Cremation has been gaining in popularity for a long while. In the United States the rate of cremations to burials evened out in 2016—and cremation became the more popular choice in the years since. With COVID-19 the trend has become more apparent. This is for obvious reasons. First, we have been trending in this direction for some time. Second, the inability for groups to gather during the pandemic made the option of cremation more viable for many people. Holding a funeral is difficult when people can't gather and freely mingle. In 2020, the projected burial rate is roughly 37% and the projected cremation rate is 56%. Continuing this trend, the projected burial rate in 2025 is roughly 31%, while the projected cremation rate is 63%. Currently, the cremation rate is over 70% in ten states.
However, Cremation Association of North America research shows that more people are expected to choose cremation in the future. This is because of changing societal attitudes and the aging Baby Boomer population. The CDC estimate the cremation rate could reach 74% in the next 10 - 20 years.
The reasons people are choosing cremation more readily now are varied. For one, as mentioned, societal views are changing. People are preferring cremation over burial. Second, the pandemic has helped emphasize safety concerns. And finally, at this time a great many people are choosing cremation simply because of the lower costs. 2020 was a difficult year for many financially and emotionally. Price definitely had an impact on the choices many families made.
