Number of cremations in the US - Data and Analysis (1990-2032)

In 2026, the number of cremations is expected to total 1.9 million, reflecting a continued reliance on cremation as a method of handling remains. This figure demonstrates a 1.4% increase from the previous year, signaling a moderation in demand following notable volatility during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of its cost-effectiveness and growing acceptance as an environmentally friendly alternative to burial, the number of cremations has grown. During the five years to 2026, the number of cremations declined at an average annual rate 1.2%. The period was characterized by a post-pandemic normalization, as cremations surged in 2020 because of COVID-related fatalities. Cremation volumes rose slightly to 1.9 million in 2021 before receding in both 2022 and 2023, recording decreases of 3.0% and 3.6%, respectively. By 2024, this downward trajectory had slowed, and the decline measured 1.9%. Variations in cremation rates across states have persisted, with states like Nevada and Washington posting rates above 78%, compared with under 33% in several Southern states. This interstate disparity results primarily from regional religious beliefs and cemetery space constraints.Broader macro trends during this period include demographic changes, such as the aging population, which has historically contributed to growth in total deaths and, correspondingly, cremations. However, the decline in mortality rates after the COVID-19 pandemic has tempered demand. Socioeconomic influences, including shifting family structures and the appeal of lower cost and greater flexibility compared to burial, have underpinned long-term adoption, particularly in urbanized and less religious populations. Pandemic-driven mortality in 2020 represents an outlier rather than an ongoing trend, as subsequent years saw retreating volumes. Overall, over the five years to 2026, the growth momentum established earlier in the period was offset by a reversion toward pre-pandemic norms and a gradual plateau in underlying demographic pressures.