GITNUXREPORT 2025

Death Care Industry Statistics

Global death care market reaching $155 billion by 2027, shifting toward eco-friendly, digital solutions.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average cost of a funeral in the U.S. is approximately $7,000 to $12,000

Statistic 2

Approximately 60% of American adults prefer cremation over burial

Statistic 3

The average length of funeral service planning in the U.S. is around 9-10 days

Statistic 4

Nearly 25% of Americans have not made any funeral arrangements in advance, exposing families to higher costs

Statistic 5

The median cost of a cremation in the U.S. is about $1,300, significantly lower than traditional burial costs

Statistic 6

Despite the rise of cremation, traditional burial remains dominant in many countries, holding approximately 60-70% of funerals worldwide

Statistic 7

Funeral sentiment surveys show that about 70% of people prefer a celebration of life or personalized service over traditional arrangements

Statistic 8

Funeral industry profit margins are typically around 10-15%, depending on services provided and location

Statistic 9

A survey indicated that 85% of consumers are interested in virtual memorial services due to convenience and safety concerns

Statistic 10

The median price for a basic funeral service in Canada is approximately $8,000 CAD, which varies significantly by province

Statistic 11

The number of deaths worldwide is expected to reach around 103 million annually by 2050

Statistic 12

About 3 million people die annually in the U.S., representing roughly 0.9% of the population

Statistic 13

The median age at death in the U.S. is approximately 78 years

Statistic 14

The average age of funeral directors in the industry is about 50 years, indicating an aging workforce

Statistic 15

In the U.S., minority ethnic groups are more likely to choose cremation over burial, with rates exceeding 70% in some Asian and Hispanic communities

Statistic 16

Worldwide, about 30% of funeral ceremonies incorporate cultural or religious rituals tailored to specific communities, reflecting diversity in death practices

Statistic 17

Green or eco-friendly burials are gaining popularity, representing about 15% of all funerals in some regions

Statistic 18

The use of biodegradable caskets and urns is growing at an annual rate of around 9%, reflecting environmental concerns

Statistic 19

In 2022, approximately 35% of U.S. funeral homes reported adopting eco-friendly practices such as solar power usage or recycling

Statistic 20

The rise of eco-conscious consumers has prompted approximately 20% of funeral homes in certain regions to offer biodegradable options

Statistic 21

The funeral industry’s adoption of green initiatives is driven partly by legislation in some regions requiring environmentally friendly disposal methods

Statistic 22

The use of biodegradable and natural burial options increased by 15% in Europe between 2019 and 2022, demonstrating environmental awareness

Statistic 23

The global death care industry is projected to reach a market size of approximately $155 billion by 2027

Statistic 24

The United States accounts for about 41% of the global death care market

Statistic 25

Cremation rates in the U.S. increased from 24.5% in 1999 to 56.1% in 2020

Statistic 26

The global embalming services market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2028

Statistic 27

The funeral services industry in the U.S. generated revenue of about $31 billion in 2022

Statistic 28

The number of funeral homes operating in the U.S. has decreased by approximately 52% since 1980

Statistic 29

The global market for urns and memorial products is projected to reach $6 billion by 2025

Statistic 30

The use of virtual memorials and online tributes has increased by over 60% in the past five years

Statistic 31

The number of cremations in the UK has risen to over 75% of all funeral services, reversing historical burial dominance

Statistic 32

The average funeral home handles around 150 to 200 cases per year, depending on location

Statistic 33

Death care industry employment in the US is estimated to be over 100,000 people, including funeral directors, embalmers, and support staff

Statistic 34

The global demand for pre-need funeral planning is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% through 2030, driven by aging populations

Statistic 35

The majority of funeral homes in the U.S. are independently owned, comprising about 80% of the industry

Statistic 36

The global digital memorials market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.2% from 2023 to 2030, driven by increasing online engagement

Statistic 37

The funeral insurance market in the U.S. is valued at over $12 billion as of 2023, with steady growth expected

Statistic 38

The funeral industry has seen a significant increase in the use of live-streaming services, with about 65% of funeral homes offering this option in 2023

Statistic 39

The number of pet funerals and memorial services has increased by 40% over the past decade, reflecting rising pet ownership trends

Statistic 40

The market share of direct cremations (without a funeral service) in the U.S. has grown to approximately 50% of all cremations, up from 30% a decade ago

Statistic 41

The funeral scents and aromatherapy market is growing, projected to reach $1.2 billion globally by 2025, emphasizing the industry’s shift toward comfort-based services

Statistic 42

The global market for funeral software solutions is expected to reach $300 million by 2026, aiding in management and digital record keeping

Statistic 43

The average funeral planning time has decreased from 14 days in 2015 to around 9 days in 2023, indicating faster arrangements

Statistic 44

The number of funeral homes utilizing AI-driven grief support chatbots increased by over 50% in the past two years, reflecting digital adaptation

Statistic 45

The demand for grief counseling and aftercare services has increased by 30% over the last five years, aligning with industry focus on holistic support

Statistic 46

The death care industry has been increasingly adopting digital technology, with 78% of funeral homes offering online grief support by 2022

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Key Highlights

The global death care industry is projected to reach a market size of approximately $155 billion by 2027
The United States accounts for about 41% of the global death care market
Cremation rates in the U.S. increased from 24.5% in 1999 to 56.1% in 2020
The average cost of a funeral in the U.S. is approximately $7,000 to $12,000
The number of deaths worldwide is expected to reach around 103 million annually by 2050
Approximately 60% of American adults prefer cremation over burial
The global embalming services market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2028
The funeral services industry in the U.S. generated revenue of about $31 billion in 2022
About 3 million people die annually in the U.S., representing roughly 0.9% of the population
The median age at death in the U.S. is approximately 78 years
The number of funeral homes operating in the U.S. has decreased by approximately 52% since 1980
Green or eco-friendly burials are gaining popularity, representing about 15% of all funerals in some regions
The average length of funeral service planning in the U.S. is around 9-10 days

The death care industry is undergoing a seismic shift, with market projections soaring to $155 billion globally by 2027 and innovative trends like cremation, eco-friendly practices, and digital memorials transforming how societies honor their loved ones.

Cost and Consumer Preferences

The average cost of a funeral in the U.S. is approximately $7,000 to $12,000
Approximately 60% of American adults prefer cremation over burial
The average length of funeral service planning in the U.S. is around 9-10 days
Nearly 25% of Americans have not made any funeral arrangements in advance, exposing families to higher costs
The median cost of a cremation in the U.S. is about $1,300, significantly lower than traditional burial costs
Despite the rise of cremation, traditional burial remains dominant in many countries, holding approximately 60-70% of funerals worldwide
Funeral sentiment surveys show that about 70% of people prefer a celebration of life or personalized service over traditional arrangements
Funeral industry profit margins are typically around 10-15%, depending on services provided and location
A survey indicated that 85% of consumers are interested in virtual memorial services due to convenience and safety concerns
The median price for a basic funeral service in Canada is approximately $8,000 CAD, which varies significantly by province

Cost and Consumer Preferences Interpretation

As Americans increasingly favor cremation and personalized celebrations over traditional funerals, many still face the challenge of planning these final acts within a tight window—and at a cost that can quickly escalate beyond the average $7,000 to $12,000—highlighting a funeral industry that balances profitable margins with the need for accessible, meaningful end-of-life options amidst evolving preferences.

Demographic and Cultural Insights

The number of deaths worldwide is expected to reach around 103 million annually by 2050
About 3 million people die annually in the U.S., representing roughly 0.9% of the population
The median age at death in the U.S. is approximately 78 years
The average age of funeral directors in the industry is about 50 years, indicating an aging workforce
In the U.S., minority ethnic groups are more likely to choose cremation over burial, with rates exceeding 70% in some Asian and Hispanic communities
Worldwide, about 30% of funeral ceremonies incorporate cultural or religious rituals tailored to specific communities, reflecting diversity in death practices

Demographic and Cultural Insights Interpretation

As our global population edges ever closer to 103 million annual deaths by 2050, the aging funeral director workforce and shifting preferences among diverse communities underscore a sobering truth: adapting to the cultural and demographic nuances of death is both a matter of compassion and industry sustainability.

Environmental and Green Practices

Green or eco-friendly burials are gaining popularity, representing about 15% of all funerals in some regions
The use of biodegradable caskets and urns is growing at an annual rate of around 9%, reflecting environmental concerns
In 2022, approximately 35% of U.S. funeral homes reported adopting eco-friendly practices such as solar power usage or recycling
The rise of eco-conscious consumers has prompted approximately 20% of funeral homes in certain regions to offer biodegradable options
The funeral industry’s adoption of green initiatives is driven partly by legislation in some regions requiring environmentally friendly disposal methods
The use of biodegradable and natural burial options increased by 15% in Europe between 2019 and 2022, demonstrating environmental awareness

Environmental and Green Practices Interpretation

As eco-consciousness steadily redefines final farewells, the funeral industry is embracing green initiatives—from biodegradable caskets to solar-powered funeral homes—highlighting a poignant shift where even death is following the trends toward sustainability.

Market Trends and Industry Growth

The global death care industry is projected to reach a market size of approximately $155 billion by 2027
The United States accounts for about 41% of the global death care market
Cremation rates in the U.S. increased from 24.5% in 1999 to 56.1% in 2020
The global embalming services market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2028
The funeral services industry in the U.S. generated revenue of about $31 billion in 2022
The number of funeral homes operating in the U.S. has decreased by approximately 52% since 1980
The global market for urns and memorial products is projected to reach $6 billion by 2025
The use of virtual memorials and online tributes has increased by over 60% in the past five years
The number of cremations in the UK has risen to over 75% of all funeral services, reversing historical burial dominance
The average funeral home handles around 150 to 200 cases per year, depending on location
Death care industry employment in the US is estimated to be over 100,000 people, including funeral directors, embalmers, and support staff
The global demand for pre-need funeral planning is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% through 2030, driven by aging populations
The majority of funeral homes in the U.S. are independently owned, comprising about 80% of the industry
The global digital memorials market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.2% from 2023 to 2030, driven by increasing online engagement
The funeral insurance market in the U.S. is valued at over $12 billion as of 2023, with steady growth expected
The funeral industry has seen a significant increase in the use of live-streaming services, with about 65% of funeral homes offering this option in 2023
The number of pet funerals and memorial services has increased by 40% over the past decade, reflecting rising pet ownership trends
The market share of direct cremations (without a funeral service) in the U.S. has grown to approximately 50% of all cremations, up from 30% a decade ago
The funeral scents and aromatherapy market is growing, projected to reach $1.2 billion globally by 2025, emphasizing the industry’s shift toward comfort-based services
The global market for funeral software solutions is expected to reach $300 million by 2026, aiding in management and digital record keeping
The average funeral planning time has decreased from 14 days in 2015 to around 9 days in 2023, indicating faster arrangements
The number of funeral homes utilizing AI-driven grief support chatbots increased by over 50% in the past two years, reflecting digital adaptation
The demand for grief counseling and aftercare services has increased by 30% over the last five years, aligning with industry focus on holistic support

Market Trends and Industry Growth Interpretation

As the death care industry approaches a $155 billion milestone by 2027, with cremation rates soaring, digital memorials booming, and more pet funerals than ever, it’s clear that whether through traditional services or high-tech tributes, the industry is evolving rapidly—perhaps because even in death, people prefer convenience, customization, and a touch of high-tech compassion.

Technology and Innovation

The death care industry has been increasingly adopting digital technology, with 78% of funeral homes offering online grief support by 2022

Technology and Innovation Interpretation

As the death care industry digitalizes, with 78% of funeral homes now offering online grief support by 2022, it's clear that even in the final chapter of life, we're embracing a more connected, virtual farewell.