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Cemetery Services in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Lucy Tang Lucy Tang New York, United States Last Updated: December 2024 NAICS 81222

Revenue

$6.4bn

2024

$6.4bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

35,277

Businesses

5,874

Wages

$X.Xbn

Cemetery Services in the US industry analysis

The cemetery industry has experienced various changes in recent years, shaped by the pandemic and evolving consumer preferences. Higher mortality rates caused by COVID-19 have led to rising demand for burial services. This trend has maintained revenue above previous levels, even as other factors have fluctuated. Meanwhile, an emerging preference for cremation highlights a shift in customer behavior as people seek cost-effective end-of-life solutions. Cremation often costs a fraction of traditional burials, making it attractive for families on a budget. Industry leaders have responded by expanding their offerings to include various cremation options, ensuring they cater to this growing market segment. Industry revenue has risen at a CAGR of 3.7% to $6.4 billion over the past five years, including a 0.3% increase in 2024 alone.

Trends and Insights

  • Cremation is gaining the upper hand over traditional burials. Cost-effective and increasingly popular cremation services force cemetery businesses to diversify their offerings to attract budget-conscious families and stay competitive.
  • Cremation services have grown because they are less expensive than burials. Environmental concerns and a growing preference for simple services have also increased demand for cremation services.
  • The distribution of cemeteries and crematories is related to population trends and age structure. Consumer preferences for cremation, as opposed to burials, are another important factor influencing the share of establishments.
  • Industry services depend on consumer preferences. Cremations have become popular for consumers, forcing businesses to offer differentiated products to generate revenue from cremation and traditional cemetery options.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $6.4bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The rising number of deaths benefits the industry

  • The recent spike in the number of deaths has been a primary factor affecting cemetery industry revenue. During the pandemic, deaths climbed sharply, leading to a temporary revenue boost. While the pandemic's effects have lessened, revenue remains above pre-pandemic levels.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Cemetery Services in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Aging population fuels steady growth in burial services

  • Shifts in the demographic landscape will foster consistent revenue enhancement in burial services. With the US population continuously aging, there is a projected rise in demand for both preneed and immediate burial arrangements.

Biggest companies in the Cemetery Services in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Service Corporation International
1,757.9
480.4
27.3

To view the market share and analysis for all 1 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Cemetery Services in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Interment services, Sale of graves, plots and other spaces and Cemetery maintenance services. Interment services is the largest segment of the Cemetery Services in the US.

Trends and Insights

The sale of graves, plots and other spaces is the largest service segment

  • The sale of graves, plots and mausoleum spaces forms the core of cemetery offerings. Funeral homes often facilitate these purchases, though individuals can handle transactions independently. Many cemeteries have columbarium walls for cremation niches.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry includes establishments that operate sites or structures reserved for the interment of human or animal remains. The industry also includes companies that offer cremation services, including managing and maintaining burial sites, graveyards and memorial parks. These services involve the sale of burial plots, grave opening and closing, maintenance of cemetery grounds and ensuring the perpetual care of the facilities.

What's included in this industry?

Cemetery maintenance and upkeepMausoleum operationCrematory operationColumbarium operationMemorial garden supervisionAnimal and pet cemetery management

Companies

Service Corporation International

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Related Terms

AT-NEEDPRENEEDCOLUMBARIUMDIRECT CREMATION

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 81222 - Cemetery Services in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Cremation is gaining the upper hand over traditional burials. Cost-effective and increasingly popular cremation services force cemetery businesses to diversify their offering...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Cremation services have grown because they are less expensive than burials. Environmental concerns and a growing preference for simple services have also increased demand for...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The distribution of cemeteries and crematories is related to population trends and age structure. Consumer preferences for cremation, as opposed to burials, are another impor...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Industry services depend on consumer preferences. Cremations have become popular for consumers, forcing businesses to offer differentiated products to generate revenue from c...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

The industry’s largest company, Service Corporation International, has spread services across North America. The company has also expanded its operations to Canada and Puerto...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Service Corporation International's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Service Corporation International, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

State cooling-off legislation is in place concerning the sale of preneed cemetery contracts. Cooling-off legislation typically requires operators to refund proceeds from cont...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Cremations have gained popularity recently, driving operators to expand customization options for these services. These additional services and customization options have hel...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Cemetery Services in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Cemetery Services in the US industry in United States is $6.4bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Cemetery Services in the US industry in 2024?

There are 5,874 businesses in the Cemetery Services in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.1 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Cemetery Services in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Cemetery Services in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 3.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Cemetery Services in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Cemetery Services in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Cemetery Services in the US market in United States?

The biggest company operating in the Cemetery Services market in United States is Service Corporation International

What does the Cemetery Services in the US in United States include?

Cemetery maintenance and upkeep and Mausoleum operation are part of the Cemetery Services in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Cemetery Services in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Service Corporation International.

How competitive is the Cemetery Services in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Cemetery Services in the US industry in United States.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • There are no industries to display.

Complementors

  • Masonry in the US
  • Trusts & Estates in the US
  • Funeral Homes in the US
  • Religious Organizations in the US

International industries

  • Funeral Directors, Crematoria and Cemeteries in Australia
  • Funeral, Crematorium and Cemetery Services in New Zealand
  • Funeral Activities in the UK

View all industries in United States

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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