Are we nearing the “Cremation Peak”?

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There are some interesting survey results out that question if the United States will soon reach the “Peak Percentage” of cremation rates as the disposition of choice.

Last year at this time the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) was readying some of their results on the “Changing Funeral Preferences” survey.  I remember being at the NFDA Convention in New Orleans where we were told that the youngest surveyed Americans, Generation Z, had actually returned survey results that they prefer traditional burial over cremation at this time.  You can learn more about that survey here.

American Gen Z’ers have indicated  that a need for closure, a desire for ritual, and the “avoidance of ashes as a burden” are three reasons for the popularity of earth burial of that group.  “Ashes as a burden” is defined by a concern for what happens to inherited urns.

And, a 2025 survey of the same type by British firm Farewell is headlined by a similar headline, “Gen-Z Britons prefer burial“.  In the survey as this article from Funeral Service Times (you may find a paywall here) indicates, 41% of those Gen Z Brits favored traditional burial to just 35% that would favor cremation.

The article states “this finding appears to be “partially” driven by a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, as cremations cause far more carbon emissions than burials.”

The Cremation Association of America (CANA) stated earlier this year, as you can read in this article, that the rate of cremation in the United States is “Decelerating”.  CANA states the cremation rate for 2023 was 60.6% and the projected rate in 2024 is expected to be 61.8% when all final numbers are known.

For comparison sake, Canada has a national cremation rate percentage of 76.7% and Great Britain has a rate of 79.8%.

Rebecca Peach, CEO of Great Britain’s Farewell Guide made this comment in the Funeral Service Times article:

“We’re witnessing a shift in how younger people approach end-of-life planning. Obviously most of them are many decades away from this planning going into effect – but it does seem that the long rise of cremations may be nearing some kind of peak, especially as these younger people will start to seriously influence the decisions f their older relatives. . . . .

This reflects a deeper understanding of environmental impact among Gen Z. They’re seeking ways to honour themselves or loved ones while also being conscious of the planet.” 

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  I find this information about the preferences of Gen Z fascinating.  That is the group born in in 1997 and after.  So they are 28 years of age and younger.  And, as Ms. Peach states, “Will they start influencing the decisions of their parents and grandparents bending the curve on cremation preference earlier than expected?”

One would also ask — “If cremation is not their top disposition priority and traditional burial is, will that group start looking to green burials and natural organic reduction in greater numbers — especially as they learn of those options and how they may coincide with the age group’s environmental consciousness?”

The choice in a vacuum —  Sometimes surveys can be misleading also.  For instance, if I was asked which car I would like to drive a Ferrari or a Chevrolet Equinox (that’s what I do drive), I would choose a Ferrari.  However, that simple question does not take into account the cost of purchasing the car or the conditions that I sometimes drive under, such as Minnesota’s snow.

When those conditions come into play my answer is different.  My choice is a Chevrolet Equinox.

I’m a firm believer of the following, and I saw this when working day-to-day in the funeral home.  Cremation is not always the first choice of families.  However, when the holistic results of one’s choice are considered, cremation wins out a lot more often than not. . . . especially when price and convenience are two of the family variables.

I can’t help but wonder if the younger people in these surveys, the Generation Z group, has considered all of the other variables when choosing traditional burial or if they truly have an attitude toward their disposition wishes that will bend the cremation curve.

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