Jan Porten

Jan Porten’s path into funeral service began with personal loss.

After her father passed away, Jan found herself navigating grief while also having to help make important decisions she didn’t feel fully prepared for. At the time, she trusted the process and did the best she could with the information she had. It wasn’t until later, through reflection, learning, and research, that she came to understand how much choice and involvement families can have after a death. She realized there were questions she could have asked, time she could have requested, and moments she could have spent with her dad that she didn’t know were possible. That realization stayed with her, and it quietly but profoundly shaped her life.

From that experience, a vision emerged: to approach funeral service differently: not by taking over for families, but by inviting them in. Not by limiting options to what is traditionally offered, but by gently asking what families they need and allowing them to guide what feels right for them. From that perspective, Jan developed a vision of building a bridge between life and death. One rooted in clarity, compassion, and meaningful connection.

Jan founded Sage Funeral Home to offer something intentionally different. Sage was created as a warm, grounded space, an environment that feels welcoming rather than formal or intimidating. She believes that the most meaningful rituals are not always costly, but rich in memory, shaped by intention, participation, and presence.

At the heart of Jan’s work is education and transparency. She is deeply committed to ensuring families understand their options, feel empowered to make informed decisions, and are supported at their own pace. Jan believes funeral service should never feel transactional; families are choosing people, placing trust, and seeking reassurance during one of life’s most vulnerable moments.

Jan is known for her calm presence, attentive listening, and ability to walk alongside families with steadiness and care. Her approach is guided by respect for each family’s values, beliefs, and relationships, and by the understanding that there is no single “right” way to grieve or to honor a life.

Outside of her professional life, Jan is married and deeply rooted in family. She is a mother and grandmother, and these roles continue to shape how she shows up, with empathy, patience, and a deep appreciation for love, loss, and legacy.

For Jan, Sage Funeral Home is more than a profession. It is an expression of her values and her lived experience, and her way of offering families care that is both compassionate and intentional, supporting them not only in saying goodbye, but in remembering what mattered most.