ABOUT DANA

In late March 2019, Dana and her siblings buried their mom in a pine box in a beautiful, green meadow. It was a natural burial field, part of a historic homestead in Milton, Georgia. There was a vegetable garden with bird houses and a white picket fence at the edge of the property. They cut flowers from their mom’s backyard and covered the fresh dirt of her grave with them. The bees were buzzing and the birds were singing in the trees. The sun was shining, the sky was bright blue. The earth was waking up after a long winter, coming back to life all around them.

After the graveside message, a friend walked to the edge of the dirt mound, turned her face to the sky, and sang Amazing Grace at the top of her voice. It was perfect. It was just what they needed. And that beautiful meadow was exactly the right resting place for their mom. Dana left the service determined to have the same option of natural burial in her own Tennessee community. That is where the idea for Ancient Path was born.

After graduating from Georgia State University, Dana worked as a graphic designer, served on a board of directors, and helped found Off The Square theatre company while educating her children through 8th grade. She is currently publishing a children’s book of nature stories, and pursuing end-of-life doula certification.

A native of North Georgia, she happily transplanted to Tennessee in 2004. She and her husband Kevin have three grown children and live in Nolensville with their two dogs. They cherish the gift that the earth is and strive to care for it as best as they can.