The Death Expert
Expert Guidance for Families Facing End-of-Life DecisionsWhen your family can’t agree on care. When hospice feels overwhelming.
When funeral decisions feel impossible.
We help families navigate end-of-life planning, hospice care, and funeral decisions with confidence, not confusion.
Serving: New York City, the Lower Hudson Valley areas of Westchester, Rockland, Putnam & Dutchess Counties NY | Fairfield County CT | Philadelphia | Washington DC | Tampa | Nationwide via virtual consultation
You’re Facing Decisions You’ve Never Had to Make Before
Adult children managing aging parents: Your siblings can’t agree on treatment. One wants aggressive care, another wants hospice. You’re stuck mediating while your parent suffers—and no one has documented what they actually want.
Terminal diagnosis or sudden decline: Your parent just got weeks to live. Doctors are recommending hospice. You don’t understand the difference between hospice and palliative care, and you’re terrified of making the wrong choice.
Funeral planning in crisis: Someone died and funeral homes are pressuring you to decide now. You don’t know what’s required versus optional, what anything should cost, or how to honor their wishes when nothing was written down.
You need expert guidance—not tomorrow, not after researching for weeks—now.
Our mission is to provide accessible, reliable, and comprehensive resources to individuals and families facing the complexities of death and its aftermath. We aim to empower them with knowledge, guidance, and tools to navigate end-of-life planning, funeral services, estate management, grief, and more.
At The Death Expert, we believe that everyone deserves to have their wishes honored, their grief acknowledged, and their journey through loss supported. We strive to break the societal taboos surrounding death and foster a culture where conversations about mortality are encouraged, valued, and normalized.
Through our educational content, personal stories, expert advice, and community engagement, we aim to reduce fear, stigma, and uncertainty surrounding death. We aspire to promote a compassionate and holistic approach to end-of-life care that encompasses emotional, practical, and spiritual aspects.
Ultimately, our vision is to create a world where individuals and their loved ones can face death with dignity, preparedness, and peace of mind, knowing that they have the resources and support to navigate this profound journey. Together, we can transform the death care landscape and cultivate a more compassionate and informed society.
Work with us
Setting the Table
Facilitated family conversations about end-of-life planning
Stop fighting about care. Start planning together.
One of our experts comes to your home and facilitates the conversation your family has been avoiding: around a shared meal, with professional guidance. You’ll address medical decisions, end-of-life and funeral preferences, and estate planning in a structured way that brings clarity instead of conflict.
Available: NY tri-state area, Philadelphia, DC, Tampa
End-of-Life Planning Consultation
Expert guidance for immediate or proactive planning
Get clear answers about hospice options, funeral planning, advance directives, and family communication—whether you’re in crisis this week or planning proactively for the future.
Available: NY tri-state area, Philadelphia, DC, Tampa or virtual (nationwide)
Monthly guidance for families managing long-term decline
For families navigating dementia, chronic illness, or complex end-of-life situations—consistent expert support as decisions evolve over months or years.
Our Origin Story
Meet Michelle Carter – Licensed Funeral Director & End-of-Life Planning Expert
Michelle Carter is a third-generation licensed funeral director with over 20 years of experience helping families navigate death, dying, and end-of-life planning.
With two decades in funeral service, Michelle left the funeral home industry to focus on what families need most: unbiased expert guidance before crisis forces rushed decisions.
Credentials:
- Licensed Funeral Director, New York State
- Certified Grief Counselor
- End-of-Life Planning Coach
- Award-winning Crisis Communications Specialist
What makes The Death Expert different:
Michelle doesn’t own a funeral home. She’s not affiliated with any medical facility. She has no financial stake in which funeral home you choose, which hospice program you select, or wthe final disposition you choose.
She empowers you to work effectively with medical teams and funeral professionals by helping you understand what you’re being told, what choices you have, and what questions matter most.
When you work with The Death Expert, you get:
- Michelle’s expertise and advocacy (navigating hospice, funeral planning, family dynamics)
- Access to a vetted network (estate attorneys, grief counselors, licensed funeral directors nationwide)
- One relationship, complete support
How to Get Started
1. Book a Free Discovery Call
15-minute conversation to understand your situation and determine if we’re a good fit. No pressure, no sales pitch.
2. Choose Your Service
Based on your needs: facilitated family conversation, immediate consultation, or ongoing support.
3. Get Expert Guidance
Work directly with Michelle or one of her trained, licensed funeral directors to navigate your decisions with confidence.
F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is your website so dark?
Most of our visitors find us in the overnight hours, presumably when they’re having trouble sleeping. Our website is intentionally muted, so as not to blast these users with the bright light of a white page.
Do you conduct funerals?
Yes and No. Our goal is to educate consumers well, so they can make intelligent decisions about end of life, dying well, and funeral and estate planning. We also work with a network of suggested providers for these services. Several of our experts are licensed funeral directors and can direct funerals, however they do it through existing funeral homes, not their own.
We are happy to help you shop your local funeral providers so you can find the funeral home that is the best cultural and financial fit for you. We are also happy to work with you as celebrants and event planners when a death occurs, but in most states you will still be required to contract with a registered funeral home for certain services.
The Death Expert and its affiliates have no direct relationship with any funeral home and do not earn commissions from any funeral home or funeral entity.