​Today, we will begin introducing our Evergreen board members. It is with much gratitude we introduce to you, Jen Willoughby Vogtmann.
A little about Jen:
With two decades of experience in healthcare and education, Jen transitioned to private practice to provide compassionate end-of-life care. As an occupational therapist, doula, and educator, she offers reiki certification, grief support, and advance planning services.
She founded the Blue Water Doula Collective and trained as an end-of-life doula with the Dying Year and as a funeral guide with the Death Midwife. She is a member of the National End of Life Doula Alliance and the National Home Funeral Alliance, and is honored to serve with The Evergreen Foundation.
Her background in occupational therapy allows her to foster resilience and well-being, ensuring that individuals and families feel valued and supported throughout their end-of-life journey.
We are grateful to Jen for sharing her experience, skills and her kind heart to help the Evergreen Foundation grow.
Check out the Blue Water Doula Collective and see the amazing work she and her team are doing.

​Today, we are introducing Christopher Johnson.
Christopher Johnson is a graduate of Michigan State
University with a degree in biology. He also has a
Forensic Science certificate from Wayne State University.
Mr. Johnson has certifications in Grief After Suicide,
Advanced Grief Specialist, End-of-Life Death Doula, Grief
Work in Virtual Settings, Preventing Suicide in Emergency
Departments, and Supporting Young Adult Grief,
Advance Care Planning.
Christopher has over 32 years of experience in Forensic
Science as a Medicolegal Death Investigator and
Pathologist Assistant.
He has 19 years of experience as an Advanced Grief
Specialist, End of Life Practitioner, and Facilitator with
many Grief support groups for hospice, victims’ Impact
Panels, and Youth Grief and Bereavement Organizations.
Mr. Johnson worked with at-risk youth and facilitated
Workshops, Grief Retreats, Mentoring, Expert Panel for
Grief, and Career Guidance for over 20 years.
Mr. Johnson is a Board Member of Ele’s Place.
Member of The National End-of-Life Doula Alliance.
In November 2016, I had a near-death experience during
my spinal cord surgery. After my experience and talking
to God, I knew I had a calling to do. I started doing Death
Doula and Grief support full-time.
I am very enthusiastic about being an advocate for
children who are grieving, as well as working with
families who are experiencing their loved ones who are
dying.
We are honored to have Christopher share his knowledge and experience with us as a member of the Evergreen Board of Directors.

​Today, we are introducing Jenny Turner, the President of the Evergreen End of Life Care Foundation of Michigan. Jenny is one of the co-founders of Evergreen and is extremely passionate about making end of life care accessible for anyone who needs it. We are beyond grateful to have her as our fearless leader. A little about Jenny:
Jenny is a former teacher with 25+ years experience. After leaving the classroom, she started working with senior age clients as a companion. She helped them with various things such as shopping, meal prep, medical appointments, and fun outings to movies or restaurants. She enabled clients to live independently in their own home longer than expected. Jenny felt privileged to be with clients during their final years and eventually, their final hours. This led her to learn more about what an End of Life (Death) Doula could do to help her clients. She took a course through The Dying Year in October of 2023, became a National End of Life Doula Alliance member and passed NEDA’s Proficiency Exam on End of Life Doula care. In 2024, she decided to form her own company, Embrace End of Life Doula Care, LLC. She works with clients and their families, providing emotional support and helping with various tasks, to make the end of life more joyful and less stressful. She currently lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her husband, dog, and two cats. She has two adult sons. She enjoys time at the lake, reading, writing, knitting and sewing and spending time with her family.

It's time for yet another enlightening installment of "Know Your Funeral Options." Today, we delve into the innovative practice of Human Composting. This groundbreaking method involves the transformation of human remains into nutrient-rich soil, fostering sustainability and environmental stewardship. The resulting soil holds remarkable fertility, serving multiple purposes such as enriching gardens or aiding in the rejuvenation of natural landscapes, including reforestation efforts
According to Recompose Life.com, Human Composting has gained legal recognition in several progressive states, including Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, California, New York, and Nevada. Moreover, momentum is building with ongoing legislative discussions in various other states, indicating a growing acceptance and interest in this eco-conscious approach to funerary practices.
As with any funeral option, Human Composting presents a spectrum of advantages and considerations:
Foremost among its merits is the profound positive impact on the environment. Human Composting stands out as one of the most ecologically sound funeral choices available today. By eschewing traditional burial or cremation methods, which can contribute to pollution and resource depletion, Human Composting offers a sustainable alternative that aligns with contemporary environmental priorities.
This process not only conserves valuable land space by eliminating the need for burial plots but also mitigates the release of harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. Cremation, for instance, emits greenhouse gases and pollutants such as carbon dioxide and mercury, whereas Human Composting operates as a closed-loop system, minimizing adverse environmental effects.
Furthermore, Human Composting honors the natural cycle of life by returning the deceased to the earth in a way that nourishes and regenerates the soil. This ecological continuity fosters a sense of connection with nature, offering solace and meaning to both individuals and their loved ones.
Moreover, from a practical standpoint, Human Composting can be more cost-effective than traditional burial or cremation methods. By bypassing the need for expensive caskets, embalming procedures, or elaborate funeral services, it presents a financially viable option for those seeking a simpler, more environmentally responsible farewell.
Lastly, choosing Human Composting can facilitate conversations surrounding death and environmental sustainability, fostering greater awareness and acceptance of alternative funeral practices within society. By embracing innovative approaches to end-of-life care, individuals can leave a lasting legacy of environmental stewardship and mindfulness for future generations.
In summary, Human Composting emerges as a compelling choice for those seeking a departure from conventional funeral customs toward a greener, more sustainable farewell. With its myriad benefits for both the environment and future generations, this innovative practice offers a dignified and meaningful way to honor the departed while nurturing the earth they leave behind.
Written by Robin L. 

Grief is a universal emotion, often described as the price we pay for loving someone deeply. It touches everyone in unique ways, yet it remains a shared human experience that connects us all. Over time, various theories and analogies have emerged to help us understand and navigate the complexities of grief. One of my favorite analogies is “The Ball and the Box,” created by Lauren Herschel, which offers a simple yet powerful way to visualize and explain the nature of grief.

In this analogy, grief is likened to a box containing a ball and a pain button. When a loved one dies, the ball is enormous, filling almost the entire box. Its sheer size means it constantly presses against the pain button, causing near-constant emotional pain and distress. In the early days of grief, this overwhelming sensation dominates, leaving little room for relief or reprieve.

As time passes, the ball begins to shrink. It no longer constantly presses on the pain button, offering moments of respite and allowing life to regain some sense of normalcy. However, the ball does not disappear entirely. It continues to move around the box unpredictably. Even years after a loss, the ball can suddenly strike the pain button, triggering waves of overwhelming emotion that feel just as intense as they did at the beginning.

This analogy beautifully captures the unpredictable and enduring nature of grief. It explains why feelings of loss can resurface unexpectedly, even long after the initial event. The shrinking ball is a reminder that while grief may become less constant over time, it never fully vanishes. The intensity of the pain may subside, but the love and the memories we carry ensure that the ball always remains within the box.

By visualizing grief in this way, we can better understand that its ebbs and flows are a natural part of the healing process. It reminds us to show compassion to ourselves and others as we navigate the uncharted waters of loss and healing.

Written by Robin L. 

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