Sam Gerstenzang, a former Stripe executive, launched Meadow Memorials after a frustrating experience planning his grandfather's funeral. The New York-based startup offers online funeral planning services, allowing families to arrange memorials without visiting traditional funeral homes. Meadow partners with venues like wedding halls and chapels to provide more personalized options.

Meadow recently secured a $9 million Series A round led by Lachy Groom and Haystack, following a $2 million seed round in 2024. The company claims its software-driven model strips away expensive real estate costs, offering funerals at a fraction of traditional prices. While the national median funeral cost reaches $8,300, Meadow says typical services run around $1,300.

Since expanding beyond California into Texas and Washington, Meadow has tripled its revenue year-over-year and served over 400 families in February alone. Nearly a third of its business now comes from pre-planning services. Investors see potential in disrupting what they call a broken industry dominated by private equity rollups that maintain local names while quietly raising prices. Meadow's approach combines lower costs with what it calls 'unmatched hospitality' through software that frees staff to focus on customer service rather than paperwork.