I'm Kristen Vermilyea.
I'm an interdisciplinary artist based in Zurich.


I am: a provocateur; a filmmaker, writer, artist, excessive ruminator, podcaster, performer, and death virgin, currently living in Zurich, Switzerland.
I love pumpkin pie, kaftans, feather boas, and driving fast.
From short films, to documentary features, performance and conceptual art, curating, researching and writing, to moderating, acting, voiceovers, and hosting a podcast, my portfolio is best described as that of an interdisciplinary artist always on the lookout for more artistic ways to express the concepts and ideas important to me.
At the moment, I'm making art about death and mourning, taboo, humor, and grief.
A new podcast exploring how to prepare for the death of a loved one.
Hi, I'm Kristen. I've never lost a close loved one, and that terrifies me.
Join me as I tackle the universal experience of death with humor, honesty, and sincere introspection.
Through personal stories, interviews, and my journey to becoming a death doula, I'll explore how we mourn and how to prepare for life's final chapter.
This podcast is for anyone curious about life, loss, and finding laughter along the way.
"Wonderful, substantial and entertaining podcast! My new fav!"
- Tilman E. - Switzerland
Rated 5 stars by listeners.
★★★★★
"I listened to your 1st podcast episode and I was thoroughly entertained!
I found you very charming, smart, witty, self-deprecating, and the stream of consciousness stuff was lovingly hilarious...
... I just wanted you to know that your podcast has a fan out here in NorCal and I look forward to listening to more episodes."
"Love the podcast!! Keep on talking, so important!"
- Heather M. - Massachusetts
- Dan J. - California
Yes, I’ve lost all my grandparents and several aunts and uncles. (We are not a close family.)
I’ve thought a lot about how I define “super close” when it comes to people in my life and how that definition might be different when dealing with their deaths. Does it have to be an immediate family member? A blood relative? A best friend? Someone I see or talk to daily / often? I don’t know, but I’m thinking about it and will explore it in the film.
**By age 18, 90% of people have experienced the death of a very close friend or relative.
*** An old friend once said that my lack of being able to internalize emotional things was akin to “Trying to experience love by making a rom-com”. Could be true, Nick.

