Mandy brings 15 years of experience as a licensed funeral director in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, dedicating her career to compassionate, personalized death care. Her journey into natural death care began with the development of natural burial offerings and grew into a passion for sustainable practices. This passion ultimately led her to Return Home, where she now serves as a preneed coordinator and national partnership manager, helping families plan for eco-friendly, meaningful end-of-life care and funeral homes understand how to offer terramation. Mandy recently returned to the family farm in southern Minnesota, where she balances rural life with her dedication to the funeral profession. She continues to contribute her expertise to advancing natural death care and supporting families through their unique journeys with Return Home. When not working, Mandy enjoys spending time outdoors—fishing, hunting, camping, and traveling with her family and friends.

PRESENTATION INFO:

Natural Organic Reduction 101

1. Science

- Organics used in vessels: 3lbs for every 1lb of body weight

-Straw for insulation

-Alfalfa for nitrogen to send microbes into overdrive

-Sawdust for absorption

• Temperatures

-Mesophilic- First 24 hours of process. Medium temps

-Thermophilic-131 for 72 consecutive hours per state

• Phase 1: 30/40 days- Active Transformation
• Phase 2: Curing- Off-gassing, cooling, drying 30 days
• Heavy metals and pharmaceuticals

-Bio Unavailable

• No DNA found after process
• Testing of soil at end of process tests for- Pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, salmonella and fecal coliforms
• Reasons Natural Organic Reduction cannot happen

-Prions, Ebola, Active TB

1. Legalization- Spread faster in the first 3 years than cremation did in 2 decades.               
2. Funeral Director Role - Keep profit and relationships in house

-Funeral services at local funeral home

-Before, During and After Natural Organic Reduction

-Laying in ceremony at Return Home- 40% of out of state families come to return home for a laying in.

-Preplanning- $3M in pre-need

1. Family Role

-What can be done with the soil

• In this presentation, funeral professionals will learn all aspects of Natural Organic Reduction. A comprehensive “Natural Organic Reduction 101” curriculum covering the science, service options, legal requirements, demographics, and preplanning strategies.