Donelle Dreese Ph.D.

About

Donelle Dreese, Ph.D., is a writer and Professor of English at Northern Kentucky University where she teaches inclusive and environmental literature, writing courses, and “The Green Goodbye” for the Honors College. She is the author of several poetry collections, including Sophrosyne (2015) and Organelle (2021). Her poetry and essays have appeared in a wide variety of journals and magazines.

Donelle also serves as President on the Board of Trustees for the nonprofit organization Heritage Acres Memorial Sanctuary in Pierce Township, Ohio, near Cincinnati. Heritage Acres is a 40-acre natural burial ground, arboretum, and nature preserve. She is the photographer and editor of the Heritage Acres Quarterly Newsletter. Donelle received her death doula and home funeral training through the Center for End of Life Transitions in North Carolina and is certified by the Green Burial Council as a green burial cemetery operator.

Books by Donelle Dreese Ph.D.

Recent Posts

The Stone Pathway That Leads to Healing From Grief

By reframing our relationship with the flora and fauna that surrounds us as “kin,” we can tap into the wisdom and interconnected web of all living beings and heal from grief.

The Ecology of Swedish Death Cleaning

It is an act of love for all those who will need to clean out our “stuff” after we are gone.

Can You Read Your Way to a Better Death?

"Death-positive" literature emerges as a powerful tool that can lead to a more knowledgeable approach to the mystery that awaits us all.

The Pioneering Work of Death Doulas

Death doulas are the teachers we may not want or think we need, but actually do.

Beauty and Grief: The Artists of Green Burial

Beauty heals, and the personalized attention to detail at a green burial service lays the aesthetic groundwork for recovering from a loss.

Grief Without a Grave: Green Burial and Accessibility

After a death, the gravesite is a psychological lifeline for those left behind. What if the grave is located in an area that is hard to access? There are options. Education is key.

It's Not Easy to Become a Tree

Do you want your body to become a tree after death? Here are some viable options.

Remembering Love: Grief and Green Burial in HBO’s "Six Feet Under"

Plan like you are running out of time, because you are.

The Chemistry of Cremated Remains

Are you thinking about having your body cremated after death? There are a few things to consider first.

Maranasati: Where Meditation and Green Burial Intersect

Can a contemplative walk through a green burial ground lessen your fear of death?