
Thank You to everyone who came out to the Inaugural Before I Die Festival Cincinnati 2025!
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We enjoyed a dynamic, heartfelt and lively time together. The attendees were exceptional - you all truly made the day what it was.
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Stay tuned for the Second Annual Before I Die Festival Cincinnati!! Shelby & Jen are inspired and encouraged to offer deep and impactful death education to the Cincinnati region.
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With love and deep appreciation for all who participated,
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Shelby Mundy & Jen Blalock
Event Co-Hosts
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Jen Blalock & Shelby Mundy
Meet Your Festival Hosts Jen Blalock and Shelby Mundy.
They met in 2023 while Jen was the death doula for her husband, Nick, who died of cancer in August of 2024. Nick’s death experience was extraordinary – it was difficult, sad, beautiful and energetically potent. It’s as if Nick was teaching us how the death passage could serve to educate people about their own eventual death and how to do it with minimal fear.
Shelby was deeply impacted by her beloved husband’s experience and she became a death doula. She and her three young children are actively grieving Nick’s death and she will be sharing her experiences.
Jen and Shelby’s friendship has bonded in the midst of doing deathcare work. They have combined their talents to bring you this unique and heartfelt festival experience.

About the Festival
The Before I Die Festival Cincinnati is inspired by festivals of the same name (there's no trademark) in other US cities. We’re bringing our unique version to Cincinnati — shaped through the lens of death doulas, grief workers, mental health professionals, and advocates for green burial.
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Our vision is simple but profound: to open a space where fear of death softens, wholeness grows, and honest conversation helps us live with greater clarity and love.
Our intention is to offer a Before I Die Festival each year and to expand our themes and topics as we get to know our audience. We would like to offer events throughout the year to provide a steady source of death education in our region.
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We invite you to join us and be part of our growing community.





