Business Details
7 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Open 24/7
always available
Eco-Friendly Funeral Services in Colorado
The Natural Funeral opened its doors in March 2019 in Old Town Lafayette, Colorado, founded by Karen van Vuuren, Daniel Ziskin, and Seth Viddal. Their shared vision was to create a holistic, heart-centered funeral home rooted in environmental sustainability, compassionate care, and meaningful choice. Today, The Natural Funeral is led by CEO Mike Reagan and Co-Founder Seth Viddal, with funeral home operations overseen by Austin Timpson. We continue to grow while staying true to our founding mission: to provide gentle, natural, and reverent care for both the deceased and the bereaved. We were proud to be the first funeral home in Colorado to offer water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis), and we led the successful effort to legalize Natural Organic Reduction (terramation) in Colorado in 2021. We remain the only provider of terramation in the state. At our Arvada Care Center, we carry out both terramation and water cremation with the utmost respect and attention to detail.Through our TerraCare Partner Program, we are empowering funeral homes, crematories, and cemeteries across the country to bring terramation to their own communitiesadvancing the movement for more sustainable and conscious deathcare nationwide. We now operate two full-service funeral homesour original location in Lafayette and a second in Lovelandand a dedicated Care Center in Arvada, Colorado. Across all locations, our team upholds The Natural Funerals values with every family we serve: Consumer Choice, Family Rights & Participation, Environmental Sustainability, Beauty & Aesthetics, and Community & Education. Our mission is to walk with you through lifes most tender moments, offering healing choices that reflect your values and honor the Earth.
Services
Terramation
Water Cremation
Green Burial
Flame Cremation
Reverent Body Care
Ceremonies
Care Center Tours
Preneed Planning
Obituaries
Resources
Details
- Year established: 2019
Highlights and features
- We pioneered terramation legalization in Colorado and lead nationally in sustainable deathcare innovation.
- Offering the only terramation services in Colorado with a dedicated Arvada Care Center.
- Commitment to environmental sustainability through chemical-free body care and biodegradable materials.
- Family-centered approach allowing participation in rituals like Reverent Body Care and home vigils.
- Transparent, pressure-free guidance across all disposition options, including green burials and water cremation.
What people say
Compassionate staff
Eco-friendly options
Personalized care
Meaningful ceremonies
Innovative practices
Services
Terramation
Terramation transforms human remains into nutrient-rich Regenerative Living Soil within 2-4 months using natural ingredients like straw and alfalfa in controlled vessels. Our 4th-generation Chrysalis technology ensures optimal conditions for decomposition while maintaining dignity. Families may receive the soil for personal use or donate it to organic farms and preserves. This process offers the most significant ecological impact by returning nutrients to the earth sustainably.
Water Cremation
Water cremation uses water and natural alkalinity to gently return remains to elemental form without emissions. The process consumes 90% less energy than flame cremation, producing nutrient-rich bio-stimulant for plant growth. Families may keep the liquid essence or have it donated to organic farms. This low-carbon alternative provides a peaceful, eco-conscious option while maintaining reverence for the deceased.
Green Burial
Green burial interrs remains in biodegradable caskets or shrouds without chemicals, allowing natural decomposition. We partner with certified green cemeteries and preserves to ensure ecological harmony. This method supports habitat conservation and offers families a serene, natural resting place that aligns with environmental values while honoring the deceased's legacy.
Reverent Body Care
Our chemical-free body care includes washing with natural products, anointing with essential oils, and dressing in biodegradable garments. Families may participate in this sacred ritual or have our staff perform it. This gentle approach avoids embalming chemicals, maintaining dignity while providing a meaningful farewell that respects both personal beliefs and environmental principles.
Ceremonies
We create personalized ceremonies honoring individual beliefs through life celebrations, graveside services, or home vigils. Our celebrants accommodate religious, spiritual, or secular preferences, incorporating music, storytelling, and symbolic gestures. We support family participation in rituals while providing venues and guidance to ensure meaningful, healing tributes that reflect the deceased's unique life.
People
Karen van Vuuren
Co-Founder
Karen co-founded The Natural Funeral with a vision for sustainable, compassionate end-of-life care. Her leadership emphasizes environmental stewardship and family-centered services, ensuring every family receives personalized support during difficult transitions.
Daniel Ziskin
Co-Founder and Chief Scientist
Daniel pioneered terramation research and development, overseeing the scientific process that transforms remains into regenerative soil. His expertise ensures technical precision while maintaining reverence for natural cycles of life and death.
Seth Viddal
Co-Founder
Seth led Colorado's legalization of terramation and continues advocating for sustainable deathcare policies. His work focuses on expanding eco-friendly options nationwide through the TerraCare Partner Program, empowering other funeral homes to adopt innovative practices.
Mike Reagan
CEO
Mike directs The Natural Funeral's strategic growth while upholding founding values. He ensures operational excellence across locations, maintaining a balance between compassionate service and environmental responsibility in every family interaction.
Austin Timpson
Funeral Home Operations Manager
Austin oversees daily operations at our funeral homes, ensuring seamless service delivery. His focus on staff training and procedural excellence maintains consistent quality care while supporting families through personalized end-of-life planning.
Questions
What is terramation, and how does it work?
Terramation, or natural organic reduction, transforms remains into nutrient-rich soil using natural ingredients like straw and alfalfa in controlled vessels over 2-4 months.
Do you offer services outside Colorado?
Yes, our eco-friendly disposition options are available to families across all 50 states.
Can families participate in body care rituals?
Yes, our Reverent Body Care® service allows families to wash, anoint, and dress loved ones using natural products.
What sustainability efforts accompany flame cremation?
We offset flame cremation emissions by donating to plant 50 trees per service through nonprofit partnerships.
Are pre-planning consultations available?
Yes, we offer free pre-planning consultations to help document your end-of-life wishes at any time.
How can I tour your facilities?
Monthly free tours of our Arvada Care Center are available to explore terramation and water cremation processes.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Natasha Cuellar
Jan 04, 2022
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First, I would like to thank THE NATURAL FUNERAL for giving us the opportunity to celebrate and honored my daughter's life and BELIEFS.
WHICH WAS "GIVE EARTH WHAT EARTH GIVES US - GOING BACK WHERE WE COME FROM AND LIVE FOR EVER BECAUSE WE ARE ENERGY AND ENERGY CAN NOT BE DESTROYED". I want to thank Dan the director of THE NATURAL FUNERAL for guiding me throughout the whole proces; Being disoriented, confused and not know what to do he help me throughout the whole painful process as my daughter's demise was unexpected. With so much empathy and compassion he explained and suggested
WHICH WAS "GIVE EARTH WHAT EARTH GIVES US - GOING BACK WHERE WE COME FROM AND LIVE FOR EVER BECAUSE WE ARE ENERGY AND ENERGY CAN NOT BE DESTROYED". I want to thank Dan the director of THE NATURAL FUNERAL for guiding me throughout the whole proces; Being disoriented, confused and not know what to do he help me throughout the whole painful process as my daughter's demise was unexpected. With so much empathy and compassion he explained and suggested
Braxton Burks
Dec 08, 2021
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My experience with the Natural Funeral was nothing less then outstanding. During such a difficult time they guided me beautifully through a process Ive never done before. Their empathetic, compassionate, helpful and understanding staff treated my mothers ceremony and burial like it was someone from their own family. I truly appreciate the compassion and care you and your team put into your work. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you.
Paul Poisson
Dec 07, 2021
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My and my family's experience at The Natural Funeral could not have been better. The staff were all extremely compassionate and the variety of services that they offer made an unspeakably difficult occasion manageable. My son's body will be allowed to decompose in a natural and environmentally friendly manner and will be returned to the earth in a way that feels right to me and his surviving family.
Donna Garnett
Nov 30, 2021
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At a terribly sad and difficult time, finding Natural Funeral truly was an answer to our prayers. Our son had spent the better part of his adult life working on behalf of organic approaches to agriculture. As he was coming to the end of his battle with brain cancer it was his wish to be able to return his body to the earth in a way that would be ecological. The option for water cremation was the answer to his wish.
Seth, Karen, and Gretchen were supportive in so many ways. They respected our beliefs, our wishes, and our feelings through the planning and in helping us carry out that plan when our
Seth, Karen, and Gretchen were supportive in so many ways. They respected our beliefs, our wishes, and our feelings through the planning and in helping us carry out that plan when our
Leslie Padilla
Nov 26, 2021
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Many people recommended the Natural Funeral to me and Im so glad they did. It was the right choice for our family. The people, the services, the entire experience was beautiful and meaningful. I highly recommend the Natural Funeral to anyone.
Kevin Durban
Oct 27, 2021
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Resoundingly the best choice for our family, very professional caring staff in a welcoming environment unlike any company we've met. Iris was very kind, made multiple helpful suggestions and went out of her way to make the process smoother as we navigated a sudden passing. Everyone we met was straightforward and very informative, no surprises. Uplifting experience at a very difficult time, highly reommended.
Linda Lowe
Oct 27, 2021
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My husband and I talked a lot about his burial/ funeral wishes when he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. We wanted something as natural as possible without a casket, embalming or a church service. The Natural Funeral was the answer. We were able to have a burial in a beautiful, natural setting with just our family attending. Our five grandchildren (from 5-18) were involved as pallbearers and helped lower my husband into the grave. It was a beautiful way to say good-bye and we were thankful to have the assistance of The Natural Funeral staff, making it a memorable way to honor a life well lived
