Talk To Us

For funeral service information, statistics, story ideas, or to be connected with a funeral professional who can speak on the record, contact NFDA’s director of public relations:

Jessica Koth, Director of Public Relations
jkoth@nfda.org or 262-814-1536

NFDA also maintains a spokesperson team, a group of practicing funeral directors who are available to provide expert commentary to reporters on funeral service topics. If your story calls for a voice from the field, we can connect you.

The Numbers Requested Most

All data is drawn from the latest available government, industry, and NFDA research reports. Data on this page was last updated September 29, 2025.

63.4% The projected 2025 cremation rate, according to NFDA’s 2025 Cremation & Burial Report. The burial rate is projected at 31.6%. By 2045, cremation is expected to reach 82.3%.

$8,300 / $6,280 The national median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial was $8,300 in 2023. The median cost of a funeral with cremation was $6,280.

61.4% The share of consumers who said they would be interested in exploring green funeral options, according to NFDA’s 2025 Consumer Awareness and Preferences Report — up from 55.7% in 2021.

58.3% The share of respondents who have attended a funeral at a non-traditional location, per the same 2025 report.

15,401 The number of funeral homes operating in the United States. Approximately 75% are family- or privately owned. Funeral homes employ 105,300 people and generate $16.3 billion in revenue. Crematories and cemeteries generate an additional $4.274 billion.

20,000 NFDA members — representing nearly 11,000 funeral homes in 49 countries.

Background For Your Story

Most people don’t encounter a funeral home until they need one. If you’re covering funeral service for the first time, or want solid background for context, these resources can help.

When covering funeral service, a few terminology notes are worth keeping:

Use cremated remains, not “ashes” or “remains.” Cremated remains are pulverized bone fragments — not ash. 

Use died by suicide, not “committed suicide.” The word “committed” implies a criminal act. 

Use casket for a four-sided burial container. A coffin has six sides — the two are not interchangeable. 

Use died, not “passed away” or “we lost.” Plain language reduces confusion, especially when covering grief and children.

What is a Funeral Director?

Funeral directors are licensed professionals who care for the deceased and support grieving families during one of life’s most difficult moments. Many describe the work as a calling. They manage the legal, logistical, and personal dimensions of death — often across multiple days and in close collaboration with families — while also serving as a consistent presence in their communities.