What are the end-of-life options that do less harm to the environment? What do funeral alternatives look, feel, and sound like? What can folks who aren't religious do when planning a funeral to help it be personalized and meaningful? How can one plan ahead to make sure their funeral reflects their personality and values?
Rachel Essig is the Executive Director of River View Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, and is a Board Treasurer of the Green Burial Council. River View Cemetery is Portland’s oldest endowment care cemetery and has offered natural burial and funerals since 2009. It is a certified funeral home and hybrid cemetery by the Green Burial Council. Rachel’s background is in habitat protection through the 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’s presented at the ICCFA Annual Convention, the Cemetery Association of Oregon, Kates Boylston, California Funeral Institute, and the Oregon legislature. She’s a member of the Cemetery Association of Oregon’s legislative committee and is a current Green Burial Council board member. Rachel is working on a dedicated natural burial meadow within River View Cemetery. Rachel is motivated by providing a place for reflection and by serving everyone regardless of race, religion, gender, or economic condition. You can learn more about Riverview Cemetary here and the Green Burial Council here.