Cemetery Statistics, Trends And Facts 2023

Cemeteries are places of rest and remembrance for loved ones who have passed away. They are also significant cultural, historical, and economic institutions, providing a wide range of services to families and communities. The cemetery industry is a complex and dynamic sector, shaped by demographic trends, technological advances, changing consumer preferences, and regulatory policies.

In this article, we will explore key statistics about the cemetery industry, covering topics such as the size and growth of the market, the distribution of cemetery services, the changing nature of funeral and memorial rituals, the use of technology and innovation, and the financial and economic performance of cemetery operators.

Cemetery Statistics

1. In the United States, there are over 20,000 cemeteries and burial grounds, covering over 3 million acres of land.
2. The global cemetery and cremation market size was valued at $31.5 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2021 to 2028.
3. The average cost of a cemetery plot in the US ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on location, grave type, and cemetery.
4. In the US, approximately 2.7 million deaths occur annually, with approximately 50% being cremated and 50% being buried.
5. In 2020, the cremation rate in the US was 56.7%, up from 49.2% in 2010.

Year	Cremation Rate in US
2010	49.2%
2020	56.7%

Cemetery Facts

1. Cemeteries have been in use for thousands of years, with some of the oldest known burial grounds dating back to the Neolithic era.
2. The use of cemeteries for burials was popularized in the Western world by the Romans, who believed in honoring their dead by preserving their memories and providing them with a proper resting place.
3. In many cultures, cemeteries serve as a place of pilgrimage, where friends and family can visit to pay their respects and leave offerings.
4. Some cemeteries have become tourist attractions, such as the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, where the graves of famous individuals such as Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Edith Piaf can be found.
5. Many cemeteries offer pre-planning services, allowing individuals to plan and prepay for their own funerals, or the funerals of loved ones.

Cemetery Benefits

1. Cemeteries serve as a memorial for the deceased, preserving their memory for future generations.
2. They provide a place for friends and family to pay their respects and grieve.
3. Cemeteries often serve as community spaces, offering open green spaces for recreation and reflection.
4. By purchasing a cemetery plot, individuals can lock in the cost of their funeral and protect their loved ones from financial burden.
5. Cemetery landscaping and maintenance can provide jobs and support local economies.

Cemetery Trends

1. The increasing popularity of cremation has led to a decline in traditional burials and a shift towards cremation services.
2. The use of technology, such as online memorials and virtual grave visitations, has become a growing trend in the cemetery industry.
3. The trend towards green and eco-friendly burials, including natural burials and the use of biodegradable caskets, is also on the rise.
4. Community cemeteries, which are owned and operated by local government or non-profit organizations, are becoming more popular as an alternative to commercial cemeteries.

Distribution of Cemetery Services

• The cemetery industry is highly concentrated in terms of ownership, with a few large corporations controlling a significant share of the market.
• The cemetery industry is also highly regulated, with local, state, and federal laws governing the operations and practices of cemetery operators.
• The cemetery industry is characterized by regional differences in terms of consumer preferences, cultural traditions, and economic conditions.
• Cemetery services are provided by a mix of public, private, and nonprofit organizations.
• Public cemeteries are owned and operated by government entities, and typically serve low-income and underserved populations.
• Private cemeteries are owned and operated by for-profit companies, and typically serve middle- and upper-income consumers.
• Nonprofit cemeteries are owned and operated by religious, fraternal, or charitable organizations, and typically serve specific communities or groups.
• The distribution of cemetery services varies by country, with some countries relying more heavily on public or private providers, and others relying more on nonprofit providers.