Page B13 September 2024 The DD2000-XLC incorporates the capability to secure a standard and oversized cot side-by-side. The system allows four cremation containers, four cots, two air trays, or two caskets to be transported safely by one person. The powered upper deck with safety latch raises and lowers within seconds and can be easily installed inside a full-size cargo van. Robust features like an aluminum deck and steel frame help create the most reliable and durable deck system in the industry. DOUBLE DECK TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT DD2000-XLC Carlton Maye and Ladd Pulliam Elected 2024-26 At-large Representatives to NFDA Board of Directors United States Cremation Rate is Projected to Climb to 61.9% in 2024 BROOKFIELD,WI—The United States cremation rate is projected to increase by 1.3% since last year to 61.9% for 2024, according to the National Funeral Directors Association’s (NFDA) 2024 Cremation and Burial Report. The rate of burial is projected to decrease by 1.3% over 2023 to 33.2%. “There’s no doubt that funeral service is evolving at a rapid pace,” said NFDA president Douglas R. “Dutch” Nie II, CFSP, CCO, CMFP. “The findings in the NFDA Cremation and Burial Report underscore the importance of understanding the changing dynamics within our industry. By staying informed about these trends, funeral directors like me can better anticipate the needs and preferences of today’s consumers. This allows us to provide innovative and personalized services that honor the memories of those we serve while adapting to the shifting landscape of funeral service.” Among the key findings of the report: Cremation Rates Rising: United States cremation rates are projected to increase significantly, reaching 82.1% by 2045, while burial rates are expected to fall to 13.3%. In Canada, cremation rates are projected to reach 90.7% by 2045, with burial rates at 8.7%. Families’ increased preference for cremation is influenced by cost considerations, environmental concerns, fewer religious prohibitions and a desire for simpler funeral ceremonies. The increase in the number of individuals without a religious affiliation has also contributed to the decline in traditional funerals and the rise in cremation. Decline in Death Rates Post-COVID-19: The total number of United States deaths surged in 2020 and peaked in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With increased immunity to COVID-19, the overall number of deaths has been declining and is projected to continue decreasing through 2025, with nearly 300,000 fewer deaths expected in 2025 compared to 2022. After 2025, the number of deaths is projected to rise through 2045, with a 19% increase anticipated by 2045 compared to 2022. Revenue and Employment Trends: Industry revenue is expected to grow at an annualized rate of 1.2%, reaching $20.2 News ASSOCIATION (L to R) Carlton Maye Jr and Ladd Pulliam were elected to serve as at-large representatives on the NFDA Board of Directors. BROOKFIELD,WI— Recently, Carlton Maye Jr and Ladd Pulliam were elected to serve as at-large representatives on the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) board of directors. They will begin two-year terms of service immediately following the 2024 NFDA International Convention & Expo. On July 31, during the NFDA Leadership Conference in Ponte Vedra, FL, state association representatives elected the new at-large representatives. State association representatives are the voting representatives from each state who cast a ballot on behalf of their state for the at-large representatives on the NFDA board of directors. Maye came to funeral service after a successful career in banking and contracting. He currently serves as the funeral director in continuous charge at Hill’s Mortuary of Statesboro, GA. He also proudly serves as a distance learning adjunct faculty member at Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. In addition to being an active member of NFDA, Maye is also a member of the National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association, International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association, and the Academy of Graduate Embalmers of Georgia. He is also a member of the Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association and serves as the organization’s chairman of Sixth District and the education and research director. A funeral director and embalmer for more than 20 years, Pulliam works for Jones and Son Funeral Home, which has locations in Richton, Moselle, Hattiesburg and Beaumont, MI. Pulliam has demonstrated a clear dedication to his chosen profession, having served on the board of directors for the Mississippi Funeral Directors Association, including terms as president in 2014 and 2017. He also has served NFDA as a member of the Policy Board, workforce development task force and as a state association representative. NFDA extends its gratitude to the other at-large representative candidates who stepped forward as candidates in this competitive race: Jacob “Jay” Hunn, Hunn, Black & Merritt Funeral Home & Crematory, Eufaula, OK; and Bill Vallie, Sunset Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, Odessa, TX. During the month of June, qualified NFDA members elected the following individuals to serve as officers on the Board of Directors: President-elect Daniel J. Ford, Alderson-Ford Funeral Home, Cheshire, CT; Treasurer Chris E. Christian, Christian-Sells Funeral Home, Rogersville, TN; and Secretary Bobby “Steve” Spann, Spann Funeral Home, Dickson, TN. Christopher P. Robinson of Robinson Family Funeral Homes, which has three locations near Easley, SC, will ascend from his current president-elect role to lead NFDA as the 2024-25 President. Current NFDA President Douglas R. “Dutch” Nie, II, Nie Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ann Arbor, MI, will continue his service on the board with a one-year term as immediate past president. Also continuing their service on the board of directors are 2023-25 at-large representatives Homer E. Elwood Jr, Gray Funeral Home, Clinton, SC, and Ellen Wynn McBrayer, JonesWynn Funeral Home & Crematory, Villa Rica, GA. For more information, visit NFDA.org/Elections. billion by 2029. Key factors affecting funeral home revenue include per capita disposable income, the number of deaths, the aging population, and the rise in cremations. Despite inflation, disposable income is projected to increase, positively impacting funeral expenditure. Employment in the funeral service sector is projected to grow by 3% from 2022 to 2032, with the availability of qualified personnel remaining a major challenge. Increasing Use of Technology: The pandemic accelerated the adoption of livestreaming services, with more than half of NFDA-member firms offering such options. Additionally, 40% of member firms offer online cremation arrangements, with 28.2% planning to introduce these options within the next three years. NFDA members may download a complimentary copy of the 2024 NFDA Cremation and Burial Report via the NFDA Store, NFDA.org/Store (click the “Downloadable Products” category). @Nomis.Publications Like News FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY online Your Real Source. Anywhere. Anytime.
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