5 Funeral Trends that are changing death care traditions as we know them

Posted on February 4, 2023 by Cremation Advisor

The funeral industry is experiencing an era of change in the 21^st century. It is probably the most seismic change the death care business has experienced for over two centuries. A once very traditional and stoic industry is being affected by shifts in consumer demand. So, what funeral trends are happening? And how are they affecting funeral homes and funeral consumers?

#1 The demand for affordable cremation

Cremation has soared in popularity in the last ten years and, in the last three years, has moved to become the preferred option for the majority of Americans, with the cremation rate reaching 58% last year and set to reach 80% by 2030, according to Cremation Association of North America (CANA).

Although some families choose cremation with a funeral or memorial service, the demand for direct cremation as a simple, no-fuss, and affordable funeral alternative is making up the core of the cremation business.

Providers in the DFS Memorials Affordable Cremation Network report that up to 80% of cremation cases they handle are now direct cremation cases.

#2 An interest in eco-friendlier funeral alternatives

There appears to be a growing interest (especially in certain states) in eco-friendlier funeral options. Many consider cremation eco-friendlier than a traditional burial, with embalming fluids, concrete, and steel being buried into the earth.

Some families still opt for burial and are considering natural burial, and even traditional cemeteries are adding hybrid green burial sections to cater to this demand.

Visit this Green Burial Directory on US Funerals Online to locate Green Cemeteries near you.

#3 A break away from convention in rituals

Society is changing, and how we approach life rituals is part of that change. There have been changes in our attitudes to how we approach births for some time now, with a greater interest in natural birthing processes. Some families have moved away from a somber funeral ritual to choose a Life Celebration event instead, breaking the convention of a traditional funeral service.

#4 A Preference for more Personalization in Memorialization

Personalization has become quite the ‘buzz’ concept of culture today. We all look for myriad ways to personalize our lives. We personalize our daily lives and possessions to stamp our identity, so why not choose to host a funeral that exemplifies this quality of personalization?

This trend has meant that funeral homes are having to adapt to cater to personalized services. And even accept that families may now opt NOT to use their chapel or funeral home for a memorial service but prefer to host their own memorial tribute service at a different venue.

Check out our Guide to Memorialization and Cremation Tribute Ideas.

#5 A return to the 19^th century concept of family-led funerals

Back in the day, an undertaker was largely just responsible for making a coffin and burying the deceased. The family would prepare their loved ones and lay them to rest in the parlor, holding a vigil at home to mourn their departed family member.

Eventually, the business of undertaking extended to funeral parlors and, today, funeral homes and funeral directors.

However, there is a trend affecting the funeral industry today, where more families are wishing to conduct a ‘DIY’ funeral for their loved one instead of just using a funeral home to conduct everything.

There are 10 states that DO require a family to employ a funeral director to conduct funeral services and handle a deceased’s body.

But that still leaves 40 states where a family can, if they so choose, opt to handle the funeral services themselves. Several organizations nationwide support families who wish to conduct a family-led funeral.

These 5 trends are changing an industry that has been very traditional for many decades. Some businesses recognize these changes and adapt to meet the demand. But for some in the industry, these trends are presenting them with challenges.

Cremation Costs in 2023: How cremation is disrupting the Funeral Industry

Posted on January 1, 2023 by Sara Marsden

How much should you expect to pay for a cremation service in 2023?

Some of the most frequent questions we are asked these days are about cremation prices. Now cremation has become mainstream, and more Americans are considering cremation. The Internet has also disrupted a service industry that once relied upon ‘traditional’ families, who would not even ask about funeral prices.

Five years ago, it was extremely rare to see a funeral home website disclose any cremation prices, now, there is not only a growing number displaying cremation packages and prices online, but we also have funeral homes Google advertising price-competitively.

So, what should you expect to pay for a cremation service in 2023? Are cremation prices going to go down as more funeral homes install crematories? A simple cremation service costs between $750 and $3,000 today. The disparity in this price range is largely due to which cremation service provider you select. All funeral homes have a basic cremation [direct cremation] on their General Price List (GPL). The price differs by the provider, often based on their overhead and profit margins.

Most of the states where the cremation rate is higher have funeral service providers offering lower-cost cremation services. The table below gives some examples of median direct cremation costs in January 2023 in a selection of states and cities.

Click on the city link to call the DFS Memorials provider.

State	City	Direct Cremation Cost – DFS
California	Los Angeles	$750
	San Francisco	$1,195
	Sacramento	$1,195
Washington	Seattle/Tacoma	$1,195
Arizona	Phoenix	$795
	Tucson	$811
Florida	Miami	$795
	SWFL	$1,095
	Orlando	$1,095
Texas	Austin	$795
	San Antonio	$795
	Houston	$640
	Dallas/Fort Worth	$795
New York	New York City	$395
Illinois	Chicago	$1,165
Pennsylvania	Pittsburgh	$695
Ohio	Columbus	$599
Indiana	Indianapolis	$750

As you can see, some of the most populated cities have the lowest cremation prices. Prices tend to increase in rural areas, where the cremation rate is lower than the national average. Find your nearest DFS Memorials provider to locate cremation costs.

What is the most popular cremation service?

The cremation rate nationally reached almost 60% last year and is forecast to grow to nearly 80% by 2040. What is not disclosed is what percent of cremation families select full-service cremation services or just a simple cremation. There has been a steady growth of interest in “just cremation” services, or what the industry refers to as a ‘direct cremation’.

Projected cremation and burial rates A direct cremation is a basic cremation without any funeral ceremony performed by the funeral home. The deceased is collected and cremated, and the cremated remains are returned directly to the family. This is also the most economical disposition option available. It is what families are asking for when they say, “I just want a simple cremation…no fuss.”

From our survey with our DFS Memorials network of cremation providers, it is reported that 80% of cremations conducted were direct cremations in 2022. Time magazine reported on how ‘Cremation Is Now Outpacing Traditional Burial’ with a case study from a funeral home in Boise, Idaho. Robert Boetticher, Jr., of Cloverdale Funeral Home, shared how cremation was barely mentioned in mortuary school in the 1980s, and now the cases at his funeral home in Boise are 60% cremation cases.

According to Barbara Kemmis, CANA’s executive director, “Cremation has become the new tradition. It’s a seismic shift in the profession.”

So, although the funeral profession does not want to embrace it, it seems that direct cremation services are the popular cremation choice for families today.

How is the cremation trend impacting cremation costs in 2023?

I have been observing the cremation trend and national changes in cremation prices for the last few years. I would propose we are witnessing an impact on cremation pricing driven by the demand for low-cost direct cremation.

Cremation ‘price wars’ have been instigated in some areas. With the decline in expensive traditional burials and the growth of simple cremation services, funeral homes’ profit margins are significantly down. This has resulted in closures, acquisitions, extended service area coverage, and competition in pricing.

Are you happy to make cremation arrangements online?

In order to be able to offer cremation at the most affordable price, some funeral homes have set up a separate cremation business, where they seek to increase volume while reducing overhead. Some of these cremation businesses offer an ‘online arrangement’ cremation price, enabling the consumer to complete all the information and payment online. This saves manpower for the cremation company.

Many of these online portals offer a 4-step process:

Arrange online
Collection of the deceased
Registering the death & conducting the cremation
Returning the cremated remains – by mail or in person.

Cremation costs and The Economy in 2023

There have been numerous reports and surveys on the rising cremation trend over the last 10 years. The majority of these reports conclusively summarize that price has been the driving factor in the shift towards the more affordable alternative of cremation. One could say that the funeral industry has brought this on itself with its practice of gauging families with high funeral prices. Since the economic downturn of 2008, we have seen slow but steady growth in the cremation rate.

CNBC reported in July last year that ‘Many Americans who can’t afford a $400 emergency blame debt’, quoting that 40% of Americans would struggle to raise $400 for an unexpected bill. Sadly, we are on the brink of what I believe could be an era of funeral poverty. Counties are struggling with their budgets for indigent funeral requests as a growing number of low-income families find themselves faced with unexpected funeral expenses. More counties are allocating their indigent burial budgets to direct cremation instead of burial services to cut costs.

Clearly, there is an intrinsic link between the state of the economy, the rise in the cremation rate, and cremation costs.

Memorialization after cremation

There are two fundamental elements to the death care process: disposition of the body and memorialization. For decades these two elements have been held solely in the domain of the funeral home. However, cremation has allowed us to separate these two elements.

The disposition of the deceased can be handled clinically by the funeral director. Cremation has enabled this to be handled in a timely manner while removing the need to rush to arrange funeral services. A memorial service can be held after the cremation; therefore, there is no rush to arrange a ceremony immediately. This has disempowered funeral homes that often felt we needed their memorialization services to grieve.

The rise of Personalization and Cremation

‘Personalization’ has become the new industry buzzword in recent years related, especially in cremation services. Once the cremation is performed, and the family has the cremated remains, there are many options for creating a personalized memorial. Families embrace the flexibility this offers them and how much money they can save by personally choosing how to commemorate a loved one.

Simple Cremation and baby boomers

There is a lot of talk about how the baby boomers will impact the deathcare industry over the next 10-20 years. They have re-invented life’s rituals and customs through each era of their lives, and now as they embark on the final journey, it is expected they will lead a re-invention of their final passage. From surveys conducted with baby boomers, there is definitely an interest in a simple cremation and a growing interest in greener funeral options.

So, another year of flux for the funeral industry. It seems, on a whole, they have finally accepted that cremation is not a passing trend but is here to stay. However, as more funeral businesses try to stay profitable with the expected lower cost of cremation services, I am sure there are more changes on the horizon.

1. Deathcare Services – Statistics & Facts. https://www.statista.com/topics/4731/death-care-services-in-the-us/ Published by E. Mazareanu, Jul 10, 2019

2. The United States Death Care Market Report 2018-2023: Market is Estimated to Reach Revenues of Around $68 Billion

In 2019 there were 19,177 funeral homes in the U.S. The Provision of funeral homes and cemetery services generated combined revenue of $21 billion USD in 2019. The main corporate funeral entities have the following shares of the market: SCI 1.9 billion, StoneMor Partners 261.94 million, and Carriage Services. 210.7 million.

How is cremation changing the funeral industry in 2022?

Posted on October 14, 2022 by Sara Marsden

The U.S. cremation rate is now at around 57.7%. Forecasts are for the rate to reach 80% within 20 years. So, how is the cremation trend changing the funeral industry in 2022? Are cremation prices increasing, although with gas prices? Will the cremation rate continue its upward trend? Or will consumers shift to greener alternatives in a bid to address concerns about climate change?

Some say that the funeral industry faces some grave challenges.

Let’s first look at how this cremation trend is affecting the cemetery industry.

Most certainly, cemeteries are facing a huge challenge. In recent years, some cemeteries have added cremation niche mausoleums and ash scattering gardens. Now there are reports of cemeteries in some locales merging. This is an attempt to better prepare for a future with a very low burial rate and reconcile overhead costs.

U.S. cemetery Cemeteries are not as popular as they once were. With Americans’ attitudes changing, more migration happening, and less religious and nuclear family values, cemeteries are becoming green spaces with little foot traffic. Progressive cemeteries have added green burial sections and realigned their purpose in their community by holding community recreational events.

As the cremation rate continues to climb, cemeteries will be further challenged to stay operational. Families save thousands of dollars opting for cremation instead of burial, but these same families are then less likely to spend hundreds of dollars interring cremated remains. Cremation niches, scattering or interring ashes all cost if you use a cemetery.

Fees start at around $300 for a basic scattering or natural burial of cremated remains. Although most cemeteries are likely to charge a minimum of $500 to inter cremated remains.

And, now, what changes have we observed in funeral homes?

I think there are several distinct changes that we can see. Firstly, the revenue potential for funeral homes has decreased markedly. The average cost of a traditional funeral is $7,848 (NFDA 2021) without any cemetery costs. If a family now opts for a cremation service, that price is likely to drop to around $3,600. So, it is easy to see that funeral home revenue must decrease as families shift from traditional burial to cremation.

Secondly, more small independent funeral homes are installing cremation equipment. Presently, 30% of funeral homes own and operate their own crematory, with a further 10% planning on installing equipment in the next 12 months. The current growth trend in cremation may indicate it is a sound business strategy to install cremation equipment on-site. However, this equipment can be costly for a small business. If a funeral home cannot increase its volume of cases and now has increased its overhead, it could be in serious trouble in the coming months or years.

Other changes we are seeing are related to changes in legislation and training. Many states require funeral homes to have an embalming room to be licensed. Some years ago, this was challenged in Minnesota by Crescent Tide Funeral & Cremation Services. The small funeral business challenged the requirement for an embalming room when all they were offering was cremation services. They won their case.

Other states are beginning to revisit funeral legislation, especially where it is holding small funeral businesses back. More training is being implemented for cremation technicians who do not have to hold a funeral director’s license. In Florida, the law permits a business to open as a ‘Direct Disposer’ only.

More funeral homes already have, and continue to, open separate cremation companies to cater specifically to the demand for cremation. And many funeral homes have sought to extend their normal service area in an attempt to generate an increase in cremation cases and hence increase their revenue. This, of course, has implications for those small funeral homes that are not competing in the cremation market.

How can all funeral homes remain in business when over half of Americans’ are opting for a cremation? And furthermore, figures indicate that around 80% of those cremation services are low-cost direct cremation. In most cities now, a direct cremation can be arranged for around $900.

How is the death care sector changing overall to adapt to cremation?

Cremation market A few big changes are beginning to occur. Most notably, I have observed an increase in acquisition by larger funeral groups.

This is not only corporate acquisition on a large scale but a number of private regional and even private family groups extending their reach into new markets.

The Internet has changed the marketing of funeral services more than any other medium in the last century. Marketing funerals has always been complex. Selling a service that no one really wants to purchase!

Now funeral companies are using Google Ads to position themselves in a way never before possible. With a greater capacity to reach into areas and markets with greater ease and investment. Aside from the increase in funeral homes now having websites and entertaining social media, a growing number are offering online arrangement portals. Allowing families to conduct cremation arrangements without ever visiting the funeral home.

The future journey ahead for the funeral industry.

Future of the funeral industry Here are my predictions for some further changes we are likely to see in the next 10 years. We will see a reduction in the number of funeral homes in the U.S. The number has decreased by at least 2,500 over the last 10 years. But many more small-town funeral homes will not be able to compete in the changing death care landscape.

A Potential Growth in more Eco-friendly Disposition Alternatives

I believe there is a probability that we will see another shift in the landscape. There is a growing concern about the environment and an interest in natural death care alternatives. Cremation (albeit more eco-friendly than traditional burial) still creates the same emissions as a 500-mile car journey.

There has been a simmering interest in greener death technologies and alternatives. And, the attention given to Climate Change from 2021 onwards will likely impact our death care choices. Our final journey is one that we can choose to be as kind to the environment as possible.

Green Funerals and Natural Burial have been around for some time, but recent surveys have indicated that 52% of Americans would consider a green funeral. A green burial is still cheaper than a traditional burial but more expensive than a simple cremation.

Alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation) and human composting are new initiatives that are causing disruption. If gas costs, cremation permit fees, and emission charges rise, the cost of cremation may escalate to a point that the public will revert to a new alternative that offers affordability and simplicity.

Water cremation (in the 20 states where it is legal) can be conducted for between $1,295 and $2,500, making it an environmentally friendlier cremation alternative. If gas prices, and other costs, drive up the price of flame cremation, water cremation may become as affordable and certainly have a much lower carbon footprint.

As we approach the end of 2022, we are also witnessing a growing concern about the economy, especially rising energy and gas prices affecting everyone. From the start of this year, we have observed that many cremation providers are increasing their cremation costs to account for rising gas prices. Within our network, 40% of providers have increased their direct cremation base price by $50 to $150.

If cremation costs continue to rise, and other greener alternatives come to the market at a more affordable cost, will we see a shift away from cremation being the preferred choice for the majority of families?

Human Composting (Natural Organic Reduction) has now been legalized in 4 states and offers an eco option.

It will certainly be interesting to observe what further changes and challenges 2023 brings for the funeral industry.

The Funeral Industry, death-care practices, and cremation in the face of Corona Virus.

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Cremation Advisor

As we all face extended periods of ‘Shelter in Place’, the impact is rippling through our communities, social culture, and rituals. We have already heard the reports from Italy of hospitals, morgues and funeral homes struggling to cope with the deceased in the wake of their epidemic. Here in the US, where the pandemic is now spiraling fast, we hear reports from the funeral industry of the rapid response to change that they are now coping with.

The Funeral Industry

On average there are 7,800 deaths a day in the US. This number is likely to rise with the increase in deaths from COVID-19. The estimate ranges from tens of thousands to 2 million in a ‘worst-case’ scenario. 55% of families opt for a cremation service and 40% choose burial. Whether burial or cremation, many funeral services involve a gathering of people. Now that the gathering of people is being restricted (in some states mandated), funeral homes are contending with informing families that holding a funeral service is not possible, or very restricted.

How are Death-care Practices changing in response?

The shift to Virtual Funerals & Live-streaming of funeral services.

The immediate, and most significant, response is that funeral homes are ramping up the availability of offering a ‘Virtual Funeral’. A virtual funeral can involve only the funeral service professionals delivering services and streaming those to the family. Or, allowing just the immediate family to attend and live-stream a service to extended family and friends. Those funeral homes that may not have already subscribed to professional live-streaming funeral technology, are simply putting an iPhone on a tripod and broadcasting on Facebook Live.

Restrictions on Funeral Homes as open Community Spaces.

A number of funeral homes are changing the daily operations of how they function. Additional precautions are being taken in the collection of bodies. And stringent sanitizing processes have been put in place each time a member of the public enters a funeral establishment. Many funeral homes have closed their doors to the community as ‘walk-in’ locations. Families are still welcome to visit to make arrangements, but by-appointment-only, so that better sanitizing can be implemented between visitations.

Guidelines are being issued and reviewed daily on improving services for collecting bodies and offering funeral services. A face-mask has to be put on a body at the collection, and additional sanitizing processes accompany funeral personnel working on continuing to offer this vital service to our communities.

How cremation may be the preferred viable disposition option

We are likely to witness an increase in cremation services & online arrangement processes. Cremation was already a growing disposition trend in the U.S., but in some metro areas, cremation may become the only viable option in the coming weeks. More importantly, direct cremation services are likely to provide the best alternative for many families. A direct cremation is conducted without any services from the funeral home and can be arranged without the need for the family to visit the funeral home. Families can gather together to hold a memorial service at a later date when social distancing restrictions are reduced.

An important consideration of the significance of direct cremation is that not only does it limit social contact at this point, but it also offers families an affordable alternative. Many families have already been laid-off work and are worried about their finances. A direct cremation can be conducted in most cities for between $700 to $1,000. The DFS Memorials network of direct cremation providers can help you manage an affordable direct cremation service.

Funeral Homes may have to adapt their storage facilities to hold cremated remains.

The U.K. has already instructed its municipal crematories to hold cremated remains for families until this COVID-19 crisis has passed. I anticipate that many funeral homes in the U.S. will need to be prepared to hold more remains and offer the storage of remains for families. This may be more challenging for funeral locations in highly-populated cities experiencing an increased rate of death calls.

In Italy and Spain, the military has stepped up to assist the funeral industry as morgues become overcrowded. Support has been required with transportation to crematories and additional morgue facilities.

County, State & Federal responses and adaptations – law changes & emergency measures

It is likely that some existing funeral legislation may have to be adapted in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic. The funeral industry has strict licensing laws that can vary by state. For example, in New York, only a licensed funeral director can collect the deceased from the place of death. This may become unrealistic in the coming weeks, and this law may need to be revised, even if only as a temporary emergency measure.

Funeral shipping and repatriation under travel restrictions

As a nation with a strong immigrant heritage, repatriating citizens back to a country of origin has been a staple part of the funeral industry. However, recent travel restrictions have put limitations on funeral shipping at present. Families are now faced with two options – arrange for storage of the deceased until such time as travel restrictions are lifted, or to arrange a cremation in the US and ship the cremated remains at a later date.

If you have any questions or concerns about arranging a funeral, reach out to your nearest DFS Memorials provider, or contact us at care@dfsmemorials.com for help.

Cremation rate rises faster than forecast!

Posted on July 17, 2018 by Cremation Advisor

The annual National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Cremation & Burial report has been released, and the data forecasts that the cremation rate is rising faster than originally predicted.

The cremation rate was originally predicted to reach 75% by 2035, now it appears the cremation rate is more likely to reach 80% by 2035. This forecast has implications for the funeral business as a whole, when within the last 10 years, the cremation rate has risen exponentially affecting a funeral home’s gross annual revenue.

Cremation rates in the US between 1960-2035

Credit: Statista.com

Why is the cremation rate rising so fast?

The rise in cremation is largely being driven by consumer demand for more affordable, flexible and simple funeral alternatives. This new market of baby boomers, families living paycheck to paycheck, and consumers moving away from conventional rituals is leading a shift towards cremation services.

Cremation is more affordable. The average cremation service is likely to be half to a third of the cost of a burial service. A casket is not required, especially if a cremation memorial or direct cremation is performed.

Some funeral homes are even offering rental caskets now for the purpose of conducting a cremation funeral. This can save $500 – $1,500 on funeral costs alone.

There is no immediate need for a cemetery plot or burial vault, both of which can add $2,000+ to the overall cost of conducting a burial service. Embalming is not required for a cremation, so this is another general cost eliminated from the total funeral bill. Embalming can cost anywhere between $500 – $1,000.

So, as you can quickly surmise, cremation can present an immediate saving on funeral costs of approximately $4,000.

Cremation rates across the United States

Although the cremation rate this year is forecast to be around 53%, the cremation rate still varies across the nation. The states with the highest cremation rate (over 70%) are Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. These are now being fast followed by states such as Arizona, California, Florida, and New Mexico.

The cremation rate is lower among the Midwest states and the southern states, although these states that had traditionally had a much lower interest in cremation, are reporting a more significant increase in their cremation rates.

An industry in change: funeral homes adapting to a new market

The funeral industry has long been a very traditional and stoic industry. Some critics would describe it as a slow to respond to change. However, there are funeral companies that are now specifically catering to the growing demand for cremation services.

Service Corporation International (SCI) has reduced its base cremation price in recent months, and begun a marketing campaign aimed at cremation customers. SCI also bought 70% shares in The Neptune Society in 2011, a direct cremation company, operate a very active cremation plan direct marketing campaign, and have increased the number of Neptune Society locations in the last 5 years.

The average independent funeral home has maybe found this market shift to cremation more challenging to respond to. A cremation service has a lower price value. In the case of direct cremation, very minimal input is required by a funeral director, as no ceremony is provided by the funeral home. With no casket, no funeral service, and a simple cremation service….a funeral home is looking at a significant drop in revenues!

Comparing cremation prices

Arrange a cremation online It seems todays’ potential cremation consumer has become savvier, and more concerned, with comparing the costs for cremation. Funeral homes are having to respond to this demand for transparent cremation pricing by openly disclosing cremation prices, either online or over the phone. More funeral homes are choosing to openly offer their general price list (GPL) and cremation package pricing on their websites. California even now legally requires a funeral home to disclose their GPL on their website.

A number of online platforms and websites have emerged aimed at providing cremation cost comparison services over the last few years. However, a consumer must consider the subjectivity of the information provided. Websites like Heritage Cremation and Legacy Cremation advertise a cremation service nationwide between $695 – $1,395, but do not provide a specific price for an area. Other websites have gathered GPL’s from a range of funeral homes in an area, but may not include ALL funeral homes in an area, and require a visitor to search through funeral home after funeral home to compare pricing. Or require a fee for a pricing report, or to submit your personal contact information to obtain a cremation price.

Some funeral home websites provide their own funeral pricing comparison charts for their own market, but may choose to omit any local providers offering a lower price than them.

DFS Memorials aims to help you quickly identify a local, independent cremation provider and provide you with his direct cremation service charge. So, at your time of need, you do not have to become overwhelmed comparing cremation prices. Cremation providers selected for the network all offer a ‘best value’ direct cremation package to their local community.