Burial and cremation trends have shifted sharply over the past decade, with cremation now the majority choice in many countries. Below are the most-cited, recent statistics on cremation vs burial rates, plus cost comparisons and international benchmarks.
burial vs cremation statistics
Key burial vs cremation statistics
U.S. (projected 2025): 63.4% cremation vs 31.6% burial (NFDA).
U.S. (projected 2024): 61.9% cremation vs 33.2% burial (NFDA).
U.S. (reported 2023): 60.63% of deaths resulted in cremation (Cremation Society of Great Britain).
British Islands (reported 2023): 80.79% cremation (Cremation Society of Great Britain).
Japan (reported 2023): 99.97% cremation (Cremation Society of Great Britain).
Canada (reported 2024): 76.7% cremation (CANA); Canada (reported 2023): 75.31% cremation (Cremation Society of Great Britain).
U.S. median funeral cost (2023, with viewing): $8,300 (burial) vs $6,280 (cremation), excluding cemetery/plot costs (NFDA).
U.S. cremation vs burial rate
NFDA’s 2025 report projects cremation at roughly double the burial rate in the U.S. for 2025.
Chart: U.S. disposition rates (projected 2025)
Label
Bar
Value
Cremation (U.S., projected 2025)
63.4%
Burial (U.S., projected 2025)
31.6%
Max = 63.4%. Widths: Cremation 100.00%, Burial 49.84%.
U.S. cremation trend (recent years)
Reported cremation shares (as a percentage of deaths) show steady growth, and NFDA projections continue that direction.
Chart: U.S. cremation rate (reported 2022–2023; projected 2025)
Cremation rates by country (international comparison)
International cremation rates vary widely, often reflecting cultural traditions, religion, and land availability.
Chart: Cremation rate by country (latest available in International Statistics 2023)
Label
Bar
Value
Japan (2023)
99.97%
South Korea (2023)
92.43%
British Islands (2023)
80.79%
Canada (2023)
75.31%
USA (2023)
60.63%
Spain (2022)
44.99%
Greece (2023)
4.61%
Max = 99.97%. Widths: Japan 100.00%, South Korea 92.46%, British Islands 80.81%, Canada 75.33%, USA 60.65%, Spain 45.00%, Greece 4.61%.
Burial vs cremation costs (U.S.)
NFDA’s 2023 price study reports national median costs for funerals with viewing. These medians do not include cemetery costs (plot, opening/closing, grave marker), which can materially increase total burial expenses.
Chart: U.S. median funeral cost (2023, with viewing)
Label
Bar
Value
Burial (median, 2023)
$8,300
Cremation (median, 2023)
$6,280
Max = $8,300. Widths: Burial (median) 100.00%, Cremation (median) 75.66%.
Why cremation often outpaces burial
Cost: Median funeral costs with viewing are lower for cremation than burial in U.S. pricing surveys.
Flexibility: Cremation can simplify logistics for families spread across cities or countries.
Land constraints: High-population-density areas often have stronger long-run cremation adoption.
Religion & culture: Some countries strongly prefer cremation; others heavily prefer burial.
Sources
NFDA (Oct 6, 2025): “NFDA Releases 2025 Cremation & Burial Report: Comprehensive Insights to Guide the Future of Funeral Service” — https://nfda.org/news/media-center/nfda-news-releases/id/9786/nfda-releases-2025-cremation-burial-report-comprehensive-insights-to-guide-the-future-of-funeral-service
NFDA (Jul 25, 2024): “U.S. Cremation Rate is Projected to Climb to 61.9% in 2024” — https://nfda.org/news/media-center/nfda-news-releases/id/8944/us-cremation-rate-is-projected-to-climb-to-619-in-2024
NFDA (Dec 8, 2023): “2023 NFDA General Price List Study Shows Inflation Increasing Faster than the Cost of a Funeral” — https://nfda.org/news/media-center/nfda-news-releases/id/8134/2023-nfda-general-price-list-study-shows-inflation-increasing-faster-than-the-cost-of-a-funeral
Cremation Society of Great Britain: “International Statistics 2023” — https://www.cremation.org.uk/International-cremation-statistics-2023
Cremation Association of North America (CANA): “Industry Statistical Information” — https://www.cremationassociation.org/industrystatistics.html
