Elise Tuntland (they / them) is a licensed funeral director who has been working in deathcare since 2016. They are a graduate of the University of Twin Cities Mortuary Science program – and a former student of Angela’s! They are called to provide deathcare in an authentic, person-centered and environmentally conscious manner for their local community.
Over the course of their career, they have honed their technical skills for decedent care and have developed a passion for embalming and restorative arts to help provide meaningful farewells to family and friends alike. However, Elise is also dedicated to helping families spend time with their dead without the use of embalming chemicals or processes. They stand firmly in the belief that all families – both biological and chosen – have the right to see their loved ones in a way that provides meaning and the capacity to say farewell with dignity and respect for all involved.
Over the course of their career, Elise has developed a deep connection to their local community, especially for their migrant, immigrant, refugee, and indigent neighbors. They are equally an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and are an active member of QUORUM, Minnesota’s LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce. They aim to provide education and resources to under-served and under-represented populations with a drive toward socially conscious and equity-driven services. They strongly believe in the right to death with dignity regardless of race, creed, or financial status.
In addition, Elise has dedicated much of their career to working with parents and families experiencing pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and early infancy loss. They aim to provide an integrated continuum of care with all providers, from healthcare to social and mental health services, in order to provide a soft place to land in the wake of such a significant and often disenfranchised bereavement. Elise is currently pursuing certification with the International Partnership of Perinatal Excellence (IPPE) in dedication toward providing this continuum of care within the Twin Cities.