Chapter 5: Evolving Funeral Practices: Modern Trends 3 CE Hours
By: Taylor Walding Course overview
This course will bring funeral industry professionals up to speed on current trends in the funeral profession, with an emphasis on green funerals, cremation, and burial practices. It examines how the industry has evolved over time and Learning objectives After completing this course, the learner will be able to: Identify the opportunities for memorialization and personalization. Recognize the rising demand for technology in funeral services. Focus on funeral profession changes and trends. Define the primary goals of green burials and requirements for certification. Describe alternatives for a viewing without embalming.
explores which current funeral trends are likely to become tomorrow’s standard practices. The course also delves into the underlying reasons for these shifts in funeral preferences and services. Illustrate the components of a home funeral. Compare and contrast traditional and natural cemeteries. List ways cremations can be made more green. Outline natural burials, alkaline hydrolysis, and natural organic reduction. Explore examples of extreme individual personalization in funeral service.
INTRODUCTION
● Memorialization and personalization ● The rise of cremation compared to traditional types of burial ● Technology’s impact on funeral service functionality ● Shifting attitudes and responsibilities within the funeral profession These current trends across the United States require competitive funeral businesses to develop new skills as the industry becomes a mix of old and new traditions. These new skills and traditions include the use of technology, environmental safety, personalized presentations, natural and/or green practices, home funerals, and natural burials. The U.S. death rate will peak in the 2020s as older baby boomers reach their mid-70s; however, the number of burials will continue to drop, the number of cremations will continue to increase, and consequently, a broader range of services and products will need to be available to a wider consumer base. According to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), the U.S. cremation rate was 61.8% in 2024 and is projected to reach 67.9% by 2029 (CANA, n.d.b). The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) projects the discrepancy between cremation and burial rates will grow even larger and that in 2024, cremation represented 61.9%, while burial represented 33.2% of decisions regarding preferred methods of disposition (NFDA, 2024). By 2045, cremation is projected to represent 82.1% of those decisions. This indicates that competition will increase as funeral homes will be joined by a variety of vendors and industry specialists offering expanded services and products, including comprehensive concierge support, increased personalization options, and pet funerals. Funeral professionals must stay informed about current trends, embrace new technology, and expand their roles to address the industry and consumers’ preferences and demands.
Major trend shifts are occurring in the United States funeral profession. Before the Civil War, when people died in the home the body was prepared where the death occurred, usually with just a simple bathing and dressing. Then the body lay in repose in the home’s parlor until the grave was prepared. For many generations, the family and community would transport the deceased to the graveside and fill in the grave themselves. As time went on, religions and traditions altered the set practice of a funeral with different rituals and undertakers; however, the essence remained the same during the modernization of the funeral industry. Anchored in customs, beliefs, and rituals, a funeral is a ceremonial tribute for celebrating and remembering the life of a deceased person. Though varied in practices, attending a funeral service provides many benefits, including the opportunity to receive and express love while showing respect for the family and the deceased. The gathering of family and friends provides emotional support and helps those grieving face the reality that a death has occurred and understand that death is final. The funeral is the first step in the healing process, especially when the ceremony reflects the life of the person who died. Health care plays a big role in the modern-day funeral rite by allowing professionals in hospitals and nursing and hospice facilities to care for the sick and elderly. Death and dying have moved from our daily lives into this sanitized, specialized environment. Similar to other professions, death care experiences cycles, trends, and market fluctuations that shift as people’s behaviors and values progress. New standards, ideals, and personal views have changed the face of today’s funeral service. No longer traditionalist, today’s families are giving more thought to the uniqueness of their loved ones and how they wish to honor them. Funeral directors must make every effort to meet consumers’ demands and remain competitive. Some current funeral service trends to consider include the following:
EliteLearning.com/Funeral
Book Code: FTX1626
Page 36
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