When you think of a fourth-generation funeral director, you might not picture someone launching tech startups, building public-private cemeteries, or reinventing cremation arrangements. But Bryce Bunker is doing exactly that—and then some.
In this previous episode of the Direct Cremation Podcast, hosted by Tyler Yamasaki, Bryce shares his journey from bioscience labs to Silicon Valley startups to helming one of Arizona’s most respected funeral businesses. It’s not just a story of legacy, it’s a masterclass in modern funeral home management, strategic experimentation, and meeting families exactly where they are.
From Biochemistry to Burial
Bryce didn’t take the expected path into the family business. After earning his degree in biosciences from ASU, he had his eyes set on medical school. Instead, a job at a startup in the Bay Area rerouted his trajectory. It wasn’t until a family meeting. called by his father, who was ready to retire, that Bryce seriously considered coming back to death care.
With the family legacy in mind and a startup mindset in his back pocket, Bryce decided to go all-in. He returned to school for mortuary science, started in the care center, and began applying everything he learned in tech to transform how funeral homes operate. From branding to online acquisition strategies, he took what many consider a traditional profession and started building a future-focused foundation.
Testing, Learning, Innovating
Bryce’s approach to funeral home software and funeral service operations reflects his belief in the power of constant iteration. Much like the scientific method he used in the lab, he believes funeral homes need to test hypotheses, gather feedback, and adjust strategies.
That mindset led to several initiatives; improved branding, stronger community outreach, and modernized online funeral arrangements. He emphasized the importance of funeral tech in reaching families who don’t have longstanding ties to a specific funeral home. “How do we win the jump balls?” Bryce asked.
The answer: innovate how your brand shows up online and serve families with unmatched clarity and care.
Gilbert Memorial Park: The Cemetery Reimagined
In 2019, Bryce spearheaded the creation of Gilbert Memorial Park, a public-private partnership with the town of Gilbert, Arizona. In a market with 75–80% cremation rates, building a cemetery might seem risky. But Bryce saw it differently.
Rather than selling plots of land, Gilbert Memorial Park focuses on creating experiences. From pond-side lantern releases to chalkboard memorial walls, the cemetery invites families to return, reflect, and reconnect with loved ones. The facility hosts catered events, memorials, and gatherings that go beyond the traditional graveside service.
This is where Bryce’s philosophy shines: cemeteries must evolve to remain relevant. Families are now three generations removed from when cremated remains were first kept at home. Permanent memorialization has become a growing need. Gilbert Memorial Park meets that moment with grace and innovation.
After.com: Building the Best Online Cremation Software
If Gilbert represents the high-touch, in-person side of modern death care, After.com lives on the opposite end of the spectrum—and that’s intentional.
After.com is a cremation software platform designed for families who want simple, efficient, and online cremation services. During the pandemic, Bryce recognized the growing demand for digital-first solutions. He co-founded After.com to meet that need while keeping the humanity in the process.
“We use technology to augment human connection,”
Bryce explained. Despite being a fully online cremation platform, After.com emphasizes customer service, real people who walk families through every step.
With streamlined online cremation arrangements, tech-enabled grief support, and estate settlement tools, After.com offers more than convenience, it provides peace of mind. And unlike earlier online cremation brands that may have overlooked the emotional side of service, Bryce ensures After.com stays grounded in care and compassion.
Two Paths, One Mission
What makes Bryce’s story so compelling is his ability to hold two very different business models simultaneously: a full-service funeral and cemetery combo on one hand, and an online-only cremation brand on the other.
Some might see that as contradictory. Bryce sees it as complementary.
Every family is different. Some want catered memorials, others prefer digital simplicity. Whether they’re meeting a funeral arranger face-to-face or filling out details online, Bryce wants to provide the highest quality service possible, regardless of how families choose to engage.
The Future of Funeral Tech
Looking ahead, Bryce envisions even more divergence in the industry. He believes the next decade will reward two types of funeral service providers:
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Those offering seamless, tech-driven, online funeral arrangements.
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Those delivering high-touch, personalized, in-person services.
The middle, he says, will shrink. Success will come from leaning fully into one direction—and doing it well.
For traditional firms, that might mean adopting better funeral home software, building a modern funeral website, and considering tools like funeral director apps or crematory software. For digital-first operations, it’s about refining the online cremation service experience while still offering meaningful touchpoints for families.
Final Thoughts
Bryce Bunker represents a new kind of funeral director; one rooted in tradition, but willing to challenge norms in the name of better service. Whether it’s through building innovative funeral home ideas like Gilbert Memorial Park, or developing best-in-class cremation software through After.com, Bryce proves that the future of death care is already here.
And it’s being built by those bold enough to test, fail, learn, and try again.
Ready to evolve your funeral home’s strategy?
Start by learning from leaders like Bryce and don’t be afraid to experiment! The future belongs to those who meet families where they are, online or off.
Watch the full episode here.