Cemeteries and Crematories Revenue Benchmarks
The average cemeteries and crematories business in the United States generates $1.1M in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB 2021). There are 3,698 cemeteries and crematories businesses in the U.S., employing 30,518 workers with an average profit margin of 8.0%. The average employee in this industry earns $53K per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW 2023).
What Does a Cemeteries and Crematories Business Actually Do?
Cemeteries selling burial plots and interment services; crematories performing cremations. Include memorial gardens, mausoleums, columbaria.
Who buys: Bereaved families arranging burials, pre-need customers pre-paying arrangements.
Average Revenue
$1.1M
per year
Profit Margin
8.0%
industry average
Revenue / Employee
$131K
per year
Total Businesses
3,698
in the US
Est. Owner Income
$86K
small business avg
Labor Cost
38.0%
of revenue
Avg Employee Wage
$53K
per year (BLS)
Market Saturation
1.1
firms per 100K people
How Much Do Cemeteries and Crematories Charge?
Cemeteries and crematories sell plots, interment, cremation, and monuments.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
Basic plot (grave space) | $1,500–5,000 |
Mausoleum crypt | $5,000–25,000 |
Cremation (direct) | $800–2,500 |
Interment fee (opening/closing) | $1,000–2,500 |
Monument / headstone | $1,500–10,000 |
Ranges based on industry rate surveys and typical published pricing. Actual quotes vary by city, business size, and job complexity.
Complete cemeteries and crematories business plan
A 12-section data-backed business plan for a cemeteries and crematories business — executive summary, market analysis, competitive landscape, revenue model, 3-year financial projections, operations, marketing, staffing, funding request. Pre-populated with real Census, IRS, and BLS data on this industry. Free to view.
Cost Structure — Where Every $100 in Revenue Goes
Approximate P&L breakdown for the cemeteries and crematories industry. Labor share and net profit are grounded in Census SUSB and IRS SOI data. Other lines are split using sector-typical ratios.
| Category | Per $100 revenue | Per typical business | What's in it |
|---|---|---|---|
Supplies & materials | $16 | $175K | Direct consumables — parts for repair shops, chemicals for laundries, etc. |
Wages & benefits | $38 | $410K | Payroll for all employees at the business (owner comp not included for small owner-operators). |
Rent & facilities | $11 | $117K | Rent or mortgage on business location plus utilities tied to the space. |
Marketing & advertising | $5 | $58K | Google/Meta ads, SEO, print, referral fees, event sponsorships. |
Other operating costs | $22 | $233K | Insurance, licensing, tools, uniforms, small equipment. |
Net profit | $8 | $86K | What remains for the owner or shareholders after all business expenses. |
Directionally accurate for a typical business in the industry. Individual businesses vary widely — a franchise may run a very different cost mix from an independent, and older established businesses often have lower labor share than newer ones.
Average Revenue by Business Size
Industry Dynamics (Census BDS 2023)
New Business Rate
4.21%
openings/year
Closure Rate
5.3%
closings/year
Net Job Growth
-1.72%
annual
Businesses Closed
678
in 2023
Firm Count Trend
Should You Start a Cemeteries and Crematories Business?
Startup Cost
$30K – $150K
Break-Even
13 months
5-Year Survival Rate
50.0%
Related Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a cemeteries and crematories business do?
- Cemeteries selling burial plots and interment services; crematories performing cremations. Include memorial gardens, mausoleums, columbaria. Bereaved families arranging burials, pre-need customers pre-paying arrangements.
- How much do cemeteries and crematories charge?
- Cemeteries and crematories sell plots, interment, cremation, and monuments. See the pricing table above for typical rates by service type.
- How much does the average cemeteries and crematories make per year?
- The average cemeteries and crematories business generates $1.1M in annual revenue, based on U.S. Census Bureau data (SUSB 2021). After expenses, the estimated owner profit is $86K per year at a 8.0% profit margin.
- How many cemeteries and crematories businesses are there in the US?
- There are 3,698 cemeteries and crematories businesses operating in the United States, employing a total of 30,518 workers.
- How much does it cost to start a cemeteries and crematories business?
- Startup costs for a cemeteries and crematories business typically range from $30K to $150K, with a 5-year survival rate of 50.0%.
- What is the average salary in the cemeteries and crematories industry?
- The average employee in the cemeteries and crematories industry earns $53K per year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data (QCEW 2023).
Industry Growth & Survival
The cemeteries and crematories industry is relatively stable — with a net job growth rate of -1.7%. Entry and exit rates are balanced at 4.2% and 5.3% respectively.
Approximately 76% of cemeteries and crematories businesses survive their first 5 years. This is above the national average (~50%), making it a relatively safe industry to enter. In 2023, 678 firms in this industry closed permanently.
Employment & Wages
The average employee in the cemeteries and crematories industry earns $52,931/year. This is near the national average of ~$65K. With 4,409 establishments employing 31,118 people, the typical business has about 7 employees.
Industry Trend (2000–2023)
The cemeteries and crematories industry has declined 12% since 2000 (from 14,945 to 13,145 firms).
See full historical statistics →Compare Cemeteries and Crematories revenue with other industries: