OG Funeral Influencers, 2016 - 2020;
Those that paved the way for today's "Funeraltainer."
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:
- 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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:
- 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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.
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Kristle and The Spirit of Nature
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New Hampshire In New Hampshire, the land itself tells a story of endurance, granite ledges, maple forests, and quiet fields that have held generations of families. It’s no surprise that many here are drawn to green burial, a practice that reflects the state’s independent spirit and deep respect for nature. Whether resting beneath sugar maples in autumn or beside a field of mountain laurel, natural burial connects people to the same landscape they cherished in life. It’s a simple, sincere return to the elements, free from chemicals, vaults, and excess, where the body nourishes the land, and the land, in turn, offers peace. 🌿Lotus and Lavender Natural Burial (in progress) - Portsmouth, NH Nestled in the heart of New Hampshire’s Seacoast region, Lotus & Lavender Natural Burial is leading the charge toward a more peaceful, eco-conscious way of returning to the earth. As a 501(c)(13) nonprofit cemetery organization, they are dedicated to creating a true natural burial ground, one where the cycle of life continues uninterrupted, and the land remains protected for generations to come. They’re cur rently looking for land to establish this sanctuary and are inviting the community to be part of this next step. Here’s what they need to get started: 🌾 At least 3 acres in a rural or semi-rural setting ☀️ Mostly cleared land is ideal 📍 Within 30 minutes of Portsmouth (preferred) 💧 No wetlands within 100 ft A gift, sale, or long-term lease of lan d to Lotus & Lavender comes with many benefits, including contributing to a legacy of conservation and community service. All discussions are confidential and handled with care. If you or someone you know has land that might be a fit, reach out and help make New Hampshire’s next natural burial ground a reality. 🌸 If there isn’t a green burial ground nearby, many of New Hampshire’s small-town or church cemeteries are open to dialogue about becoming “hybrid.” Start by speaking with cemetery trustees or the town’s selectboard to ask if bylaws allow for vault waivers or biodegradable caskets. Offer to share examples from nearby states or from local conservation groups that have helped establish natural sections. New Hampshire’s strong tradition of local control means community support carries weight, gathering signatures or hosting an informational session can show genuine public interest. With respectful collaboration, even long-established cemeteries can evolve to honor both tradition and the environment that defines the Granite State. If you want information on how to start your own natural burial cemetery, or you want to make me aware of another green, natural, or hybrid cemetery in this state, please reach out!
Oklahoma 🌿Green Tree Burial Ground - Mead, OK 🌿Green Haven Cemetery - Stillwater, OK If you want information on how to start your own natural burial cemetery, or you want to make me aware of another green, natural, or hybrid cemetery in this state, please reach out!
Missouri Missouri’s rolling hills, oak forests, and winding rivers have long reflected the rhythm of renewal. Here, green burial feels like a homecoming, simple, grounded, and full of meaning. Families across the state are rediscovering that death care can be both traditional and natural, honoring loved ones without the need for embalming, vaults, or excess. From the Ozark highlands to the fertile plains of the north, Missourians are choosing to return to the earth just as their ancestors did, wrapped in cloth, laid beneath trees, and surrounded by life. It’s a quiet act of love, rooted in the soil that has always sustained them. 🌿Green Acres Natural Burial Cemetery - Rocheport, MO In Missouri, Green Acres, also known as Pushing Up Daisies Inc., was created to give families “the ultimate way of going green.” As a natural burial ground, the cemetery allows only biodegradable materials: no embalming, no metal, no plastic, and no concrete vaults. Its mission is clear, protect the land, air, and water while providing affordable, compassionate burial options. Green Acres was founded on the belief that traditional funerals are often too expensive and environmentally harmful. Here, families can choose natural burial at a fraction of the cost of conventional practices, with flexible payment options and straightforward care. Everything at Green Acres is designed to preserve the earth: graves must use biodegradable containers or shrouds, vaults and liners are prohibited, and only natural flat rocks can be used as markers. The cemetery maintains full stewardship of the grounds, ensuring trails, plantings, and burials blend into the landscape. By choosing Green Acres, families eliminate confusion about their wishes, avoid unnecessary costs, and leave a final act of care for the planet. It’s not just a resting place, it’s a statement of responsibility and love. For Missouri, Green Acres stands as a beacon of what’s possible: an active, dedicated natural burial ground where remembrance and conservation walk hand in hand. 🌿Bellfontaine Cemetery & Arboretum (hybrid) - St. Louis, MO Green burial is permitted throughout all of Bellefontaine Cemetery, whether on a new or existing family lot, or a single grave in a public lot. Individuals can choose to mix green burial options with traditional burial practices to meet specific wishes and desires. For example, one may choose to be un-embalmed, in a shroud, biodegradable, is slower in its return to the earth than a shroud or simple casket. 🌿Zion Cemetery (hybrid) - St. Louis, MO At Zion Cemetery, we take great pride in being one of the few Green Burial Council certified cemeteries in St. Louis. Our commitment to sustainability and environmental preservation sets us apart, providing a meaningful alternative to traditional burial methods. By choosing a green burial at Zion Cemetery, you contribute to a more eco-friendly and natural end-of-life process, leaving a lasting legacy of care for our planet. If your community doesn’t yet have a designated green burial ground, start by reaching out to local cemetery caretakers or boards to discuss creating a natural or hybrid section. Missouri’s agricultural roots make this concept easy to embrace, land stewardship is part of the culture. Ask about existing requirements for vaults or embalming; many small-town cemeteries can amend bylaws with community support. Share examples of successful hybrid models across the Midwest and resources from the Green Burial Council. By working together, you can help transform traditional cemeteries into sanctuaries that celebrate Missouri’s connection to nature and the cycle of life. If you want information on how to start your own natural burial cemetery, or you want to make me aware of another green, natural, or hybrid cemetery in this state, please reach out!
Montana In Montana, the land feels limitless, mountains rise into the clouds, rivers carve through valleys, and the horizon seems to stretch forever. It’s a place where life and nature are inseparable, and where many Montanans are rediscovering burial traditions that reflect that harmony. Green burial here offers a quiet, grounded return to the earth, without the intrusion of chemicals or concrete. Each natural burial restores life to the land, echoing the rugged simplicity and reverence for nature that defines the Big Sky State. Whether in prairie grasslands or pine forests, Montana’s open spaces remind us that returning to the soil is the most natural act of all. 🌿Mountainview Cemetery (hybrid) - City of Billings, Billings, MT Available in Mountview Cemetery selectively. It's not much, but it's a start. If your community doesn’t yet have a natural burial ground, start by speaking with caretakers or local cemetery boards about adding a “green section.” Montana’s vast landscapes and rural culture make this especially practical, no vaults or heavy maintenance are needed. Ask about existing bylaws regarding vaults or embalming; many can be amended through board approval. Offer examples of hybrid cemeteries in similar climates across the West to demonstrate how simple policy changes can create eco-friendly options. By encouraging dialogue and sharing resources from the Green Burial Council, you can help Montana cemeteries evolve their practices to honor the land’s natural beauty while preserving it for generations to come. If you want information on how to start your own natural burial cemetery, or you want to make me aware of another green, natural, or hybrid cemetery in this state, please reach out!
Nevada 🌿 If you want information on how to start your own natural burial cemetery, or you want to make me aware of another green, natural, or hybrid cemetery in this state, please reach out!
New Jersey Known as the Garden State, New Jersey has always held a deep reverence for its landscapes, rolling farmlands, pine forests, and coastal meadows. Green burial here feels like a return to the state’s original promise: harmony between people and place. As urban and suburban communities seek more meaningful, sustainable ways to honor life’s end, natural burial is quietly taking root. Families are rediscovering that simplicity, no embalming, no vaults, no polished metal, can be profoundly beautiful. Whether in the hills of Hunterdon County or near the salt air of the Shore, New Jersey’s green burial movement is reminding families that true peace lies in returning gently to the earth. 🌿Steelmantown Cemetery - Woodbine, NJ Tucked in the Pine Barrens of Cape May County, Steelmantown Cemetery is one of the oldest continually operating natural burial grounds in the country. With burials dating back to the 1700s, this sacred woodland has been restored as a conservation cemetery, where the forest itself is both sanctuary and memorial. Steelmantown permits only biodegradable caskets or shrouds, no embalming, and no vaults or liners. Graves are dug by hand, and families are invited to take part in the process of lowering and covering their loved one, adding to the intimacy and meaning of the farewell. Markers are natural and modest, often simple wooden or stone pieces that allow the forest to remain the focus. Over time, each resting place blends back into the landscape, supporting the ecological health of the Pine Barrens. Once nearly abandoned, Steelmantown was lovingly restored to preserve its heritage and to create a model for how burial grounds can also serve as conservation spaces. Today, it stands as a testament to both history and sustainability, offering New Jersey families a natural way to return to the earth. 🌿Rosemont Cemetery (hybrid) - Rosemont, NJ The Rosemont Cemetery Association is committed to providing quality end of life choices to meet the needs of all in the community it serves while enhancing the Cemetery’s natural beauty and heritage. As such, in addition to providing traditional burial spaces, on Earth Day 2017, the Cemetery unveiled its newest section, the Rosemont Memorial Garden and Natural Burial Area. This opening represents the culmination of years of work to create a meaningful, well-thought out area where those wishing to lessen the environmental impact of burial can choose to rest. Much thought was put into the design of the Rosemont Memorial Garden and Natural Burial Area, which sits at the bottom of the hill, bordered on one side by beautiful woodlands and on another side by a farm field. The concept of this burial area is to provide a peaceful place for loved ones to visit and that is inviting to the community; to those that have loved ones buried here, as well as to those that simply want to find a space of peaceful quiet reflection. The graves in the Memorial Garden are laid out in a series of concentric circles, with the circles representing the circle of life and the community that surrounds the Cemetery. This design concept represents a paradigm shift from the traditional rectangular grave layouts to a more natural layout. To bring natural burial options to your area, start by opening a conversation with local cemetery trustees or sextons. Many New Jersey cemeteries, even historic ones, are finding ways to adapt by offering hybrid sections that allow biodegradable caskets and vault-free burials. Share examples such as Steelmantown Cemetery or Maryrest Cemetery’s natural section to illustrate how successful these integrations can be. Emphasize that adding green options doesn’t require an overhaul, just flexibility in policy and a willingness to meet changing family values. Suggest hosting a community talk or workshop to gauge interest and show that offering green burial isn’t just an environmental choice, it’s an act of stewardship and renewal in the Garden State. If you want information on how to start your own natural burial cemetery, or you want to make me aware of another green, natural, or hybrid cemetery in this state, please reach out!
New Mexico In New Mexico, where the vast sky meets mesas painted in red and gold, death is seen not as an ending but as a return. The desert has always been a place of stillness, ceremony, and transformation—and green burial fits naturally within that rhythm. Here, simplicity carries deep spiritual resonance. Families choosing natural burial find meaning in allowing the body to return to the earth without barriers, nourishing the same land that sustained generations before them. From the high desert to the mountain foothills, green burial in New Mexico honors the harmony between human life and the timeless landscape that holds it. 🌿La Puerta Natural Burial Grounds - Belen, NM Just outside Belen, New Mexico, lies La Puerta Natural Burial Ground, the s tate’s first and only conservation burial cemetery. Tucked within nearly 40 acres of desert landscape, this site offers families the chance to return their loved ones to the earth in a way that is both simple and sustainable. La Puerta requires no embalming, no vaults, and only biodegradable burial containers. Graves are hand-dug, and natural markers like local stones are used so that over time, the land remains undisturbed and wild. Families may take part in the burial process, making the farewell deeply personal. Each burial helps conserve the fragile high desert ecosystem, ensuring that native plants and wildlife thrive. This is burial that doesn’t just avoid harm, but actively contributes to land protection and ecological health. For families in New Mexico, La Puerta represents a return to older traditions, burial that is straightforward, affordable, and connected to place. Here, loved ones are laid to rest beneath open skies and mesas, becoming part of the desert’s living cycle. If your community doesn’t yet have a green burial ground, begin by reaching out to caretakers or boards of existing cemeteries. Many traditional cemeteries are open to dedicating a section for natural burials once they understand the process and benefits. Share examples of desert-friendly practices such as using local stone markers, drought-tolerant native plants, and biodegradable materials suited for arid climates. Present the ecological and cultural value, reducing concrete use, preserving water, and respecting Indigenous understandings of the land. By working collaboratively, you can help transform existing cemeteries into places that both honor tradition and embrace New Mexico’s enduring connection to the natural world, If you want information on how to start your own natural burial cemetery, or you want to make me aware of another green, natural, or hybrid cemetery in this state, please reach out!
