When Melissa Meadow’s border collie mix Kermit became the first certified therapy dog in Texas to work formally in funeral service, neither of them knew they were about to become unlikely icons of the death-positive movement. Today, Widdle Kermit Ambrosious von Przygodski—yes, that’s his full name—and Melissa educate almost half a million social media followers across 3 platforms.
The name itself tells a story: a tribute to David Bowie (Kermit has two different colored eyes), a loyal Ewok, and of course, the Muppet frog who famously sang “It’s not easy being green.” But Meadow’s Kermit teaches people quite the opposite—that it IS easy being green… in death.
“Come for the dog, stay for the death education, or vice versa,” Meadow explains, noting how countless people have discovered green funerals, death doula care, and home funeral options simply by stumbling across Kermit’s heartwarming presence online. What begins as a scroll-stopping moment—a stoic therapy dog at a funeral home or education event—often transforms into meaningful conversations about sustainable death care and family empowerment during end-of-life planning.
Kermit’s social media presence has become a powerful educational tool, breaking down the fear and stigma surrounding death. At conferences and educational events nationwide, attendees initially gather to meet the famous therapy dog, then find themselves engaged in discussions about green burials, conservation burial grounds, and alternatives to traditional funeral homes. His gentle presence creates a safe space for conversations people typically avoid.
Behind Kermit’s viral success is Meadow’s decade of experience as a licensed funeral director in Texas and Washington, where she witnessed firsthand how the traditional funeral industry often exploits grieving families through hidden fees, pressure tactics, and limited options. After leaving the conventional funeral home model, she founded The Modern Mortician to offer transparent guidance as a funeral consultant and end-of-life doula.
Most recently, Meadow and Kermit helped establish the Green Burial Sanctuary for Pets in Kingston, Washington—the Pacific Northwest’s first dedicated green burial park for pets, offering permanent resting places for cremated remains or whole-body burials. Founded and owned by holistic veterinarian Dr. Christin Finn, the sanctuary represents their shared vision of compassionate, sustainable death care that extends to all members of our families.
The project exemplifies their broader mission: helping communities establish green burial resting places for both people and pets while continuing to educate the public about death care options most families never knew existed. Through her Exposing Deathcare podcast, consulting services, and educational workshops, Meadow challenges an industry she believes has lost sight of serving grieving families with dignity and transparency.
Kermit has become living proof that grief support can take many forms—and that sometimes, the most effective death educator has four paws and a wagging tail.
Follow Kermit and Melissa’s death-positive journey:
- Facebook: The Modern Mortician
- TikTok: @the_modern_mortician
- Instagram: @the_modern_mortician
- LinkedIn: The Modern Mortician