Feb 12, 2021 | Green Burial, Podcast
Green burial is a respectful disposition of the dead without undue burden on the living. It allows nature to take care of us like it has for thousands and thousands of years. For some, it can be a part of a beautiful celebration of life. For others, it’s a little strange. Today, Anne Weston from the Green Burial Project, along with Joe Smolenski and Heather Hill from Renaissance Funeral Home, talk all about green burial.
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Sep 20, 2024 | Aquamation, Cremation, Funeral Prep, Green Burial, Grief, PrePlan, Traditional Burial, Veterans
Mark Poole
Bio is forthcoming
Dara Ferguson
Dara graduated from Carson-Newman University with a BA in Psychology and spent much of her career in management, communications, and service-oriented roles. She worked at Duke Radiology for ten years before retiring in 2025 and has continued to contribute her time and experience to the Image Gently Alliance.
Throughout her career and personal life, Dara has always felt that one of the most meaningful things she can do is serve others. She strives to approach every interaction with integrity, compassion, and genuine care for people. She believes that listening, helping, and simply being there for others are among the most important things we can offer.
It is this belief in serving others that has drawn Dara to her role as a funeral attendant. She considers it a privilege to help families during difficult and deeply personal moments, and to offer a welcoming, caring presence when they need it most
Cynthia Wooten
Cynthia is a caring and empathetic funeral assistant and her bio is forthcoming
Dee Carmona
Dee is a dedicated funeral assistant, she is an integral part of the Renaissance team providing assistance in all areas of the office and services.. extended bio is forthcoming.
Victor Wright
Victor grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. He relocated to Cary, North Carolina in 2020. He earned a degree in Radiologic Science from Northeastern University, Boston, MA. He retired from the National Institutes of Health in 2012 working as a MRI Research specialist in the NHLBI section of cardiology. He has a wife of thirty plus years and two energetic male grandkids who live in Chicago. Victor has a caring heart and truly understand the empathy needed to support a family in mourning.
Lee White
Lee grew up in Asheville, North Carolina. He is a graduate of The Asheville School and UNC-Greensboro where he earned a degree in English. Lee is a retired state employee where he served as a State Human Resources Consultant for 32 years. During high school and college, he worked part-time with a florist and a funeral home. With those experiences and after the death of his daughter in 2018, Lee felt called to be in a place where he could help others deal with the loss of a family member or close friend.
Jenna Meador
Jenna Meador joined Renaissance Funeral Home in 2023 as a Funeral Assistant. A dedicated and compassionate team member, Jenna balances her work with her studies as a local high school student and varsity tennis player. She also volunteers with the Raleigh Tennis Association, reflecting her commitment to service both on and off the court. Jenna brings a warm presence, a strong work ethic, and a thoughtful approach to supporting families during their time of need.
Collette Meador
Collette joined our funeral home in 2018. She is originally from Kansas, but has lived in Raleigh since 2003. Collette is a dedicated and compassionate professional serving as a part-time Family Services Specialist and Office Assistant at Renaissance Funeral Home. With a Master’s degree in Family Studies and Human Services, Collette brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in helping families navigate difficult times with care and sensitivity.
Her combination of expertise, personal values, and unwavering commitment to her work makes her an important member of the Renaissance Funeral Home team.
Heather Hill
Heather Hill is a funeral director and pre-need specialist with more than a decade of experience supporting families with compassion and clarity. She specializes in pre-planning and believes thoughtful preparation is one of the greatest gifts a person can give. As a widow and mother of three, Heather brings both personal insight and professional care to every family she serves. She is passionate about community education and open conversations that help make end-of-life decisions feel less overwhelming. She’s been moderating Death Cafe Raleigh for nearly 10 years and created Death Deserves Conversation, an educational program providing insight into end of life decisions.
“Our experience with Renaissance Funeral Home was on-point, in all aspects. My family worked with Heather Hill, who was genuine and sincere and worked to ensure that everything went smoothly. She was consistently professional and courteous, while still earnestly compassionate for our family. Our questions were answered directly, and her assistance in navigating the veteran aspect of the service was excellent. I would strongly recommend Renaissance Funeral Home to anyone having to work through this difficult process.” -P.G.
Keri Richardson, CSFP
Originally from Cary, Keri received her degree in funeral service education from Fayetteville Technical Community College. She served her apprenticeship in her hometown, becoming first licensed in 2015. In addition to her duties at Renaissance Funeral Home, Keri also teaches as an Adjunct Professor with Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. Keri displays a compassionate and energetic approach while caring for her families, and her passion truly shows through her attention to detail. Outside of work, Keri plays viola with the Raleigh Community Orchestra and volunteers as a mentor with Continuing Vision, an organization that helps future generations of funeral service professionals learn and grow.
“We experienced the sudden loss of my husband and were completely unprepared, not knowing where to begin. I called Keri at Renaissance, and from the very first moment she was kind, patient, and guided me through every step of the process. Her compassion made an overwhelming situation feel more manageable. I will wholeheartedly recommend Renaissance to anyone. They are truly compassionate and professional. Thank you, Keri and Collette, for everything you did during such a difficult time.”-J.R.
Amie Sexton
Amie completed her funeral service apprenticeship with Renaissance in 2021 and returned in 2024 as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Through professionalism, empathetic listening, and compassionate intuition, she connects to and strives to create each family’s vision for honoring their loved ones. Amie goes the extra mile when serving families of various cultures and traditions. She offers attention to detail and creativity. And if you’re in need of a warm smile and a big hug, she’s got you covered!
“Renaissance Funeral Home was wonderful during such a difficult time. Everyone was kind, compassionate, and accommodating, and they made the process so much easier for our family. A special thank you to Amie, who was incredible throughout, patient, thoughtful, and always going above and beyond to make sure everything was handled with care. We are so grateful for their support.” -R.G.
Joseph R. Smolenski III
In 2008, fourth-generation funeral director, Joseph Smolenski, III, joined his father in the family funeral business. Both father and son are advocates of choice, ceremony, earth-friendly options, and creating a great experience for every family they serve. Renaissance Funeral Home is the first and premier funeral home in Raleigh approved by the Green Burial Council. Serving people of all faiths, denominations, creeds, and cultures, and inclusive of LGBTQ, the Renaissance Funeral Home team is an extension of the Smolenski family. In unison, they make certain every family served feels understood, respected, and the warmth of care.
“Dear Joe, Thank you so much for all of your care and guidance through a difficult time. Some people work with their hands, and others with their hearts- you blessed us with both. We know that you went the ‘extra mile’ for us; and for that we are very grateful.” -Deane & Jan T.
