Key Takeaways
- In 2023, 58.5% of U.S. deaths resulted in cremation, up from 56.8% in 2022.
- UK cremation rate hit 79% in 2023, highest on record, with 1.2 direct cremations daily average.
- Canada saw 74.6% cremation rate in 2023, projected to reach 80% by 2025.
- U.S. annual deaths totaled 3.46 million in 2023, up 6% from 2020.
- Global deaths reached 61.6 million in 2023, 8.7 per 1,000 population.
- U.S. COVID-19 deaths 75,000 in 2023, down 85% from 2021 peak.
- Average U.S. funeral cost was $8,300 in 2023, excluding vault and plot fees.
- Median U.S. cremation cost $6,970 in 2023, up 4.5% from 2022 inflation.
- UK average funeral cost £4,200 in 2023, 10% rise driven by staff wages and energy.
- U.S. funeral directors numbered 28,500 in 2023, 2% decline from 2020.
- Global deathcare workforce estimated 1.2 million in 2023, 60% in Asia.
- SCI employed 16,000 staff in 2023 across 1,500 locations.
- The U.S. funeral services industry revenue reached $20.5 billion in 2023, up 2.8% from the previous year driven by aging population.
- Global deathcare market size was valued at $112.4 billion in 2022 and projected to grow to $145.7 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 3.3%.
- U.S. cemetery revenue totaled $6.2 billion in 2023, with a 1.5% YoY growth amid rising pre-need sales.
Cremation keeps rising in 2023, with the US at 58.5% and record UK levels driving steady market growth.
Cremation Statistics
Cremation Statistics Interpretation
Death Rates & Mortality
Death Rates & Mortality Interpretation
Funeral Costs
Funeral Costs Interpretation
Industry Employment
Industry Employment Interpretation
Market Size & Growth
Market Size & Growth 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.
David Kowalski. (2026, February 13). Deathcare Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/deathcare-industry-statistics
David Kowalski. "Deathcare Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/deathcare-industry-statistics.
David Kowalski. 2026. "Deathcare Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/deathcare-industry-statistics.
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