In a world where tradition often overshadows innovation, the funeral industry is undergoing a quiet but impactful revolution, driven by voices that dare to question the status quo. Social media has become a powerful tool for education, advocacy, and transparency in deathcare, offering families new options and insights during one of life’s most challenging moments.

As a funeral service professional deeply rooted in this transformation, I want to shine a light on the influencers who are changing the conversation about death, burial, and cremation—making the industry more accessible, eco-friendly, and compassionate.

The Rise of Social Media in Deathcare Education

Death and dying were once topics reserved for whispers, but platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and blogs have opened the door to broader conversations. These influencers have embraced the opportunity to share their knowledge, bridging the gap between traditional funeral homes and modern consumers. Through their work, they've advocated for transparency, eco-friendly alternatives, and consumer empowerment.

Their voices are helping families make informed decisions, shifting the industry toward more sustainable and personal practices.

Pioneers in Green Burial Advocacy

Caitlin Doughty (@TheGoodDeath)

Caitlin Doughty, a funeral director and author, is one of the most recognizable faces in the death positivity movement. Her “Ask a Mortician” series on YouTube brings humor and humanity to taboo topics, including decomposition, alternative burial practices, and green funerals. Caitlin’s work has made deathcare more approachable and sparked global conversations about sustainable funeral options.

Elizabeth Fournier (@TheGreenReaper)

Known as “The Green Reaper,” Elizabeth Fournier champions green burial as an alternative to traditional funerals. Her book, The Green Burial Guidebook, provides practical advice for families seeking environmentally friendly end-of-life options. Elizabeth's advocacy continues to inspire families and professionals alike to consider greener choices.

Melissa Meadow (@The_Modern_Mortician)

As a co-founder of Green Cremation Texas and a funeral director dedicated to transparency, Melissa Meadow worked to make eco-conscious options like green burial and alkaline hydrolysis more accessible. Alongside Kermit, the first therapy dog in funeral service in Texas, her work centers on creating compassionate, sustainable end-of-life experiences for families.

Educators in Alkaline Hydrolysis (Water Cremation)

Joe Wilson (Bio-Response Solutions)

Joe Wilson’s expertise lies in developing the technology behind alkaline hydrolysis, also known as water cremation. His company, Bio-Response Solutions, is a leader in this field, and his educational efforts have helped funeral homes adopt this greener cremation method.

Jeff Jorgenson (Elemental Cremation & Burial)

As the founder of Elemental Cremation & Burial in Seattle, Jeff Jorgenson has been a vocal advocate for water cremation. Through blogs and social media, Jeff explains the environmental benefits of this process and why it’s a better option for the planet.

Recompose (@Recompose_Life)

Recompose, a company specializing in human composting, has also helped educate the public about alkaline hydrolysis. By promoting sustainable deathcare practices across social media, Recompose has broadened awareness of alternative methods like water cremation.

Influencers Shaping Funeral Industry Ethics and Transparency

Kari Northey (@KariTheMortician)

Kari Northey’s approachable YouTube videos offer an insider’s perspective on funeral care. Her transparency about costs, processes, and consumer rights has empowered families to navigate the funeral industry with confidence.

Caleb Wilde (@CalebWilde)

Caleb Wilde’s candid and often humorous approach to deathcare on social media has helped normalize conversations about death and grief. As a sixth-generation funeral director, he uses his platform to challenge misconceptions about the funeral profession.

Barbara Kemmis (Cremation Association of North America)

Barbara Kemmis leads CANA’s efforts to educate funeral professionals and families about cremation, including eco-friendly options like water cremation. Her advocacy has been instrumental in driving change within the industry.

From the timeline of 2016 to 2020:

Here are 10 influential social media personalities that actively teach and advocate for green burial practices:

1. Caitlin Doughty (@TheGoodDeath)
   Creator of the "Ask a Mortician" series on YouTube, Caitlin Doughty is a prominent advocate for natural deathcare and green burials. She also founded The Order of the Good Death, an organization that promotes death positivity and environmentally friendly burial options.
2. Melissa Meadow (@The_Modern_Mortician)
   Known online as The Modern Mortician, Melissa Meadow was a key figure in promoting green burial and natural deathcare, offering insights and education through social media platforms and public presentations.
3. Elizabeth Fournier (@TheGreenReaper)
   Known as “The Green Reaper,” Elizabeth Fournier is an outspoken advocate for green burials and home funerals. She’s the author of The Green Burial Guidebook and shares practical advice on social media and her blog.
4. Sarah Chavez (@TheGoodDeath)
   As a co-founder of The Order of the Good Death, Sarah Chavez is a voice in the death positivity movement, often discussing the cultural implications of death, dying, and eco-friendly burial options.
5. Kari Northey (@KariTheMortician)
   Kari Northey, a licensed funeral director and embalmer, shares educational content on YouTube and Instagram, focusing on various funeral practices, including green burial, home funerals, and the impact of traditional funerals on the environment.
6. Recompose (@Recompose_Life)
   Recompose, founded by Katrina Spade, is a human composting company that teaches about natural organic reduction (NOR). They actively share information on their Instagram and other social media platforms about this alternative green burial option.
7. Amy Cunningham (@AmyCunninghamFD)
   Amy Cunningham is a licensed funeral director based in Brooklyn who advocates for green burial and home funerals. She often shares educational content through her blog and social media about environmentally friendly deathcare.
8. Shaina Garfield (@ShainaGarfield)
   An eco-conscious designer, Shaina Garfield created a biodegradable coffin, "Leaves," that supports green burials. She uses social media to promote the environmental benefits of green burial and sustainable design.
9. Lee Webster (@LeeWebster)
   Lee Webster is a well-known author and advocate for home funerals and green burial. She shares educational content about natural deathcare practices and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional funerals.
10. The Green Burial Council (@GreenBurialCouncil)
    While not a singular personality, the Green Burial Council is a key resource on social media for promoting and educating the public about the standards of green burial. They certify green cemeteries and funeral homes, sharing their mission widely on platforms like Instagram and Twitter.

These influencers and organizations played a significant role in educating the public and raising awareness about green burials through various social media platforms.

Here’s a list of 10 influential social media personalities and advocates in funeral care from 2016 to 2020, who were key voices in promoting discussions about funeral practices, death positivity, and alternative burial methods:

1. Caitlin Doughty (@TheGoodDeath)
   Caitlin continued to be one of the most prominent voices in funeral care during these years. Her "Ask a Mortician" YouTube series and work with The Order of the Good Death remained central to the death positivity movement, challenging conventional funeral industry practices.
2. Elizabeth Fournier (@TheGreenReaper)
   Elizabeth Fournier’s work as "The Green Reaper" gained momentum during this time. She advocated for green burials and authored The Green Burial Guidebook, becoming a well-known figure in the eco-friendly funeral care community.
3. Melissa Meadow (@The_Modern_Mortician)
   Melissa Meadow was a trailblazer and played a significant role during this period, actively advocating for natural deathcare and green burial, while sharing her experiences as a funeral director. Her voice and presence in the industry grew, emphasizing transparency and eco-conscious practices.
4. Jeff Jorgenson (Elemental Cremation & Burial)
   Jeff Jorgenson became a key advocate for green funerals, especially with his Seattle-based company, Elemental Cremation & Burial. His focus on water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis) and green burial practices gained attention during these years.
5. Kari Northey (@KariTheMortician)
   Kari Northey’s educational YouTube channel grew in popularity during this time. She provided insight into the funeral industry from the perspective of a funeral director, discussing embalming, cremation, and green burial options.
6. Lauren LeRoy (@LittleMissFuneral)
   Lauren LeRoy, aka Little Miss Funeral, was a young funeral director who used her blog and YouTube channel to discuss funeral care from a personal and professional standpoint. She shared tips for aspiring funeral directors and answered common questions about funeral services.
7. Caleb Wilde (@CalebWilde)
   Caleb Wilde’s blog and social media presence as a sixth-generation funeral director became increasingly influential between 2016 and 2020. His book Confessions of a Funeral Director and his candid, sometimes humorous posts about the funeral industry resonated with a wide audience.
8. Jeffrey Tucker (Choice Mutual)
   Jeffrey Tucker, through Choice Mutual, became a notable voice for discussing funeral insurance and financial planning for funerals. His company also provided educational resources about end-of-life planning, funeral costs, and how to navigate the industry.
9. Brian & Ryan (@UndertakingThePodcast)
   Brian and Ryan, co-hosts of Undertaking: The Podcast, became an influential voice through his interviews and discussions with industry professionals about modern funeral practices, challenges, and the future of the industry.
10. Louise Winter (@LifeDeathWhatever)
    Louise Winter, a funeral director and the founder of Poetic Endings, used her platform Life. Death. Whatever. to explore creative approaches to funerals, death care, and grieving. She was a prominent advocate for meaningful and personalized funeral experiences during this period.

The Impact of Influencers on the Funeral Industry

These individuals are more than just educators; they are changemakers, advocating for sustainable, transparent, and compassionate practices. Thanks to their work:

• Green burial and water cremation have gained visibility as viable alternatives to traditional methods.
• Families are more informed about their rights and options, empowering them to make choices that align with their values.
• The funeral industry has been challenged to innovate and adapt to modern consumer demands.

Through their efforts, the once-taboo topic of deathcare is now being discussed openly, creating a more inclusive and sustainable future for the industry.