling in tending to the body with reverence and care, holding space for grief in its many faces, and creating ceremonies and crafting rituals that help process the passing.
Penny Waugh
she/her
San Diego, California
[email protected]
Penny was drawn to the natural death care industry as she began to contemplate her own mortality. As she gained a deeper understanding of the standard funeral processes we often default to in Western society, she was alarmed at the lack of natural options that were available. Penny soon found herself on the road to becoming a UVM certified end-of-life doula and a new-found passion for creating conversation about dying on our own terms. Along with volunteering for TIP (Trauma Intervention Programs) and hosting Death Cafe gatherings, she's the founder of The Death Network, an online death-positive community that inspires honest, creative conversation around grief, dying and death. Join the conversation on Instagram @thedeathnetwork.
[email protected]
Penny was drawn to the natural death care industry as she began to contemplate her own mortality. As she gained a deeper understanding of the standard funeral processes we often default to in Western society, she was alarmed at the lack of natural options that were available. Penny soon found herself on the road to becoming a UVM certified end-of-life doula and a new-found passion for creating conversation about dying on our own terms. Along with volunteering for TIP (Trauma Intervention Programs) and hosting Death Cafe gatherings, she's the founder of The Death Network, an online death-positive community that inspires honest, creative conversation around grief, dying and death. Join the conversation on Instagram @thedeathnetwork.
Michaelene Dowers
she/her
Chattanooga, TN
[email protected]
With nearly a decade of experience as a funeral director in numerous states across the country, Michaelene is experienced at navigating the many variations in funeral service law and protocol found throughout the United States. She currently holds certifications and/or licenses as a funeral director and embalmer in multiple states.
Other qualifications include an A.S. in mortuary science, a B.A. in religious studies, an M.A. in emergency/crisis management, and an M.A. in thanatology (study of death and dying, grief, loss and bereavement). In 2023, Michaelene received her Fellow in Thanatology from ADEC and is now in a PhD program focusing her studies on the loss experience. Michaelene formerly worked as a professor at multiple mortuary colleges at both the associate and bachelors degree levels, as well as currently a visiting lecturer in funeral service at other colleges and end-of-life conferences nationwide.
[email protected]
With nearly a decade of experience as a funeral director in numerous states across the country, Michaelene is experienced at navigating the many variations in funeral service law and protocol found throughout the United States. She currently holds certifications and/or licenses as a funeral director and embalmer in multiple states.
Other qualifications include an A.S. in mortuary science, a B.A. in religious studies, an M.A. in emergency/crisis management, and an M.A. in thanatology (study of death and dying, grief, loss and bereavement). In 2023, Michaelene received her Fellow in Thanatology from ADEC and is now in a PhD program focusing her studies on the loss experience. Michaelene formerly worked as a professor at multiple mortuary colleges at both the associate and bachelors degree levels, as well as currently a visiting lecturer in funeral service at other colleges and end-of-life conferences nationwide.
Dr. Kailey Bradley, Ph.d., LPCC-S, NCC, FT
she/her
Ashland, Ohio
[email protected]
Kailey is a licensed counselor, counselor-educator, and holds designation as a fellow in thanatology through the Association for Death Educators and Counselors. Kailey has a background as a hospice bereavement coordinator and currently co-owns her own counseling practice where she specializes in support for grieving children and families. Currently, Kailey also teaches courses at Marian University in their online thanatology program including childhood bereavement, pediatric hospice care, and expressive arts in counseling. Kailey recently obtained a doctorate from Ohio University in counselor education and works diligently to create spaces for grief-informed care, death positivity, and hospitality in all her courses and trainings.
[email protected]
Kailey is a licensed counselor, counselor-educator, and holds designation as a fellow in thanatology through the Association for Death Educators and Counselors. Kailey has a background as a hospice bereavement coordinator and currently co-owns her own counseling practice where she specializes in support for grieving children and families. Currently, Kailey also teaches courses at Marian University in their online thanatology program including childhood bereavement, pediatric hospice care, and expressive arts in counseling. Kailey recently obtained a doctorate from Ohio University in counselor education and works diligently to create spaces for grief-informed care, death positivity, and hospitality in all her courses and trainings.
Michelle Sanders
she/her
Knoxville, TN
[email protected]
[email protected]
Michelle is a certified death doula, published writer, trained practical herbalist, and an advocate for home funerals and natural burials. Michelle's background includes biophysical and forensic anthropology, German and Slavic studies, TESOL education, event planning, massage therapy, and holistic health. She is a member of the NHFA Speaker's Bureau and Community Education committees, and has a special interest in supporting the LGBTQIA+ and Special Needs communities. Michelle is part of the Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center community, the first contemporary Green cemetery in Tennessee, and a member of its Natural Burial Preserve Committee. She also independently leads cemetery cleanups and burial identification projects.
Brittany Fuquea
she/her
Brittany is a NEDA proficient end-of-life doula, hospice volunteer, and interreligious minister through the Universal Life Church. She is completing her MSSc degree, specializing in Death Education & Equity at Antioch University. Brittany is passionate about building community relationships and advocating for equity in EOL choices, access, and care.
Our Staff
Alexis Hughes
she/hers
Chattanooga, TN
[email protected]
Alexis has dedicated her career to reshaping how we approach death, dying, and after-death care. As a death doula and Board Member of the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA), she has worked closely with individuals and families to create more compassionate, informed, and empowered end-of-life experiences. With an Executive MBA in Strategic Leadership, Alexis brings a strong background in nonprofit development, fundraising, and organizational growth to her role as Executive Director of the National Home Funeral Alliance. She has spent years advocating for systemic change in end-of-life care, focusing on education, community outreach, and strengthening support networks for those seeking alternatives to conventional end of life practices.
Beyond her work with NHFA, Alexis continues to provide guidance as a death doula to foster open, fearless conversations about death and dying. Connect with her on social media @withoutfeardoula.
[email protected]
Alexis has dedicated her career to reshaping how we approach death, dying, and after-death care. As a death doula and Board Member of the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA), she has worked closely with individuals and families to create more compassionate, informed, and empowered end-of-life experiences. With an Executive MBA in Strategic Leadership, Alexis brings a strong background in nonprofit development, fundraising, and organizational growth to her role as Executive Director of the National Home Funeral Alliance. She has spent years advocating for systemic change in end-of-life care, focusing on education, community outreach, and strengthening support networks for those seeking alternatives to conventional end of life practices.
Beyond her work with NHFA, Alexis continues to provide guidance as a death doula to foster open, fearless conversations about death and dying. Connect with her on social media @withoutfeardoula.
View Previous Board Members.
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