Key Takeaways
- U.S. baby boomers (born 1946-1964) show 65% preference for cremation in surveys.
- 54.8% of U.S. millennials (born 1981-1996) prefer cremation over burial per 2023 NFDA survey.
- Women in the U.S. are 12% more likely than men to choose cremation, at 63% vs. 51% preference.
- Average U.S. cremation with viewing service costs $6,970 in 2023, up 5% from 2022.
- Direct cremation (no service) averages $2,285 in U.S. 2023, ranging $1,100-$3,500 by state.
- UK full cremation service averaged £4,200 ($5,300 USD) in 2023 per SunLife report.
- In 2022, the U.S. cremation rate reached 60.5%, up from 56.8% in 2021, according to NFDA data.
- Projections indicate U.S. cremation rate will hit 78.7% by 2045, driven by cost and environmental factors.
- In the UK, 79% of dispositions were cremations in 2022, stable from 78.5% in 2021 per CMF stats.
- Cremation emits 160 kg CO2 per body vs. burial's 50 kg in lifecycle analysis.
- Modern cremators reduce emissions by 95% with filters, per EU standards.
- U.S. cremations produced 535,000 metric tons CO2 equivalent in 2022.
- In 2023, the global cremation services market was valued at approximately $28.5 billion USD, with a projected CAGR of 4.2% through 2030 driven by rising acceptance in emerging markets.
- The U.S. cremation services market alone accounted for $19.2 billion in revenue in 2022, representing 67% of the North American market share.
- Asia-Pacific region dominated the global cremation market with a 45% share in 2023, valued at $12.8 billion due to high population density in countries like India and China.
Cremation demand is surging in the US and worldwide, driven by cost, personalization, and greener options.
Consumer Demographics and Preferences
Consumer Demographics and Preferences Interpretation
Costs and Pricing
Costs and Pricing Interpretation
Cremation Rates and Projections
Cremation Rates and Projections Interpretation
Environmental Impact and Regulations
Environmental Impact and Regulations Interpretation
Market Size and Revenue
Market Size and Revenue Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Sophie Moreland. (2026, February 13). Cremation Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/cremation-industry-statistics
Sophie Moreland. "Cremation Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/cremation-industry-statistics.
Sophie Moreland. 2026. "Cremation Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/cremation-industry-statistics.
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