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NFDA’s Annual Cremation & Burial Report Projects Cremation Rate to Rise to 82.3% by 2045
Americans are choosing cremation more than ever before, setting a new milestone in funeral service trends for 2025. According to the National Funeral Directors Association’s 2025 Cremation & Burial Report, the U.S. cremation rate will reach 63.4% this year, more than double the projected burial rate of 31.6%. These shifting preferences reflect lasting changes in family priorities, funeral profession practices, and cultural attitudes, according to a news release issued by the NFDA.
Key 2025 Report Highlights
“As more families choose cremation and other emerging options, the heart of funeral service remains the same: helping people honor lives with dignity and meaning,” said NFDA President Christopher P. Robinson.
- U.S. cremation rate: 63.4% (2025); projected to rise to 82.3% by 2045
- Cremation will outpace burials by more than six to one by 2045—a ratio never before seen in the U.S. deathcare industry.
- U.S. burial rate: 31.6% (2025); expected to decline to 13.0% by 2045
- Employment growth: Just 4% (2023–2033); personnel shortages remain the top business challenge
- Funeral profession revenue: Projected to grow at an annualized rate of 2.3%, reaching $20.6 billion by 2029
- Livestreaming and Virtual Services: Just over half of NFDA-member funeral homes now offer livestreaming options for services, and an additional 13.9% plan to add livestreaming in the near future; 47% of U.S. funeral homes offer their own virtual funerals, reflecting the growing demand for digital participation in memorials.
- Online and Green Arrangements: 36.3% of NFDA-member firms offer the option to make cremation arrangements online, with an additional 25% planning to add this option soon; 61.4% of consumers express interest in exploring “green” funeral options, demonstrating shifting consumer preferences toward more sustainable practices.
- Changing Religious Landscape: The portion of Americans identifying as Christian dropped from 78% to 60% between 2007 and 2023, while religiously unaffiliated adults grew from 16% to 28%—a key driver behind the falling preference for traditional funerals and the rise of cremation.
Driving the Shift
Families increasingly favor cremation for its affordability, environmental benefits, fewer religious barriers, and the desire for simpler ceremonies. As more Americans identify as non-religious (28% in 2023, up from 16% in 2007), traditional funerals are steadily declining. Funeral profession experts also note that life’s realities—like the rising cost of living and more geographically dispersed families—impact end-of-life choices.
Post-Pandemic Trends
After a surge in deaths during the pandemic, U.S. death rates have stabilized, now following demographic patterns linked to an aging population. Deaths are projected to climb 26% over the next two decades, reaching approximately 3.91 million annually by 2045.
Regional and Technology Insights
By 2035, NFDA projects the percentage of families who will choose to lay a loved one to rest through cremation will exceed 50% in every U.S. state and D.C. Today, only three states are expected to maintain majority-burial rates. The profession is also rapidly embracing digital capabilities, with online arrangements and streaming services meeting the evolving expectations of consumers. NFDA also offers free planning and grief support tools for families through its Remembering A Life initiative, available at RememberingALife.com.
About the 2025 NFDA Cremation & Burial Report
Projections compiled by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Applied Population Laboratory using data from state vital-statistics departments and NFDA consumer studies. For methodology details, contact NFDA at 800-228-6332.
Shaquille O’Neal Helps Cover Funeral Costs for Four Sisters Killed in North Carolina House Fire
Four young sisters who tragically died in a house fire in Chadbourn late last month are being remembered by their community — and receiving support from unexpected places.
According to WECT, former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal has joined forces with law enforcement agencies from Georgia and Florida to help cover funeral and related expenses for the girls, who were 2, 4, 6, and 7 years old. All four were sisters.
Their father, Patrick Ellis, said his heart was “shattered beyond words” in a statement released days after the Aug. 30, 2025, fire. “Kalani, Kendall, Josie, and Sophia were my joy, my light, and my purpose,” Ellis said.
Court records show the children’s mother, Reagan Noelle Powers, was charged on Sept. 10, 2025, with four counts each of involuntary manslaughter and negligent child abuse causing serious injury. Authorities say she was not home at the time, leaving the children in the care of an 11-year-old.
In a statement to WECT, O’Neal said, “As a father, my heart is broken for the Ellis family… What I can offer is love, support, and a promise that their lives will not be forgotten.”
Bob Ekins Joins Newcomer Funeral Service Group as VP of Field Operations
Bob Ekins, a longtime executive at Johnson Consulting Group, has made a big move — joining Newcomer Funeral Service Group as vice president of field operations.
In an announcement on LinkedIn, the company stated that he’d be working closely with Newcomer-owned firms across the country and will report to the firm’s chief operating officer, Perry Hasselbeck.
“Bob brings with him nearly 30 years of experience in the funeral and cemetery profession, along with a strong record of leadership, innovation, and service. After earning his degree in Business Management from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, Bob began his career with Batesville Casket Company in 1996,” the post states. “He went on to hold leadership roles with Forethought Financial Services (now Global Atlantic), where he guided funeral home and cemetery owners in trust and pre-need solutions, and Trust 100, a leader in advance funeral planning. Most recently, Bob served at Johnson Consulting Group, one of the largest brokerage and business consulting firms in the industry, advancing to the role of Chief Revenue Officer.”
Colorado Funeral Home Owner to Face Trial After Judge Rejects Plea Deal
A Colorado funeral home operator who admitted to mishandling 191 bodies has withdrawn his guilty plea and will now face trial, after a judge took the unusual step of rejecting a plea agreement, according to an article by The Associated Press.
Relatives of the deceased, whose remains were discovered decaying and stacked inside a building in Penrose, argued the proposed 20-year state prison sentence was too lenient.
According to prosecutors, Jon Hallford and his wife Carie Hallford operated a fraudulent scheme through their Return to Nature Funeral Home for years, living extravagantly while deceiving families. Instead of carrying out cremations as promised, they allegedly hid the bodies and returned dry concrete to families as fake cremated remains.
Jon Hallford has already received a 20-year federal prison sentence in a separate fraud case.
State District Judge Eric Bentley said rejecting the plea agreement was an extraordinary move—something he had not done in nine years on the bench. Under the proposed deal, Hallford’s state sentence would have run at the same time as his federal one, potentially allowing an earlier release. A jury trial is scheduled to begin on February 9 and could last a month or more.
Abuse of a corpse is classified as the least severe type of felony in Colorado, carrying a penalty ranging from probation to up to 18 months per count.
Carie Hallford has pleaded guilty to similar charges and is awaiting sentencing.
Connecticut Funeral Director Faces New Fraud Charges
A Connecticut funeral director already facing accusations of misusing prepaid funeral funds is now dealing with additional charges in East Windsor, according to a WFSB report.
Police confirmed that Philip Pietras was taken into custody on Sept. 17 in connection with eight new fraud cases tied to the former Bassinger and Dowd Funeral Home on Gardner Street. The location is now operating under new ownership as East Windsor Community Funeral Home.
With these new cases, Pietras is charged with 14 counts of larceny and seven counts of intent to defraud, involving allegations that stretch back to 2015. Investigators say he accepted payments for future funeral services but used the money for gambling and travel instead of setting the funds aside. Authorities noted that as many as ten more cases remain under review.
The same day East Windsor Police arrested him, Coventry Police filed separate charges linked to 19 incidents. Those charges include 22 counts of selling a funeral service contract with intent to defraud, 11 counts of second-degree larceny by embezzlement and one count of second-degree forgery.
This is not the first time Pietras has faced legal trouble. Back in April, State Police charged him in connection with funds taken from eight individuals whose accounts were managed by the Departments of Developmental Services and Social Services. In total, State Police are investigating 20 separate complaints, some of which remain open.
Meanwhile, Vernon Police are examining more than 50 potential cases tied to his funeral home there, though no charges have been filed in that jurisdiction to date.
Legal Fight Over Cremated Remains Mix-Up Could Reach Illinois Supreme Court!
Nearly two years after a class-action lawsuit was filed against Heinz Funeral Home and Family Care Cremation in Carlinville, Illinois the legal dispute continues — and could soon be heard by the state’s highest court, according to a report by WCIA.com.
The lawsuit, originally filed in December 2023, claims that families who entrusted the funeral home with their loved ones’ cremations received incorrect remains. Families reported long delays in receiving cremated remains, which raised suspicion, and later learned the remains they were given might not belong to their relatives.
Jim Allmon, the Sangamon County Coroner, said his office confirmed around 80 families received the wrong cremated remains, though the funeral home had served roughly 800 people — meaning more cases could surface.
Attorneys for Heinz Funeral Home and Family Care Cremation sought to dismiss the case, citing an arbitration clause in the funeral contract that required disputes to be settled outside of court. The Seventh Judicial Circuit Court ruled that the clause was “unconscionable” and unenforceable. However, the Fourth District Appellate Court overturned that ruling.
On Sept. 4, 2025, attorneys for the families petitioned the Illinois Supreme Court to review the appellate court’s decision, arguing that allowing the ruling to stand could set a harmful precedent by enabling unfair arbitration clauses.
If the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case and sides with the plaintiffs, the class-action lawsuit could move forward in court.
Michigan Widow Alleges Funeral Home Kept Husband’s Cremated Remains Almost 30 Years
An 85-year-old Michigan woman is suing a funeral home, claiming her late husband’s cremated remains were kept in storage for almost 30 years without her knowledge, according to a report by WXYZ.
For decades, Daisy Marshall believed she had her husband Charles’s remains in an urn at home. But in 2022, while making her own burial arrangements at Great Lakes National Cemetery, she learned someone had already been interred there under her husband’s identification, with the cremated remains having been delivered in 2018.
She claims she had trusted that she received all her husband’s cremated remains following his 1991 memorial service, handled by Wilson-Akins Funeral Homes. Now, the funeral home is the subject of her lawsuit.
Attorneys representing the funeral home argue that Marshall only requested a portion of her husband’s ashes, with the rest left in their care until she came to collect them. They say those cremated remains sat unclaimed for 27 years.
Marshall insists that version of events is untrue – and although the state has determined the funeral home did not commit violations, Marshall hopes her case prevents other families from going through a similar ordeal.
Carriage Services Announces Acquisition of Osceola Business in Florida
Carriage Services, Inc. recently announced that it has acquired substantially all the assets of Osceola Memory Gardens, Cemetery, Funeral Homes & Crematory; Porta Coeli Funeral Home & Crematory; Fisk Funeral Home & Crematory; Funeraria Borinquen; and Cremation Care Providers of Central Florida (collectively, “Osceola”), consisting of a combination business with a funeral home located on a cemetery, five stand-alone funeral homes, a crematory and central care center, and a cremation focused business, located in the growing Orlando, Florida metro market.
Bob Russell, president of Osceola stated, “For over forty years, I have been proud of our team and their commitment to providing exceptional service to the families of Kissimmee County. When the time arrived for us to create a succession plan, our priority was to find a team that would uphold and build upon the reputation and legacy we have worked so hard to establish over the years. As we got to know the team at Carriage, we quickly knew they would be the right choice based on their commitment and track record of premier service, community support, and taking care of the people who take care of families. We couldn’t be happier or more confident with our decision to partner with Carriage, and we appreciate their support in making this transition as seamless as possible.”
Steve Metzger, president of Carriage Services (pictured at top), stated, “Osceola is a truly unique collection of businesses with an incredible team. We are honored that Bob, Terry, and Mike selected Carriage to support and help lead their businesses, and we look forward to growing with the Osceola team in the years ahead.
The addition of Osceola, which serves thousands of families each year with six funeral homes, a cemetery, a dedicated cremation business, and a care center, strengthens our significant presence in the growing Orlando metro market and aligns with our growth strategy focused on partnering with premier businesses in large growing markets.”
Carlos Quezada, vice chairman and CEO, stated, “We are thrilled to reengage in acquisitions as part of our long-term growth strategy. This milestone marks the first step toward realizing our 2030 Vision and reinforces our commitment to purposeful growth.”
