For Immediate Release
Waxwing Journeys                                      
Press Contact: Erica Reid Gerdes
773-562-1744
ericareid@gmail.com
www.waxwingjourneys.com/expo

Chicago End-of-Life Expo
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Noon-4pm
Sleeping Village
3734 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
21+ Venue
Suggested Donation: $20.00
https://sleeping-village.com/event/chicago-end-of-life-expo/

For Immediate Release: Death Workers Announce Chicago End-of-Life Expo

May 26, 2026—Local Death Doula Erica Reid Gerdes (she/her) of Waxwing Journeys is thrilled to announce the inaugural Chicago End-of-Life Expo on Saturday, September 26, 2026 from noon to 4pm. This event will be held at Sleeping Village located at 3734 W Belmont Street. The Expo will bring grief and loss practitioners, vendors, educational information, interactive art projects, and comedy under one roof to help demystify death and support attendees with end-of-life planning.

Co-producing the Chicago End-of-Life Expo are Becky Robison (she/her) of the website and book My Parents are Dead: What Now? and Emmy-nominated and WGA award winning comedy writer Alison Zeidman (she/her). Alison will be presenting her hour-long-stand up show/death planning extravaganza, Ready to Die?  Between the three producers, they have zero surviving parents. They want to help ease the stress of end-of-life planning so you and your loved ones can focus on what really matters in your final moments: love, grief, and tending to the heart.

Described as “a darkly funny guide to navigating grief and the paperwork that follows” by Salon.com and “A valuable resource to be consulted both before and after the death of a loved one” by Library Journal, My Parents Are Dead: What Now? A Panic-Free Guide to the Practicalities of Death by Becky Robison explains complex after-death processes without hideous legal jargon. Throughout the book, Becky walks you through everything you need to know with kindness, patience, and loads of wit. Becky will be signing copies of her book and encouraging you to “build a better sympathy card.”

Comedian Alison Zeidman (Archer, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Adam Ruins Everything)presents Ready to Die? directed by Ryan Cunningham. Determined to be better prepared for her own death than she was for her parents’, Alison shares stories from her experiences with not doing enough end-of-life planning with her parents; walks you through a comedic end-of-life planning 101; and gets her own affairs in order live on stage during the show. Afterwards, death doulas will be on hand to assist you through the process of creating your advance directives.

Founded in 2022, Waxwing Journeys is the life’s work of Erica Reid Gerdes. Erica is a Going with Grace trained, NEDA Proficient death and transition doula, focusing on memorial rituals/ remembrances, legacy work, facilitating family conversations around end of life, obituary writing, active end of life care, and cancer treatment support.  Erica loves speaking to groups about death and dying as well as mentoring newer death doulas to support the building of their practices.

The Chicago End-of-Life Expo will be open to the public, with a suggested donation of $20.00. Additional gratitude offerings will be accepted.

Sleeping Village is located at 3734 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood, accessible via the Belmont Blue Line station or the 77 Belmont Bus. Street parking is available.

For more information, or for sponsorship and tabling opportunities, please contact Erica Reid Gerdes at 773-562-1744 or ericareid@gmail.com. Event RSVPs can be made at https://sleeping-village.com/event/chicago-end-of-life-expo/

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