CANA Releases 2026 Annual Cremation Statistics Report: Cremation Growth Slows But Remains Steady Nationwide
WHEELING, IL— The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) continues its commitment to providing accurate and comprehensive cremation statistics to the death care industry and consumers. With over 25 years of data collection from state and provincial vital statistics departments, CANA’s cremation statistics are widely regarded as the most reliable and current in the field. The latest reports for 2025 have been released, featuring final 2024 cremation data, newly released 2025 data, and projections to 2030 and 2035.
CANA’s annual statistics report shows that the national cremation rate has continued to increase at a steady and predictable rate for the last 50 years, indicating that neither the recessions nor the pandemic have influenced the growth rate on a national level. After decades of rapid growth in the United States, CANA reports that the pace of the national cremation growth rate is slowing after reaching 62.8% in 2025. This shift signals the move to the deceleration phase—where year-over-year gains are smaller and more variable—is complete. Overall, the consistent decline in annual growth rates confirms that the cremation market is maturing and still growing.
NATIONAL CREMATION RATE DECELERATES, STEADY GROWTH CONTINUES
CANA’s 2026 Annual Statistics Report confirms the association’s long-held observation that the annual cremation growth rate is slowing in the United States. The average rate of growth in the last five years dropped to 1.33% from 1.58% in the prior five-year period. Once the rate reaches 80%, CANA predicts that the growth rate will largely plateau. The national cremation rate in Canada, surpassing 77.4% in 2025 with an average growth rate is less than 1% each year, demonstrates the growth behavior that the US can expect in 15 years.
Individual states, however, will see varied growth depending on their position in the predicted growth stages. Where cremation rates are below 60%, the cremation rate remains in rapid growth and will grow at a faster rate than the national average. Those states that have reached or are approaching the 80% plateau phase are now experiencing minimal annual growth, with only slight fluctuations from year to year. Businesses in these states and regions will need to plan accordingly.
“Data serves as the lifeblood of modern business, offering invaluable insights that drive informed decision-making. CANA’s Annual Statistics Report provides our industry with crucial data, guiding strategic planning for years to come,” said Dirk Bearden, Chair of CANA’s Magazine and Research Advisory Group and Senior Managing Director of Personal Care Centers and Crematory Operations for Service Corporation International (SCI). “Historically, the funeral industry has been slow to adopt comprehensive strategies for identifying trends and preparing for future needs. I personally leverage data daily to ensure my organization effectively meets both customer and associate needs. While data does not replace the knowledge gained through experience, it does provide support and clarity when evaluating outcomes.”
EMBALMING FACTS AND FIGURES
In addition to cremation data, CANA tracks other forms of disposition and, where available, embalming figures. Data collection from the small number of states and provinces that report embalming figures confirm that, as cremation rates have risen, embalming has declined. However, the data does not prove that the cremation is the cause of this change. Instead, like the growing cremation rate, the profession should consider both consumer preference for gatherings and services and the possible bias against service with cremation families some deathcare professionals may bring to the arrangement room. More information on this research can be found on CANA’s website.
ABOUT CANA RESEARCH
The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) publishes the Annual Cremation Statistics Report and other research to illuminate trends in the profession. This research is often used by the media to shape their articles and by CANA’s members to guide their future business plans. Derived from six data models, CANA publishes projections with accuracy, leaning conservative, to deliver reliable information to the leaders of the profession.
In addition to the Annual Statistics Report, CANA will be conducting several other research projects to provide insights into cremation arrangement practices, modern cremation practices, and consumer awareness and preference for traditional and emerging disposition methods. The association remains committed to gathering accurate and comprehensive cremation statistics to serve the needs of the death care industry and consumers.
CANA research is available exclusively for members of the association. For more information on CANA’s statistics, visit www.cremationassociation.org/IndustryStatistics.
CANA Members can read the full report in The Cremationist or log in to www.cremationassociation.org/CremationistMagazine.
