The Natural Funeral Team

The Natural Funeral Team

Mike Reagan – CEO

Mike’s journey in end-of-life care started during his high school years as a cemetery laborer and apprentice at a family-owned funeral home in Medfield, Massachusetts. This experience laid the foundation for a lifelong dedication to supporting individuals and families during poignant and transformative moments.

He spent three decades in executive management, helping businesses evolve into global technology leaders. In 2017, Mike returned to direct service, taking on roles as a hospice volunteer and end-of-life doula.

From his early exposure to his leadership roles, each experience has shaped Mike, preparing him to lead The Natural Funeral. Driven by a passion for improving the world, Mike is committed to revolutionizing the funeral industry. He envisions a future where families are empowered with dignified and ecological deathcare options, aiming to enhance The Natural Funeral’s impact on our planet and communities.

Mike Reagan
Seth Viddal

Seth Viddal – Co-owner/COO

Seth brings a diverse background spanning commercial construction, technology, and now, transformative deathcare. His journey into the funeral industry was deeply personal, catalyzed by the deaths of his father, brother, and mother within four years. These experiences, coupled with traditional funeral practices that did not reflect his family’s values, prompted Seth to seek alternatives that honor both the individual and the environment.

In 2019, Seth joined The Natural Funeral, aiming to offer end-of-life options that align with ecological and personal values. His rich blend of skills—ranging from business acumen gained through founding and growing several successful companies, to his studies in Contemplative Psychology, Religion, and Mindfulness—equips him uniquely for this role. Seth’s heart-centered approach and hospice volunteer experience ensure that The Natural Funeral not only leads in eco-friendly deathcare but also deeply respects the emotional and spiritual needs of the families it serves.

Dan Ziskin – Co-owner/Chief Scientist

Dan harnesses his extensive scientific background to pioneer sustainable deathcare solutions. With previous roles at prestigious institutions including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Dan brings a deep understanding of environmental science to his work.

As a co-founder of The Natural Funeral, Dan is dedicated to integrating sustainable practices into end-of-life care. He has spearheaded the research and development efforts that have placed The Natural Funeral at the forefront of the industry, particularly in terramation and water cremation solutions. His commitment to eco-friendly practices ensures that The Natural Funeral not only offers meaningful and dignified options but also contributes positively to environmental conservation.

Dan Ziskin
Vicki Viddal

Vicki Viddal – Co-owner/ Family Support Specialist

Vicki has been guiding families through their most challenging moments for over two decades. Since the opening of The Natural Funeral in March 2019, Vicki has been a pillar of support for hundreds of families, providing care that extends well beyond the funeral service itself—reaching into the days, weeks, and even months following a loved one’s passing.

Vicki’s intuitive understanding of the settings, surroundings, and support needed by each family showcases her deep commitment to delivering comfort, love, and peace during tender times. Her ability to tune into the unique needs of families, combined with a heartfelt approach, exemplifies The Natural Funeral’s dedication to dignity, compassion, and open-hearted service. Vicki’s work not only supports families in their immediate time of need but also reinforces core values of The Natural Funeral, ensuring every family feels profoundly respected and cared for.

Gretchen Ford – Systems Integration and Client Services Manager

Gretchen’s own profound experience with loss and grief, a journey that initially connected her to The Natural Funeral, deeply informs her insight and sensitivity as she serves our client families. Since joining The Natural Funeral in 2021, Gretchen has held several roles both in direct service to hundreds of families and in back-end operational roles.

Gretchen’s current responsibilities include the customization, integration, and oversight of all funeral home systems. Her heart-centered focus and sensitivity make her not just a manager of systems but a vital part of the funeral home’s mission to serve families with dignity and respect.

Gretchen Ford
Austin Timpson

Austin Timpson – Funeral Home General Manager and Funeral Director

Austin skillfully oversees operations at our Lafayette and Loveland funeral homes. His background as a location manager and funeral director, coupled with a B.S. degree in Environmental and Sustainable Studies, perfectly aligns with our commitment to eco-friendly funeral options.

Austin’s passion for advancing sustainable practices in the funeral industry is highlighted by his active involvement with the Green Burial Council, where he contributes to shaping industry standards towards more sustainable practices.

Beyond his environmental advocacy and managerial duties, Austin’s heart-centered approach to service deeply resonates with the families we serve. He ensures that every aspect of our funeral home operations not only adheres to the highest environmental standards but also provides compassionate and dignified care. Austin’s leadership and dedication are pivotal in The Natural Funeral’s mission to transform the industry.

Billy Dodson – Care Center Operations Manager

Billy oversees all operations at our Care Center, including the management of our terramation vessels and water cremation systems and processes. With extensive hands-on experience in business operations, Billy brings an unwavering commitment to process compliance and a perpetual focus on improvement and efficiency.

In addition to managing our care center’s daily operations, Billy plays a pivotal role in supporting partnering funeral homes that rely on us to provide terramation and water cremation services for their clients. He ensures these partnerships are upheld with the highest standards of care and efficiency. Billy also personally engages with our client families, facilitating heartfelt laying-in ceremonies and witnessed water cremations.

His operational excellence is matched by a heart-centered approach, serving families and our funeral home partners with the utmost dignity and respect. Billy’s comprehensive oversight and compassionate interaction ensure that every service is conducted with professionalism and deep personal care.

Billy Dodson
Ben Buchholz

Ben Buchholz – Care Center Technician

Ben, a certified Care Center Technician at The Natural Funeral, plays a crucial role in supporting families who choose terramation or water cremation. Certified in Natural Organic Reduction Operations and as a crematory operator, Ben ensures that every aspect of the process is handled with the utmost respect and professional rigor, in line with our mission to provide eco-friendly and dignified end-of-life options.

Informed and shaped by his own experiences with loss and grief, Ben brings a profound sensitivity and understanding to his work. This personal connection to grief enriches the support and care he extends to families, aligning with The Natural Funeral’s commitment to offer compassionate, respectful, and environmentally sustainable services.

Ben’s expertise and empathy are vital in helping families navigate their choices during challenging times, ensuring that their loved ones are honored in a manner that respects both their wishes and the environment. His dedication is a cornerstone of our mission to transform the funeral industry through innovation and compassion.

Karis Meskimen – Advance Planning Consultant

Karis brings a wealth of experience to her role as an Advanced Planning Consultant at The Natural Funeral.  She expertly and tenderly guides individuals and families through the process of advance planning. With a background working in senior living communities, Karis excels in creating programs that enrich and support the elderly, making her especially qualified to assist clients in making thoughtful end-of-life preparations.

At The Natural Funeral, we view advance planning as an act of love and foresight. Karis specializes in aligning these plans with the personal beliefs and values of her clients, whether they center on environmental sustainability, religious practices, or cultural traditions. Karis provides tailored consultations that ensure her clients’ wishes are met and provide peace of mind for both you and your family.

Karis’s approach is not only professional but deeply empathetic, facilitating a process that allows families to focus on healing and remembrance, knowing that difficult decisions have already been thoughtfully and carefully made.

Karis Meskimen
Janene Centurione

Janene Centurione – Advance Planning Consultant

In her role as an Advanced Planning Consultant at The Natural Funeral, Janene leverages her extensive background in health administration and end-of-life care to provide exceptional guidance to individuals and families planning for the future. With a Master’s in Health Administration, certification as an end-of-life doula, and experience as a hospice volunteer, Janene is uniquely equipped to navigate the complexities of advance planning with compassion and expertise.

At The Natural Funeral, we regard advance planning as a profound expression of care and foresight. Janene specializes in creating plans that resonate with clients’ personal values and beliefs, be they centered around ecological sustainability, religious traditions, or cultural preferences. Janene’s healthcare education and experience, particularly her understanding of end-of-life processes and care, inform the support she offers her clients, ensuring that their final wishes are honored. 

Janene’s professional acumen is complemented by her empathetic approach, making her a trusted advisor who supports families in making informed, comforting, and meaningful preparations.

Susan Nemcek – Celebrant

Susan brings a rich tapestry of experience to her role as a Celebrant at The Natural Funeral. As the executive director and founder of Willow Farm Contemplative Center, and an ordained interfaith chaplain in Hygiene, Colorado, Susan integrates her deep knowledge of contemplative practices into her work. Willow Farm, an educational nonprofit, hosts meditation retreats, courses on living and dying contemplatively, and supports a vegetable and flower CSA, alongside hosting events and celebrations of life for The Natural Funeral.

In her private practice as a homeopath and social work clinician, Susan specializes in treating grief, loss, and trauma, applying her expertise to guide families through personalized and meaningful celebrations. Her life of service across multiple disciplines enriches her approach, allowing her to offer unique and heartfelt celebrations that honor the complexities of each individual’s life and legacy.

Susan Nemcek
Ben Martin The Water Crematory

Ben Martin – Celebrant

Ben Martin, a Celebrant at The Natural Funeral, is a Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant through the Celebrant Foundation and Institute. With a specialization in funerals and ceremonies across the life cycle, Ben brings over 37 years of experience as a writer to craft personalized and inspirational ceremonies that resonate deeply with the unique needs of families.

His talent for creating bespoke celebrations shines through in various life-changing events, from baby namings and weddings to graduations and funerals. Ben’s commitment to honoring each individual’s journey with refined creativity and a heartfelt voice is evident in his work and his recent publication, Prayers on the Road Home.

Ben’s deep understanding of ceremonial traditions and his ability to connect with families during significant moments make him a cherished part of The Natural Funeral’s team, ensuring each ceremony is memorable and profoundly meaningful.

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Nicole Matarazzo – Celebrant & Death Midwife

Nicole’s poised and compassionate spirit as a Celebrant and Death Midwife offers a sense of peace to families facing a time that often feels overwhelming, uncertain and filled with grief. Nicole was initiated to end-of-life care through her work as a Child Life Specialist working in pediatrics with children diagnosed with AIDS and cancer. She has dedicated her heart and soul to the sacred space of death and dying and considers the invitation to this holy ground a privilege.

With wisdom and a wealth of experience, Nicole supports families navigating the challenges of end-of-life care and after-death care decisions as a Death Midwife and Holistic Funeral Coordinator. Nicole founded End of Life Pathways in 2016 where she is a certified Death Midwife.

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Nicole Matarazzo
Annalouiza Armendariz

Annalouiza Armendariz – Celebrant

Reverent Mother Annalouiza Armendariz, an Interfaith Chaplain at The Natural Funeral, brings a lifetime of reverence for life’s significant transitions to her role. From early experiences honoring deceased pets to guiding families through life’s major milestones—births, marriages, and deaths—Annalouiza offers support without adherence to specific religious doctrines, emphasizing the sacredness of these events.

Her diverse expertise encompasses herbalism, traditional healing practices from Mexico and Central America, Reiki, and spiritual coaching. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Annalouiza also serves as an Advance Care Directive planner, combining her skills to facilitate dignified approaches to death for individuals and the broader ecosystem.

Annalouiza’s deep understanding of grief and the importance of mourning spaces enriches her ability to provide compassionate and culturally respectful guidance through the challenges of loss and transition.

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Queenie – Holistic Funeral Support Dog

Although Queenie is the smallest member of our team, she packs a lot of heart into her miniature body. She’s always available for a visit.

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Queenie