Cremation Nation: How North America Is Embracing the Cremation Shift
An inside look at the data, drivers, and direction of the most significant transformation in modern funeral history — from a family-run network that has watched it unfold from both sides of the Atlantic.
The North American funeral industry is in the middle of one of the most dramatic transformations it has ever seen. For the first time in either country’s history, cremation has become the dominant form of disposition across both the United States and Canada — with Canada roughly fifteen years further along the same trajectory. This is the inside look at where cremation rates are highest, which regions still prefer burial, and what is driving the continent-wide shift.
Prepared by Sara Marsden-Ille, with Nicholas Ille May 2026
What the Cremation Stats & Trends Reveal
Understanding where cremation rates are highest across North America, which regions still prefer burial, and what is driving this continent-wide shift is essential for families making end-of-life decisions, funeral professionals adapting their businesses, and anyone interested in the evolving cultural conversation around death.
This guide explores the data from the ground up — state by state and province by province — and digs into the key reasons this transformation has happened so rapidly across both countries.
| Cremation Stats | Source |
|---|---|
| 63.4 % | US national cremation rate in 2025 (CANA) |
| 82.3 % | US cremation rate projected by 2045 |
| 76.7 % | Canada's national cremation rate in 2024 (CANA) |
| 80 % + | Canadian cremation rate projected by 2029 |
Source: CANA 2026
The United States: Crossing the Halfway Mark
The US cremation rate hit 63.4% in 2025 — up from just 26.2% in 2000. The shift has been driven by cost, religious change, mobility, environmental concern, and a generational preference for simplicity and personalization over traditional ceremony.
Cremation now leads burial in every region of the country, though significant regional variation persists. The Pacific Northwest leads at over 80%, while the Deep South still preserves the traditional burial pattern. By 2045, CANA projects the US cremation rate will exceed 82%.
Canada: A Continental Leader
Canada reached 76.7% cremation in 2024, with British Columbia leading the continent at an estimated 87%, and three other provinces already above 80% — Alberta, Quebec, and Ontario.
The Atlantic provinces lag behind for the same reasons the US Deep South does: strong religious tradition and tight-knit rural communities. Canada is roughly 15 years ahead of the US on the cremation adoption curve, driven by higher urban cemetery costs, a more secular population, the unique Quebec funeral cooperative model, and immigration patterns. The Canadian cremation rate is projected to exceed 80% by 2029.
Five structural forces are driving the cremation shift in both countries.
Below we identify the six key drivers ~
Why cremation has grown & become the preferred option
1. Cost
The average direct cremation costs $795–$2,500. The average traditional burial costs $7,000–$12,000. For most families, this difference is decisive.
2. Religious change
A more secular population in both countries — and the Catholic Church’s 1963 reversal on cremation — removed the doctrinal barriers that once shaped funeral choices.
3. Mobility
Modern families are geographically scattered. A cremation urn travels in ways a cemetery plot does not.
4. Environmental concern
Younger generations increasingly view traditional burial — with embalming chemicals, concrete vaults, and metal caskets — as environmentally heavy.
5. Personalization
Cremation gives families the flexibility to memorialize a loved one on their own terms, at their own time, in their own place.
6. Demographics
Boomers, who came of age in a culture that increasingly normalized cremation, are now the dominant decision-makers.
“The landscape of death care is changing. At DFS Memorials, we believe that being a Cremation Nation means putting the power back into the hands of families, ensuring that a dignified farewell is accessible to everyone.”
Navigating the Future of Death Care
As the Cremation Nation continues to grow, DFS Memorials remains dedicated to de-mystifying the process. Whether you are pre-planning for yourself or need immediate assistance for a loved one, our network is designed to provide peace of mind during life’s most difficult moments.
Choosing a provider in the Cremation Nation shouldn’t be a gamble. With DFS Memorials, you are choosing a brand that stands for honesty, simplicity, and the modern American way of remembrance.
Ready to learn more about affordable options near you?
DFS Memorials is here to help you find the best value and the most compassionate care in your local area.
Common FAQs About Cremation
Cremation statistics, trends, & facts uncovered
What is the current cremation rate in the United States?
According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) 2025 Cremation & Burial Report, the U.S. cremation rate was 63.4% in 2025. CANA confirmed a 61.8% cremation rate for 2024. Both figures reflect the continuing steady rise that has seen cremation go from roughly 20% in the early 1990s to a clear national majority today.
IWhich state has the highest cremation rate in the USA?
Nevada consistently holds the top position, with an estimated cremation rate of 82–84%. Washington State, Oregon, Maine, and New Hampshire all follow closely, each with rates above 75–80%.
Which states still prefer burial over cremation?
Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia have the lowest cremation rates and remain burial-majority states. Even in these states, however, cremation is rising faster than in states that already have high cremation rates.
What is Canada's national cremation rate?
Canada’s cremation rate was 76.7% in 2024, projected to reach 80.7% by 2029 (CANA Annual Statistics Report).
Which Canadian province has the highest cremation rate?
British Columbia, at approximately 87% in 2025 (CANA projection). BC has been Canada’s cremation leader for over two decades.
Why is Canada's cremation rate higher than the US?
Canada is roughly 15 years ahead on the cremation adoption curve. Drivers include high urban cemetery costs, a more secular population, the Quebec funeral cooperative model, and immigration from countries with higher cremation preference.
Canada is roughly 15 years ahead on the cremation adoption curve. Drivers include high urban cemetery costs, a more secular population, the Quebec funeral cooperative model, and immigration from countries with higher cremation preference.
Canada is roughly 15 years ahead on the cremation adoption curve. Drivers include high urban cemetery costs, a more secular population, the Quebec funeral cooperative model, and immigration from countries with higher cremation preference.
Canada is roughly 15 years ahead on the cremation adoption curve. Drivers include high urban cemetery costs, a more secular population, the Quebec funeral cooperative model, and immigration from countries with higher cremation preference.
Canada is roughly 15 years ahead on the cremation adoption curve. Drivers include high urban cemetery costs, a more secular population, the Quebec funeral cooperative model, and immigration from countries with higher cremation preference.