The Green Burial Council is comprised of two distinct nonprofit entities. Both work together to further the movement toward more sustainable burial practices and to support those who are actively engaged in green burial activities. Board members share a strong commitment to volunteer service and dedicate their skills and experience to further the mission of the Green Burial Council.
The Green Burial Council, Inc., a 501(c)(6) certification and provider support organization, oversees certification conducted by independent third-party experts, and maintains up-to-date certification standards for cemeteries, funeral homes, and product providers. The Green Burial Council International, a 501(c)(3) educational and outreach organization, develops educational materials and opportunities for providers and the public to learn more about natural burial.
Those interested in becoming involved with the Green Burial Council are asked to fill out our volunteer application here.
The Green Burial Council, Inc., a 501(c)(6) certification and provider support organization, oversees certification conducted by independent third-party experts, and maintains up-to-date certification standards for cemeteries, funeral homes, and product providers. The Green Burial Council International, a 501(c)(3) educational and outreach organization, develops educational materials and opportunities for providers and the public to learn more about natural burial.
Those interested in becoming involved with the Green Burial Council are asked to fill out our volunteer application here.
Green Burial Council, Inc.Certification and Provider SupportOFFICERS
Darren Crouch, President (he/him) is president and co-founder of environmentally responsible funeral product company Passages International, Inc., and is also the founder of agreenerfuneral.org, a website designed to educate consumers about alternatives for greening their funeral. He has been featured in The Director Magazine, The American Funeral Director Magazine, Funeral Business Advisor, The Cremationist, the ICCFA Magazine, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, and has spoken at several national and international conventions, including the Asia Funeral Expo, the National Funeral Directors Convention, and the ICCFA Convention.
Term expires June 2025 
Baxley Andresen, Vice President, (she/her) hails from the world of prop design, production and puppetry. With a BFA from SUNY Purchase in Visual Arts and a certificate in Horticulture from UCLA, Baxley's background before she began work in the funeral industry is unique. She assisted Alua Arthur of Going with Grace in 2018 and 2019 as her administrative assistant, supporting both behind the scenes and directly with families suffering great loss. During the pandemic, Baxley worked at FRIENDS Funeral Home in Venice, California as a funeral arranger. Now she is co-owner of Creston Cemetery in central California, a natural burial and historical cemetery. Baxley is currently looking to establish more green burial space in Southern California, proudly working with the Green Burial Council to make this option known and more accessible.
Term expires June 2026 
Emily B. Miller, Secretary, (she/her) is a licensed Funeral Director/ Embalmer and founder of GBC-certified cemetery Colorado Burial Preserve. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Religions from Reed College, she studied Funeral Service Education at Lake Washington Institute of Technology. It was in funeral directing classes that Emily first learned of natural burial as an option. In her later experiences in helping families connect with funeral options, she found the options for wild final resting places lacking in Colorado and resolved to join the movement.
Term expires June 2025 
Rachel Essig, Treasurer (she/they) is the former Executive Director of River View Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, River View has been offering natural burial and funerals since 2009 and is a certified funeral home and hybrid cemetery by the Green Burial Council. Rachel’s background is in habitat protection through Metro Regional Government’s land acquisition bond program. She became a cemeterian when Metro assigned her to manage fourteen historic cemeteries in their park’s portfolio. She was also the general manager for SCI’s Skyline Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. She’s presented at the ICCFA Annual Convention, CANA's Green Funeral Conference, Green Burial Council's Conference & webinars, the Cemetery Association of Oregon, and to the Oregon legislature. Rachel has served on several boards of local cemeteries in the Portland area. Rachel is motivated by providing a place for reflection and by serving everyone regardless of race, religion, gender, or economic condition.
Term expires June 2024 DIRECTORS
Sam Bar (he/him) came to the GBC through a passion for sustainable product design and manufacturing. Utilizing his BS in Industrial Engineering from Northeastern University and global manufacturing experience, he developed and managed the GBC's Burial Product Certification program for over 10 years. Now, he spends his days supporting community health centers with their clinical quality data needs. As a board member, he looks forward to helping guide the development of processes and making the organization more impactful.
Term expires September 2025 
Ariel Leath (she/her) is a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh studying Bioethics. Her primary research interests are end of life ethics, deathcare access and equity, and the impacts of technology on healthcare. Additionally, she is a student researcher at the University of Pittsburgh's Palliative Research Center. Ariel has worked in the field of communications, small business development, and has a M.A. from Georgetown University in Communications, Culture & Technology. Originally from North Carolina and currently located in Pittsburgh, she is active in causes impacting Appalachia, specifically harm reduction and the opioid crisis. She spends her free time with her rescue pup Cozy, doing fiber crafts, and finding new and exciting wines to try.
Term expires October 2025 |
Green Burial Council InternationalEducation and OutreachOFFICERS
Sam Perry, President, (he/him) is an Indiana and Illinois licensed funeral director, Assistant Lecturer of Mortuary Science and Funeral Service at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and has volunteered with the Green Burial Council in various capacities since 2010. He has a bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service and a Masters of Education in Workforce Education and Development. He furthered his studies of funeral rites abroad in countries around the world such as Ghana, Japan, and India. Sam has experience in funeral homes, crematories, and coordinating the SIU anatomical gift program. He also helped launch the GBC Certificate of Proficiency in Green Funeral Service with Lee Webster in 2018.
Term expires April 2026 
Dawn Harth, Vice President (she/her) is a freelance marketing and branding consultant based in Oklahoma, with a special passion for helping brands and causes find their voice and tell their story. She has worked with a variety of nonprofits and businesses throughout her 25+ years in the industry, serving in the roles of copywriter, producer, and creative director. Working with organizations whose missions are focused on contributing to a larger purpose has been the greatest source of fulfillment for Dawn throughout her career, and since she first learned about green burial, she knew she wanted to be a part of helping more people learn about and understand this wonderful alternative.
Term expires April 2026 
Stephanie Dresen, Secretary, (she/her) is an environmental professional with extensive experience in both climate policy and chemical management. She comes to the GBC with experience working in academia, government, and private industry. During her career, Stephanie has worked to bridge the gap between science and applicable public policy through advocacy, education, and program implementation. She currently serves as a Natural Systems Coordinator for the City of Kansas City, Missouri implementing nature-based solutions to address climate change. Stephanie is a LEED Green Associate with the US Green Building Council and holds both a MS in Energy Policy and Climate from Johns Hopkins University and a BS in Biochemistry and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She is using her expertise in sustainability, public policy, and chemical stewardship to advocate for environmentally just, green burial options for all.
Term expires January 2026 
Michael Jenkins, Treasurer (he/him) is a financial professional with experience in budgeting, strategic planning, and financial analysis. He is a Senior Analyst with the City of Kansas City, Missouri Office of Management and Budget, working with the City's General Services and Parks and Recreation Departments. A resident of Kansas City, Missouri, Michael has over 5 years of experience in the funeral service industry in and around the Kansas City metropolitan area prior to his role in local government. In addition to his professional role, Michael has regularly volunteered with the Kansas City Parks Ambassadors providing opportunities for environmental stewardship and education for Kansas City residents, and he is a member of the City of Kansas City, Missouri's Green Team. He is using his experience in financial analysis, management, and budgeting to ensure the Green Burial Council is able to sustainably and resiliently continue its mission.
Term expires January 2026 DIRECTORS
Jeff Hodes (he/him) has forty-plus years of experience in the cemetery industry, with key positions in major cemetery organizations, and has provided consulting services to cemeteries across the United States for over ten years. As an active leader in cemetery development, training, and volunteering with multiple industry associations, Jeff has served in leadership roles on the boards of directors for six different cemetery associations, and earned the Certified Cemetery Executive and the Certified Supplier Executive distinction from the International Cemetery Cremations Funeral Association, and a MS degree with an emphasis in environmental studies.
Term expires June 2025 |
With deep gratitude to all who have served the Green Burial Council!
Former Board Members
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Matthew Alcide
Brad Angell Paul Bauman Katey Bean Sarah Beck Kate Berdan Steve Berkoff Ed Bixby Jane Black Sara Brink Kate Burns Billy Campbell Doug Carroll David O. Carter Marla Carter Rob Caughlin Holly Chan Stephen Christy Ernest Cook |
Sequola Collins
Caiti Crum Candace Currie Sabrina Dorfman Liz Dunnebacke Bob Fertig Brian Flowers Susan Greer Sharon Hermanson Caitlyn Hauke Darrell Hill Adriane Jach Tim Jones William Jordan III Shawn LaValleur-Adame John Lovasco Diane Miller Mike Mitchell Barb Milton |
Father Charles Morris
Stephen Olson Hannah Palko Robert Prout Joel Rabinowitz Paul Rahill Doug Renfield-Miller Jon Eric Rolfstadt Merilynne Rush Joe Sehee Josh Slocum Joe Smolenski Kim Sorvig Lindsay Soyer Kim Stewart Roxanne Walsh Lee Webster Anne Weston Shari Wolf |
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Website originally designed by Lee Webster
©2023 Green Burial Council |