The Gunderson family with their dog, Elmer
For more than 100 years, Gunderson Funeral Home has been serving families as they go through some of their hardest moments. The longest running family-owned and -operated funeral home in Dane County takes pride in caring for others and the neighborhoods where they reside.
“The Gundersons have built their family and their legacy here for generations,” said Sierra Miles, general manager of Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services. “Whether it’s through philanthropy or supporting their employees’ career growth, they believe in investing in this community. Because of that, people know they can turn to us during a difficult time.”
Compassionate service
Founder Elmer Gunderson served in World War II as an undertaker, sending soldiers’ remains back to their families for dignified burials. After leaving the military, he continued that work in Madison where he and his wife, Inez, opened Gunderson Funeral Home.
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Today, Gunderson has funeral home locations in Cross Plains, Fitchburg, Lodi, Madison, Middleton, Oregon, Stoughton, Mt. Horeb and Black Earth. Each Gunderson facility upholds the values of its founder, offering compassionate, personalized care to every family.
The loss of a loved one can be overwhelming. Gunderson’s funeral directors understand the gravity of loss and grief and they are well-equipped to help you navigate the process.
“When someone passes and is released to our care, we try to take as much off the family’s plate as possible,” Miles said. “We will handle the logistical details, doing things like calling Social Security to notify them of your loved one’s passing and obtaining a death certificate. We try to give family members as much time as possible to focus on their grief and taking care of one another.”
Gunderson offers a range of services, including traditional funerals, cremation services and green burials. Staff members can assist a family in honoring their loved one while respecting their personal preferences, budget, culture and religious faith.
“When working with a family, we let them take the lead while we guide and support them,” Miles said. “It’s important to honor their wishes because a service should tell the unique story of their loved one.”
Building a stronger region
Now operated by third and fourth generation family members, Peter Gunderson, Elmer’s grandson, is the current company president. His son and fourth generation, Matt Gunderson, is the current vice president. Matt's wife, Rachel Gunderson, and cousin, Skyler Gunderson, are active funeral directors and show the Gunderson legacy is going strong. They are all active in the region through numerous philanthropic endeavors.
“As a company, we have always believed that if a community supports us, we should do the same,” Miles said.
Staff members volunteer at organizations such as Gilda’s Club and work in support of local veterans. The company also supports local schools, athletic teams and libraries.
In addition, Gunderson has led efforts to make Wisconsin businesses more eco-friendly. Gunderson has, for instance, eliminated polystyrene foam usage, phased out plasticware and has increased recycling, earning the company the 2024 Climate Change Champion award from the Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change.
“If you are taking care of your community, that also means taking care of the environment,” Miles said. “We understand that charity and personal and environmental stewardship are our duties within the areas we serve. It’s a point of pride for our company and employees.”
Visit gundersonfh.com to learn more about Gunderson Funeral Home.
