Members of the Media: If you have questions about the statistics below, would like additional information or data, or would like to interview an expert, please contact nfda's public relations team.

60.5% vs 34.5%

cremation vs. burial: according to nfda’s 2023 cremation and burial report, the 2023 cremation rate is projected to be 60.5% and the burial rate is projected to be 34.5%. click here to learn more

$7,848

cost of a funeral: the national median cost of a funeral with a viewing and burial in 2021 was approximately $7,848 while the median cost of a funeral with cremation was approximately $6,971. click here to learn more.  

60%

interest in green funeral options: according to nfda’s 2023 consumer awareness and preferences report, 60% would be interested in exploring “green” funeral options because of their potential environmental benefits, cost savings or for some other reason, up from 55.7% in 2021.

53.1%

non-traditional funeral locales: according to nfda’s 2023 consumer awareness and preferences report, 53.1% of respondents have attended a funeral at a non-traditional location.

31.7%

cremation ... and burial: according to nfda’s 2023 consumer awareness and preferences report, 31.7% would prefer to have their cremated remains buried or interred in a cemetery, as opposed to kept in an urn at home, scattered in a sentimental location, split among relatives, kept in a place of worship, or some other option.

$16.323 billion

funeral homes are vital businesses that contribute to our nation in ways both seen and unseen. nearly 87% of funeral homes are family- or privately owned, creating a significant tax base and jobs.  according to the latest data (2012) from the u.s. census bureau economic census, the funeral industry generates $16.323 billion in revenue (funeral homes and funeral services: $13.004 billion; cemeteries and crematories: $3.319 billion). the u.s. census bureau economic census also reports that the funeral industry employs 141,002 people, creating $4.7 billion in wages (funeral homes and funeral services (108,385; cemeteries and crematories: 32,617). 

89.2%

still family owned: approximately 89.2% of funeral homes in the united states are privately owned by families or individuals. 

20,000

nfda members: founded in 1882 and with more than 20,000 individual members representing nearly 11,000 funeral homes in 50 countries, nfda is the largest association in the world for the funeral service profession and is dedicated to supporting its members in their mission to provide families with meaningful end-of-life services at the highest levels of excellence and integrity.

113

small businesses: the average nfda-member funeral home serves 113 families per year and has three full-time and four part-time employees.

all data published on this page is based on the latest available government, industry, and research reports; data is updated as new information becomes available. the data on this page was last updated on october 23, 2023