GITNUXREPORT 2025

Funeral Home Industry Statistics

Global funeral market valued at $66.4 billion in 2022.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Cremations accounted for about 56% of funerals in the U.S. in 2022

Statistic 2

The number of cremations in the U.S. surpassed traditional burials for the first time in 2020

Statistic 3

Approximately 64.6% of Americans preferred cremation over burial in 2022

Statistic 4

The average time from death to funeral in the US is approximately 7 calendar days

Statistic 5

Approximately 90% of funeral homes offer grief support and aftercare services

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More than two-thirds of Americans have pre-arranged their funeral plans, according to surveys conducted in 2022

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The average length of a funeral service in the U.S. is about 45 minutes

Statistic 8

The popularity of memorial services separate from funerals is growing, now accounting for about 20% of all services

Statistic 9

The trend towards direct cremation without ceremonies has increased significantly, making up roughly 40% of cremation services in 2022

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The demand for personalized funeral services has grown, now representing about 35% of all funerals in 2022

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The average length of time for funeral pre-planning in the U.S. is about 3-4 months before the funeral date

Statistic 12

The percentage of bereaved families hiring funeral homes that provide eco-friendly options has increased to over 30% in 2022

Statistic 13

Digital obituary postings have increased by more than 50% since 2020, reflecting changing preferences in memorialization

Statistic 14

The industry saw a 15% decline in traditional funeral home visits in urban areas due to digital transformation and changing customer preferences

Statistic 15

The funeral industry is seeing a rising trend of environmentally friendly or green burials, accounting for up to 15% of funerals in some regions

Statistic 16

About 70% of funeral homes have adopted eco-friendly practices, including biodegradable caskets and green cemeteries

Statistic 17

In the U.S., about 25% of funeral homes offer green burial options as of 2022

Statistic 18

The number of sustainable or eco-conscious funeral products has increased by approximately 25% annually over the past three years

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In 2021, there were about 19,000 licensed funeral homes across the U.S.

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The number of funeral homes in the U.S. decreased by about 12% from 2004 to 2019

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The average age of funeral home owners in the U.S. is over 60 years

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Approximately 80% of funeral homes in the U.S. are family-owned businesses

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The most common type of embalming fluid used is formaldehyde-based, comprising around 80% of embalming procedures

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The funeral home industry employs over 150,000 people in the United States

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The percentage of funeral home revenue coming from casket sales is roughly 45-50%

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The COVID-19 pandemic caused a 15% increase in the number of funerals in 2020 compared to 2019

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The majority of funeral homes in the U.S. are located in urban areas, comprising around 80% of establishments

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The average number of funeral homes per state in the U.S. is approximately 50, with some states having significantly more or fewer

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In 2022, the average funeral director’s salary was estimated to be around $90,000 per year in the U.S.

Statistic 30

Approximately 35% of funeral homes report difficulties in finding qualified staff, according to industry surveys in 2022

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The majority of funeral homes have a dedicated grief resource center, with over 60% offering ongoing bereavement support

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The average funeral home has a staff size of about 4-6 employees, including directors and support staff

Statistic 33

The funeral home industry has a gross profit margin of approximately 25-30%, depending on services offered

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The average age of funeral home patrons is estimated to be around 45-64 years old, indicating a mature customer base

Statistic 35

The average number of services offered per funeral home is about 4, including embalming, body transportation, cremation, and arrangement meetings

Statistic 36

The global funeral services market was valued at approximately $66.4 billion in 2022

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The U.S. funeral industry revenue was around $20 billion in 2021

Statistic 38

The average cost of a funeral in the U.S. in 2022 was approximately $7,900

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The average price of a traditional funeral in the UK was around £4,800 in 2022

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The global online funeral market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 8% from 2022 to 2030

Statistic 41

Over 70% of funeral homes reported an increase in pre-need sales during 2021

Statistic 42

The average expenditure per person on funeral services is approximately $9,000 globally

Statistic 43

The number of veterans’ funerals in the US was about 126,000 in 2022, representing roughly 18% of all funerals

Statistic 44

Funeral home revenue from cremation services accounted for nearly 55% of total revenue in 2022

Statistic 45

The global online memorials market is expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2025, advancing at a CAGR of 10%

Statistic 46

The funeral home industry generates approximately 45% of its revenue from casket and urn sales combined

Statistic 47

The fragrance and specialty product segment in funeral homes has seen a 20% growth in sales over the past year

Statistic 48

The United States funeral home industry revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 2% through 2027

Statistic 49

The funeral home industry contributes significantly to local economies, with some small firms generating over $1 million annually

Statistic 50

The use of web streaming services for funerals increased by over 400% during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 51

Nearly 65% of funeral homes have adopted some form of digital marketing

Statistic 52

The adoption rate of web-based funeral arrangements increased by nearly 50% between 2020 and 2022

Statistic 53

Approximately 50% of funeral homes are exploring or have adopted contactless payment systems, especially post-2020

Statistic 54

The percentage of funeral homes offering online grief support resources increased by over 60% during 2020-2022

Statistic 55

Over 85% of funeral homes now have social media profiles to reach families and community members

Statistic 56

The industry has seen a 10% increase in telehealth and virtual consultation services for funeral planning during the pandemic period

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Key Highlights

The global funeral services market was valued at approximately $66.4 billion in 2022
The U.S. funeral industry revenue was around $20 billion in 2021
The average cost of a funeral in the U.S. in 2022 was approximately $7,900
Cremations accounted for about 56% of funerals in the U.S. in 2022
The number of cremations in the U.S. surpassed traditional burials for the first time in 2020
Approximately 64.6% of Americans preferred cremation over burial in 2022
The average price of a traditional funeral in the UK was around £4,800 in 2022
In 2021, there were about 19,000 licensed funeral homes across the U.S.
The number of funeral homes in the U.S. decreased by about 12% from 2004 to 2019
The average age of funeral home owners in the U.S. is over 60 years
Approximately 80% of funeral homes in the U.S. are family-owned businesses
The global online funeral market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 8% from 2022 to 2030
The use of web streaming services for funerals increased by over 400% during the COVID-19 pandemic

As the funeral industry navigates a rapidly evolving landscape marked by a booming cremation market, rising digital adoption, and a shift toward eco-friendly practices, it’s clear that this centuries-old industry is reinventing itself in the face of modern demands.

Consumer Preferences and Trends

Cremations accounted for about 56% of funerals in the U.S. in 2022
The number of cremations in the U.S. surpassed traditional burials for the first time in 2020
Approximately 64.6% of Americans preferred cremation over burial in 2022
The average time from death to funeral in the US is approximately 7 calendar days
Approximately 90% of funeral homes offer grief support and aftercare services
More than two-thirds of Americans have pre-arranged their funeral plans, according to surveys conducted in 2022
The average length of a funeral service in the U.S. is about 45 minutes
The popularity of memorial services separate from funerals is growing, now accounting for about 20% of all services
The trend towards direct cremation without ceremonies has increased significantly, making up roughly 40% of cremation services in 2022
The demand for personalized funeral services has grown, now representing about 35% of all funerals in 2022
The average length of time for funeral pre-planning in the U.S. is about 3-4 months before the funeral date
The percentage of bereaved families hiring funeral homes that provide eco-friendly options has increased to over 30% in 2022
Digital obituary postings have increased by more than 50% since 2020, reflecting changing preferences in memorialization
The industry saw a 15% decline in traditional funeral home visits in urban areas due to digital transformation and changing customer preferences

Consumer Preferences and Trends Interpretation

As cremations now surpass traditional burials in the U.S., with nearly two-thirds preferring eco-conscious, personalized, and digital memorial options, the funeral industry is clearly evolving from solemn rituals to compassionate, modern farewells suited for a tech-savvy yet environmentally mindful generation.

Environmental and Sustainability Developments

The funeral industry is seeing a rising trend of environmentally friendly or green burials, accounting for up to 15% of funerals in some regions
About 70% of funeral homes have adopted eco-friendly practices, including biodegradable caskets and green cemeteries
In the U.S., about 25% of funeral homes offer green burial options as of 2022
The number of sustainable or eco-conscious funeral products has increased by approximately 25% annually over the past three years

Environmental and Sustainability Developments Interpretation

As eco-consciousness buries its way into the funeral industry, with a quarter of U.S. funeral homes now offering green options and a 25% annual surge in sustainable products, it's clear that even in death, going green is a cause worth raising—perhaps even more so than in life.

Industry Structure and Demographics

In 2021, there were about 19,000 licensed funeral homes across the U.S.
The number of funeral homes in the U.S. decreased by about 12% from 2004 to 2019
The average age of funeral home owners in the U.S. is over 60 years
Approximately 80% of funeral homes in the U.S. are family-owned businesses
The most common type of embalming fluid used is formaldehyde-based, comprising around 80% of embalming procedures
The funeral home industry employs over 150,000 people in the United States
The percentage of funeral home revenue coming from casket sales is roughly 45-50%
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a 15% increase in the number of funerals in 2020 compared to 2019
The majority of funeral homes in the U.S. are located in urban areas, comprising around 80% of establishments
The average number of funeral homes per state in the U.S. is approximately 50, with some states having significantly more or fewer
In 2022, the average funeral director’s salary was estimated to be around $90,000 per year in the U.S.
Approximately 35% of funeral homes report difficulties in finding qualified staff, according to industry surveys in 2022
The majority of funeral homes have a dedicated grief resource center, with over 60% offering ongoing bereavement support
The average funeral home has a staff size of about 4-6 employees, including directors and support staff
The funeral home industry has a gross profit margin of approximately 25-30%, depending on services offered
The average age of funeral home patrons is estimated to be around 45-64 years old, indicating a mature customer base
The average number of services offered per funeral home is about 4, including embalming, body transportation, cremation, and arrangement meetings

Industry Structure and Demographics Interpretation

As the industry ages gracefully amid shrinking numbers and staffing strains, funeral homes—primarily family-run urban establishments—embody a somber yet steady pillar of American tradition, with formaldehyde still holding a grave grip on embalming practices even as COVID-19 nudged death care into a pandemic-driven surge.

Market Size and Revenue Trends

The global funeral services market was valued at approximately $66.4 billion in 2022
The U.S. funeral industry revenue was around $20 billion in 2021
The average cost of a funeral in the U.S. in 2022 was approximately $7,900
The average price of a traditional funeral in the UK was around £4,800 in 2022
The global online funeral market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 8% from 2022 to 2030
Over 70% of funeral homes reported an increase in pre-need sales during 2021
The average expenditure per person on funeral services is approximately $9,000 globally
The number of veterans’ funerals in the US was about 126,000 in 2022, representing roughly 18% of all funerals
Funeral home revenue from cremation services accounted for nearly 55% of total revenue in 2022
The global online memorials market is expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2025, advancing at a CAGR of 10%
The funeral home industry generates approximately 45% of its revenue from casket and urn sales combined
The fragrance and specialty product segment in funeral homes has seen a 20% growth in sales over the past year
The United States funeral home industry revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 2% through 2027
The funeral home industry contributes significantly to local economies, with some small firms generating over $1 million annually

Market Size and Revenue Trends Interpretation

As the industry approaches a $70 billion global footprint with rising online memorials and cremation revenues now surpassing traditional casket sales, it's clear that even in the face of profound loss, the funeral sector is innovating and expanding, reminding us that dignity and commerce often dance closely in life's final act.

Technological Adoption and Innovation

The use of web streaming services for funerals increased by over 400% during the COVID-19 pandemic
Nearly 65% of funeral homes have adopted some form of digital marketing
The adoption rate of web-based funeral arrangements increased by nearly 50% between 2020 and 2022
Approximately 50% of funeral homes are exploring or have adopted contactless payment systems, especially post-2020
The percentage of funeral homes offering online grief support resources increased by over 60% during 2020-2022
Over 85% of funeral homes now have social media profiles to reach families and community members
The industry has seen a 10% increase in telehealth and virtual consultation services for funeral planning during the pandemic period

Technological Adoption and Innovation Interpretation

As the funeral industry embraces digital transformation—from streaming farewells to contactless payments and virtual grief support—it’s clear that even in mourning, technology is reshaping how we connect, commemorate, and comfort in times of loss.