2025 Projections based on past 5 years' average percent change and Cremations to Deaths Projections – 2010 and 2025
State	2005 Cremations	2005 Deaths	%	Projections 2010 %	Projections 2025 %
Alabama *	4,679	48,106	9.73	24.75
Alaska *	1,764	3,058	57.68	63.54
Arizona *	26,603	44,562	59.70	65+
Arkansas *	5,457	27,654	19.73	23.98
California ****	120,883	232,211	52.06	55.88
Colorado *	16,486	29,563	55.77	62.43
Connecticut **	10,240	29,515	34.69	39.66
Delaware **	2,279	7,675	29.69	34.27
District of Columbia **	2,454	5,391	45.53	65+
Florida **	82,004	170,050	48.22	50.47
Georgia **	13,794	65,683	21.00	27.52
Hawaii *	5,961	9,329	63.90	65+
Idaho **	4,910	10,665	46.04	52.42
Illinois *	26,162	102,922	25.42	29.67
Indiana **	11,925	54,874	21.73	47.12
Iowa **	5,908	27,875	21.19	26.65
Kansas **	6,280	24,774	25.35	34.59
Kentucky **	4,880	40,386	12.08	18.41
Louisiana **	6,346	42,012	15.10	21.31
Maine *	6,844	12,806	53.44	62.00
Maryland **	12,662	44,044	28.75	35.46
Massachusetts **	14,448	53,447	27.03	30.29
Michigan **	32,158	86,933	36.99	45.21
Minnesota *	14,38	37,594	38.25	45.50
Mississippi **	2,806	29,257	9.59	14.69
Missouri **	12,746	54,692	23.30	32.05
Montana *	5,050	8,554	59.04	65+
Nebraska **	3,980	14,882	26.74	36.71
Nevada *	12,815	19,692	65+	65+
New Hampshire **	5,187	9,985	51.95	57.45
New Jersey *	12,868	71,955	17.88	30.01
New Mexico *	6,767	14,722	45.97	52.63
New York *	36,841	154,147	23.90	28.13
North Carolina **	16,715	74,693	22.38	29.65
North Dakota *	632	6,143	10.29	11.58
Ohio **	27,414	108,088	25.36	30.91
Oklahoma **	7,257	36,278	20.00	27.73
Oregon **	19,667	31,120	63.20	65+
Pennsylvania **	34,830	128,401	27.13	33.71
Rhode Island ²	3,022	10,177	29.69	NA
South Carolina **	6,386	37,167	17.18	20.21
South Dakota **	1,555	7,042	22.08	31.69
Tennessee ¹	5,998	57,129	10.50	NA
Texas **	35,001	154,994	22.58	30.79
Utah **	2,946	13,356	22.06	27.24
Vermont **	1,886	4,889	38.58	36.17
Virginia **	15,057	57,715	26.09	33.33
Washington **	29,412	45,951	64.01	65+
West Virginia **	4,318	20,649	20.91	65+
Wisconsin **	15,944	46,699	34.14	42.05
Wyoming **	1,863	4,062	45.86	65+
United States	778,025	2,432,000	30.88%	38.15%	51.12%

*Official 2005 preliminary figure from National Vital Statistics, State Health Dept. or similar entity. Fifteen states reported their numbers.

**Estimated using official 00-04 state data and 2004 confirmed death count from National Vital Statistics.

***2005 United States death total from the National Vital Statistics.

**** California cremation total collected from the Association of California Cremationists.

¹ – TN cremations derived from surveying state crematories and 2004 confirmed death count from National Vital Statistics.

² – The state of Rhode Island began collecting cremation figures in 2005.

For more information on cremation statistics visit the Cremation Association of North America at www.cremationassociation.org.

As Cremations Rise, So Do Options on Where to Spend Eternity

By Don Conkey
The Patriot Ledger

September 5, 2008 — As more people select cremation as an after-death option, what of the ashes?  Funeral directors say nothing surprises them anymore when it comes to where and how people (or their relatives) want the remains spread, scattered or deposited.  Ashes have been scattered at sea for millennia; now you can shoot them into space, too.  The Red Sox discourage it, but it has been known to happen: a fan walks to a grandstand railing, drops a handful of dust and dear-old dad gets his wish.

In 2002, 24 percent of deaths in Massachusetts were followed by cremations.  By 2006, that number had reached 31 percent.  There is seemingly no end to the ways remains can be stored or scattered.   Already, there are many, many ways to go.  “Virtually anything: it is really as wide as one’s imagination,” said David Walkinshaw, spokesman for the Weymouth-based Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association, referring to the places and methods that people and their descendants opt for to spread their remains after cremation.  “Nothing is unusual to us anymore. Funeral directors realize that people do pretty much what they want to do.”

Take, for one, the golfer who always found himself stuck in the same sand trap, on the same hole.  “His family said he always laughed when he talked about it, that he said he could not get over it, no matter what,” said Walkinshaw.  “So they went out and spread a little of his ashes there.”  Still, people are more likely to spend their final days in a different type of sand – on beaches – likely motivated by memories of serene, leisurely, happy times.

Members of Red Sox Nation long have been known to have their remains dispersed at Fenway Park (even though the club no longer facilitates or encourages the action).  One man’s ashes were splashed at Mick Jagger’s feet during a 2003 Rolling Stones concert in Boston, according to a published report.  Ashes are also commonly dropped out of planes, or spread over oceans, rivers or lakes. (Those spreading human ashes should try to get permission, especially if doing so on private property.)

Regardless of what they choose, the number of people opting for cremation is growing – nationally and in Massachusetts.  According to latest Cremation Association of North America statistics, 31 percent of the deaths in Massachusetts in 2006 resulted in cremations. In 2002, only 24 percent of deaths in the state resulted in cremations.  In all the United States, over the same time period, cremations rose from 28 percent to 34 percent.

Robert Fells, external chief operating officer and general counsel for the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association, said people are increasingly aware of the array of options.  “A lot of baby boomers who have been burying parents usually opt for a traditional service, and coming away from that say, ‘That’s nice for mom and dad, but for me, I want something different,’” said Fells.  More and more, people are making it personal, as to where and how they go out, Fells said.  For example, thematic urns – reflecting the personalities and final wishes of the deceased – are becoming increasingly popular.

Still, with all the flashy “eternal” options out there, some just opt for simple peace and quiet.  “I have had families put cremated remains in a vegetable garden, just because dad loved it,” Walkinshaw said.

Burials at sea, for one, have grown in appeal in recent years.  “It’s amazing how fast it’s grown,” said Brad White of Scituate-based White Cap Charters, whose first burial came in 2006 and is now nearing his 100th trip.  “It’s an event to get a family together for a final sendoff.”

As the number of such oceanic requests have grown, some are choosing biodegradable urns, said Ed Jones, owner of the Downing Funeral Home in Hingham.  “You lower the urn into the water, and it floats for two or three minutes and then sinks,” he said.

Keepsake urns – as small as a salt shaker – allow several family members to honor their loved one, in their own way, added Jones.  The ashes can be spread in various places, perhaps including a cemetery plot relatives can visit.  Such a permanent location can be important to a deceased person’s loved ones, experts say.  “I hear occasionally after folks have scattered ashes (say), ‘We wish we had buried ashes in a cemetery,’ because they know the ashes are there and family members can visit the site,” Jones said.  “People don’t always have closure with scattered ashes.”

Regardless, some people do like to go out with a bang.  Michael Nicodemus, program chairman for cremations operations for the Cremation Association of North America, recalled one man who for years packed fireworks for Indianapolis’ Fourth of July festivities.  And when he died, he was a part of them one last time.  “The final display, the grand finale, was him,” Nicodemus said.