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Cremation Services in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Tina Fine Tina Fine New York, United States Last Updated: September 2024 NAICS OD4415

Revenue

$3.3bn

2024

$3.3bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

18,387

Businesses

10,910

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Cremation Services in the US industry analysis

Many factors have fueled consumers' choice of cremation services over traditional burial. The increasing cost of conventional burial products such as caskets and services, especially in population centers with diminished cemetery space, has prompted consumers to consider lower-cost cremation. The declining significance of religious traditions in some regions has made the initial set-up costs of crematory services less risky. And the transience of the US population has diminished the importance of permanent burial plots. Not only have religious attitudes mattered, but changing attitudes toward pets have also increased the services for dogs and cats. The tragic number of deaths during the pandemic sent revenue skyrocketing in 2020, leading to industry-wide solid revenue growth at a CAGR of 5.9% over the past five years, expected to total $3.5 billion in 2024, when revenue will jump by an estimated 1.9%.

Trends and Insights

  • Pet funeral arrangements are on the rise, with most owners choosing cremation. This trend reflects how deeply pets are integrated into family life.
  • Green cremations are revitalizing cremation trends. Known as eco-friendly cremations, these methods minimize environmental impact and are becoming increasingly popular.
  • Demographic and cultural factors can outweigh population density in determining crematoria locations. Areas with a high proportion of elderly populations or cultures that oppose cremation will likely have fewer cremation facilities.
  • Rising technology costs could spur industry consolidation. Larger funeral homes may expand their cremation services to offset lost revenue from the shift to low-cost options, likely through acquisitions due to the high upfront capital required.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 4.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $3.3bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Virtual technology and increasing prices of traditional burial have buoyed cremation revenue

  • A cremation is a flexible option where families can keep cremated remains if they relocate or hold the memorial services later. Tech integration is transforming how cremation services are planned and executed. Virtual memorials and livestreamed services are becoming popular, especially post-pandemic. Online platforms are making it easier for families to plan services remotely. This tech trend offers convenience and flexibility, catering to a more digitally-savvy clientele.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Cremation Services in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Demographic trends spell steady growth and impact location of services

  • Cremation is currently most popular among individuals aged 65 to 84. This age group is more prone to terminal illnesses, making them the primary contributors to the industry's revenue.

Biggest companies in the Cremation Services in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($short_0)
2024
Profit ($short_0)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Cremation Services in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Cremation Services in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Human cremations at funeral homes, Resale of merchandise and Pet cremations. Human cremations at funeral homes is the largest segment of the Cremation Services in the US.

Trends and Insights

Funeral homes lead in cremation services

  • Cremation services involve the incineration of human remains and often include preparatory services such as embalming and open-casket memorials, as well as products like urns. Most human cremations occur in facilities affiliated with a funeral home.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry offers cremation services for humans and pets at funeral homes and standalone crematoria. It also retails various funeral-related products, such as caskets, urns, memorabilia and virtual and digital services.

What's included in this industry?

Human cremations at funeral homesResale of merchandisePet cremationsHuman cremations at standalone facilities

Companies

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

COLUMBARIUMCREMATION URNSTRADITIONAL FUNERAL SERVICE

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 81222 - Cremation Services in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Pet funeral arrangements are on the rise, with most owners choosing cremation. This trend reflects how deeply pets are integrated into family life.

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Green cremations are revitalizing cremation trends. Known as eco-friendly cremations, these methods minimize environmental impact and are becoming increasingly popular.

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Demographic and cultural factors can outweigh population density in determining crematoria locations. Areas with a high proportion of elderly populations or cultures that opp...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Rising technology costs could spur industry consolidation. Larger funeral homes may expand their cremation services to offset lost revenue from the shift to low-cost options,...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

The increasing trend for cremation sets the stage for dominance. With Service Corporation International the only company expected to control a significant share of industry r...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

    Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

    Analyst insights

    Revenue in cremation services is dictated by the number of deaths and changing preferences. Catastrophic events like the pandemic sharply increase the death rate, influencing...

    In this chapter

    • External Drivers
    • Regulation & Policy
    • Assistance

    Key metrics

    • Regulation & policy level and trend
    • Assistance level and trend

    Charts

    • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
    • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

    Detailed analysis

    • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
    • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
    • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

    Financial Benchmarks

    View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

    Analyst insights

    Price is a key factor influencing demand. Consumers are turning to cremation more often because traditional funeral services, especially caskets, come with high costs.

    In this chapter

    • Cost Structure
    • Financial Ratios
    • Key Ratios

    Key metrics

    • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
    • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
    • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
    • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

    Charts

    • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Investment vs. share of economy

    Data tables

    • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
    • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
    • Income Statement (2017-2022)
    • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
    • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
    • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Average Wage (2014-2029)
    • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
    • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

    Detailed analysis

    • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

    Key Statistics

    Industry Data

    Data Tables

    Including values and annual change:

    • Revenue (2014-2029)
    • IVA (2014-2029)
    • Establishments (2014-2029)
    • Enterprises (2014-2029)
    • Employment (2014-2029)
    • Exports (2014-2029)
    • Imports (2014-2029)
    • Wages (2014-2029)

    Top Questions Answered

    Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

    What is the market size of the Cremation Services in the US industry in United States in 2024?

    The market size of the Cremation Services in the US industry in United States is $3.3bn in 2024.

    How many businesses are there in the Cremation Services in the US industry in 2024?

    There are 10,910 businesses in the Cremation Services in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 4.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

    Has the Cremation Services in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the Cremation Services in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 4.9 % between 2019 and 2024.

    What is the forecast growth of the Cremation Services in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the Cremation Services in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

    What does the Cremation Services in the US in United States include?

    Human cremations at funeral homes and Resale of merchandise are part of the Cremation Services in the US industry.

    How competitive is the Cremation Services in the US industry in United States?

    The level of competition is high and steady in the Cremation Services in the US industry in United States.

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    Methodology

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    Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

    IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

    What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

    Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

    Key data sources in the US include: 

    • US Census Bureau
    • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
    • US International Trade Commission

    Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

    These sources include:

    • Industry and trade associations
    • Industry federations or regulators
    • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

    Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

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    IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

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