About Us

FOUNDER

Sarah is a 33 year old death doula, holistic caregiver and “old soul” living in the Seacoast. She has a degree in neuroscience and was previously a project manager for global health clinical research projects in neurology. In addition to embracing death in positive ways, she’s also passionate about researching her family ancestry, growing and drying flowers, paddleboarding, volleyball, and deepening connection to oneself and others.

For assistance with a green burial on private property, caregiving or death doula work, see her website here.

ACCOUNTANT AND BOOKKEEPER

Gina is the owner and founder of Summit Accounting Services LLC, and works with many Seacoast businesses and nonprofits to meet their bookkeeping, accounting, and business needs. We are grateful for the time, expertise, and support she lends to our budding organization.

HORTICULTURIST

Ethan graduated from UNH with a degree in sustainability and since then has delighted homeowners around the Seacoast with his horticulture and landscaping work through his business. He’s especially focused on promoting native plants and removing invasive species and helps guide us as we do the same for the green burial cemetery.

BURIAL FACILITATOR

Sean is an artist, website designer, and caregiver and spent most of his adult life as a monk in mystic sect of Christianity. His wisdom and sweet, grounded soul are available to us to facilitate burial services when requested.

FUNERAL CELEBRANT & AFTERCARE COORDINATOR

Deanne brings to us her expertise as an Aftercare Coordinator and Funeral Celebrant at Hope Memorial Chapel in Biddeford. She is trained and certified to facilitate burial services when requested. She uses poems, writings, music, songs and family memories to enrich the service and reflect the nature of the person who has passed.

Deanne also is certified through the International Grief Institute and available to provide resources, support and healing to help the grieving on their journey of loss. That can be through a listening ear, guidance for next steps, reading material, or peer support groups.

AV, PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY

James is a passionate filmmaker, videographer and musician and is ready to assist with any of our media needs during burial ceremonies- to better remember these sacred experiences.

SPATIAL DATA CONSULTANT

Dylan is a software developer with specializations in spatial data processing and GIS. He’s excited to apply his skills to help us identify suitable sites for our project, in addition to other spatial data collection/record-keeping needs as they arise.

BOARD CHAIR

Bob is a successful local businessman and engaged community member. With strong ties to South Church and a deep passion for healthy living and preserving the environment, Bob is motivated to help create a green burial option for himself and his Seacoast community. Bob gifts us with his business acumen, wisdom and big heart while serving on the board.

BOARD VICE-CHAIR

Meg brings a unique blend of hospice experience and passion for nature-based education to the board. She dedicated many years to hospice work, especially to facilitating bereavement groups for both adults and children. She is also a Montessori teacher, a member of Southeast Land Trust, and a lover of nature. The mission of Lotus and Lavender Burial integrates her varied interests and experiences, and her distinct perspective adds important depth and purpose to our work.

BOARD TREASURER

Ryan is a City Planner in Dover, NH specializing in workforce and affordable housing policy. Prior to this role, he worked in a variety of local financial institutions in retail banking, underwriting, and residential and commercial lending. An avid volunteer, he currently serves on the boards of several local nonprofits, including Fair Tide, The Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast, and Leadership Seacoast. Ryan’s financial background and passion for all stages of affordable housing, including one’s final home, make him a valued member of the Lotus and Lavender team.

BOARD SECRETARY

Hanna serves our community as a Funeral Director at Tasker Funeral Home in Dover. She shared with me that she receives so many questions about green burial and wishes she had options to offer. When she suggested that as a death doula, I should start a green burial cemetery here, the spark was lit and we’re excited to be working closely together to make this a reality.

BOARD MEMBER

Philip is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at Exeter Hospital. He previously was a traveling ICU nurse, taking care of countless COVID-19 patients throughout the pandemic. In addition to being an anesthesia provider and having an expansive knowledge of medicine and the human body, Philip is also a passionate proponent of death care reform and green burial practices. His heart and his mind are of great service to the Lotus and Lavender Burial mission.

FUNERAL DIRECTOR

Shawn is the Managing Funeral Director at Hope Memorial Chapel in Biddeford, ME. He’s working to have Hope Memorial certified as a green funeral home and is pleased there will be a green burial option for our area. We're thrilled to collaborate with Shawn and Hope Memorial to promote eco-friendly after-death care within our community!

PERMACULTURE CONSULTANT

Amy is a certified permaculture designer and runs the inspiring Living Land Permaculture Homestead in Barrington with her partner, where they keep gardens, orchards, bees, chickens, ducks and dairy goats. She also founded Seacoast NH Permaculture, which has big plans for continuing to educate, build community and create a more sustainable world and has been a strong supporter of green burial for years.

ACADEMIC CONSULTANT

Dr. Frey is a Professor of Soil Microbial Ecology at UNH. Her research examines how environmental change is altering forest ecosystems, with an emphasis on the soil microbiome and nutrient cycling processes. Naturally, green burial is of interest to her and we’re grateful to have her expertise on the team and look forward to seeing what types of collaborations are possible.

PRE-DEAD SOCIAL CLUB

Laura is the founder of the Pre-Dead Social Club, a blossoming group in Portsmouth that meets monthly for “die-a-logues”. Their mission is to make having compassionate conversations about death and dying a bit easier, less burdensome and more tenderhearted before it's too late.

Hospice Help Foundation is an incredible, Seacoast-based organization that steps in to provide urgent financial support to hospice patients when insurance and other support fall short. They assist patients and families living below the poverty level by providing funds for critical items that bring comfort and dignity at end of life. We’re pleased to be working together to help vulnerable and underserved community members be able to access a green and dignified burial.

Amy is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones in Newmarket, with focus areas that include intergenerational planning, entrepreneurs & business owners, and socially conscious investing. As a lover of the outdoors and not-for-profit missions, Amy is excited to support the cemetery and individuals with skillfully navigating the financial aspects of this process.

Amy also applies her passion to numerous volunteer organizations around the Seacoast, including serving on the board of the Newmarket Business Association and as an active member with the Exeter Chamber of Commerce, the NH/MA chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Kiwanis, and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.

ACADEMIC CONSULTANT

Dr. Ernakovich is a Professor in the Natural Resources and Environment Department at UNH. Her research interests lie in how microbial communities and soil chemistry interact to affect ecosystem function and she’s currently developing projects exploring how agricultural management affects microbial diversity and function in New Hampshire. We’re delighted to have her soil passion and expertise applied to the mission of green burials.

In December 2023, we were accepted into GoodWork's nonprofit incubator program! GoodWork is an incredible group formed to support emerging, Seacoast-based nonprofits and provides tailored guidance, mentoring and networking opportunities for 18 months. Sarah has been calling them our guardian angel and their support will ensure we create and operate a strong, well-designed nonprofit. We are so grateful for this support and collaboration!