Has the Rise of Cremation Slowed in Australia?

Over the past two decades, cremation has reshaped the funeral industry in Australia. Once considered the exception, cremation now accounts for more than 70% of all recorded deaths nationwide—driven by shifting cultural attitudes, economic factors, environmental awareness, and personal choice.

But as we move deeper into the 2020s, a pressing question emerges: Has the rise of cremation slowed?

In this in-depth article, we explore the latest cremation statistics, emerging burial trends, the evolving preferences of Australian families, and what it all means for the future of funeral planning.

A Quick Recap: The Rise of Cremation in Australia

Before we assess whether the cremation trend is tapering off, it’s important to understand how it rose to prominence.

✅ Key Drivers Behind Cremation’s Growth:

1. Affordability: Cremation is often far less expensive than traditional burial.
2. Flexibility: Families can delay or customise memorials after cremation.
3. Urbanisation: Space constraints in cities make cremation more practical.
4. Cultural Shifts: Decline in religious adherence has reduced pressure for traditional burials.
5. Environmental Awareness: Growing interest in greener options has pushed some toward cremation as a perceived “less impactful” choice.

Between 1990 and 2020, Australia saw cremation rates soar from approximately 40% to over 70%, depending on region. Capital cities like Melbourne and Sydney often report even higher rates—upwards of 80%.

But is this growth curve continuing at the same pace?

Has the Rise of Cremation Slowed in Recent Years?

📊 The Data Says: A Plateau May Be Emerging

According to data from state funeral industry associations and recent ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) releases, cremation rates appear to be stabilising rather than rising sharply.

• 2020–2023: National cremation rates hovered around 70–72%.
• Regional differences remain: Urban areas report higher cremation rates, while rural communities often favour traditional burial.
• Younger generations are more open to direct cremation and non-traditional services, but some are also exploring greener or alternative options like natural burial.

This suggests that the meteoric rise of cremation may have peaked—or at least plateaued—at a national level.

What Could Be Slowing the Growth?

Several emerging factors may be contributing to the slowdown in cremation’s growth trajectory:

1. The Rise of Natural Burials

Eco-conscious Australians are increasingly exploring natural or green burials. These options involve biodegradable coffins, no embalming, and burial in bushland or conservation sites.

Natural burial appeals to those who want a more sustainable alternative without the carbon footprint associated with traditional cremation.

📌 FuneralSmart Tip: Many independent funeral providers now offer hybrid services, combining natural burial with personalised ceremony planning.

2. Reconnection with Cultural and Religious Traditions

Australia’s multicultural society is creating renewed interest in culturally rooted burial traditions.

• Muslim and Jewish Australians continue to favour burial.
• Pacific Islander and some African communities also traditionally prefer burial.
• First Nations Australians may seek to be buried on ancestral lands or follow culturally significant practices.

These communities are growing—and their traditions influence the national picture.

3. Perceived Environmental Concerns

Although cremation has long been seen as an eco-friendlier choice than burial, environmental advocacy groups are challenging that perception.

Cremation emits roughly 160kg of CO₂ per body, and the process requires significant energy. As public awareness grows, this could lead families to seek even more sustainable alternatives.

Enter: aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis) and recomposition (human composting)—still emerging, but gaining attention.

Has COVID-19 Influenced Cremation Trends?

Yes—temporarily.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Australians opted for direct cremation, especially when public gatherings were restricted. This streamlined process allowed families to hold memorials at a later date, often more personalised and less formal than traditional funerals.

While cremation use increased during 2020–2021, this was largely due to public health restrictions and economic concerns, not necessarily long-term preference shifts.

Now that restrictions have lifted, some families are returning to traditional or hybrid funerals that incorporate burial or ash interment in cemeteries.

Direct Cremation: Still on the Rise?

While overall cremation rates may be levelling off, direct cremation—a low-cost, no-service cremation—is still growing in popularity.

FuneralSmart has seen a rise in funeral providers capitalising on this trend, offering cremation packages starting under $3,000.

Direct cremation offers:

• No viewing or formal funeral
• Ashes returned to the family
• Flexibility to hold a private memorial later

It’s a popular option for:

• Budget-conscious families
• Secular households
• Those wanting a personalised, informal goodbye

However, this growth may be eating into traditional funeral home cremation services rather than expanding the overall cremation market.

What About the Future? 5 Cremation Trends to Watch

While cremation growth has stabilised, the nature of cremation services is rapidly evolving. Here’s what’s ahead:

1. Cremation With Memorials at Home or Outdoors

Families are moving away from chapel services and choosing private, meaningful venues for ash scattering or memorials—beaches, bushlands, or even backyards.

2. Eco-Friendly Cremation Urns

Expect growth in biodegradable urns, living memorials (e.g., tree-planting urns), and artisan-made ash containers.

3. Digital Memorialisation

Online memorials, livestreamed ash scatterings, and digital urns are rising. FuneralSmart has noticed increasing search interest in “online tributes” and “virtual goodbyes.”

4. Aquamation (Water Cremation)

This new method uses water and alkali to break down the body. It uses 90% less energy than flame cremation and is legal in several Australian states. Funeral homes offering aquamation will likely increase as regulation and demand grow.

5. Cremation Jewellery and Keepsakes

More families are turning cremated remains into wearable jewellery, glass art, or even tattoos—adding lasting meaning to remembrance.

Regional Differences in Cremation Preferences

Not all parts of Australia view cremation the same way:

State/Territory	Approx. Cremation Rate	Notable Trends
Victoria	~75–80%	High urban cremation; growing interest in natural burials
New South Wales	~72%	Mix of cremation and burial, especially in multicultural areas
Queensland	~70%	Higher interest in eco-funerals and regional cemeteries
Western Australia	~65%	Cremation common in metro areas, but rural areas vary
Tasmania	~68%	Cremation growth stabilising; space constraints in Hobart
South Australia	~70%	Growth in green burial grounds
ACT & NT	Varies	Limited crematoriums in NT; cremation more common in ACT

Has the Rise of Cremation Slowed? The Verdict

In summary, yes—the once exponential growth of cremation in Australia appears to be slowing or stabilising, especially in metro areas where rates are already high.

But that doesn’t mean the cremation story is over.

What’s evolving is how cremation is approached:

• More direct cremations
• More personalised or eco-conscious rituals
• New technologies like aquamation
• Shifting consumer demands for price transparency and customisation

As Australians become more informed and values-driven in their end-of-life choices, cremation remains a dominant option—but no longer the only one considered.

Plan Smart: Funeral Options for Every Australian

At FuneralSmart, we help you compare cremation, burial, and natural funeral options without hidden fees or confusing jargon.

Whether you’re considering:

• Direct cremation services
• Green funeral providers
• Custom memorial planning
• Cremation vs. burial comparisons

…we’ve got you covered.

Visit FuneralSmart.com.au today to compare prices, find funeral homes near you, and explore every option with clarity and confidence.

Final Thought

Cremation may no longer be “on the rise”—but the movement toward meaningful, affordable, and personal farewells is just getting started.

And FuneralSmart is here to guide you every step of the way.