China Funeral and Cremation Service Market Overview, 2029

The institutional framework that governs the funeral and cremation service market in China is very comprehensive, covering various issues related to public health, cultural habits, and environmental concerns. Accordingly, the Funeral Management Regulations require proper licensing for funeral houses and crematoriums, with due consideration to the requirements of safety and quality standards, respect, and hygiene for the deceased. Many countries have compulsory policies on cremation to supplement the lack of space in burials, thus promoting cremation as the most common form of cremations, more so in cities where the land is limited. Public health regulations enforce strict healthy and safe working conditions during handling a body and cremation in order to prevent diseases from being spread and maintain cleanliness. Further, environmental regulations require crematoriums to utilize the newest technologies in emission reduction and observation of the set environmental standards, thus approaching the ecological aspect of cremation. As much as there is a great drive towards cremation, local authorities, especially in the rural setting where cultural practices are still observed, tend to enact policies that respect traditional burial. Such campaigns are held to increase awareness of the advantages of cremation and of the necessity of following these regulations. Providers may be granted financial assistance in order to provide funeral services at an affordable cost for low-income families in their service area. Providers are required to obtain certifications and licenses, which are open to regular inspection to ensure that all requirements according to the law are duly met. So, with the challenge of urban land scarcity combined with a fast-aging population, local governments and funeral companies in China are trying out new ways for burial rites. Market growth is further fueled by increasing internet reach and digitalization, helped by government efforts, especially in developing countries.

According to the research report "China Funeral and Cremation Services Market Overview, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the China funeral and cremation services market is anticipated to grow at more than 3% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. The funeral home and funeral service market in China is a rapidly growing industry, driven by factors such as an increasing aging population and changing cultural attitudes towards death and mourning. Funeral homes and funeral service providers play a crucial role in offering end-of-life services, including funeral planning, embalming, cremation, and burial services. In addition, the market is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for market share, ranging from small family-owned funeral homes to large multinational corporations. These services can vary greatly depending on cultural and religious practices, but they generally involve a gathering of family and friends to pay their final respects and celebrate the life lived. During these services, eulogies may be delivered, prayers recited, and hymns sung to commemorate the deceased. In addition, funeral services often provide a platform for loved ones to share stories and memories, fostering a sense of community and support among those in attendance. In China, funeral services also include burial or cremation ceremonies, symbolizing the final resting place of the departed and providing a sense of closure for the grieving family and friends. Changing attitudes toward death and funeral practices, including a growing preference for personalized and non-traditional funerals, are driving innovation and diversification in the services offered by funeral homes, thereby boosting the growth of the funeral home and funeral service market in China. Funeral homes have started offering unique and tailored experiences, from eco-friendly burials to personalized memorial services, to cater to the changing needs and desires of individuals and their families.

Cremation leads the way in the focal Chinese funeral and cremation service market. This is due mainly to the lifestyle shift in people, increased urbanization, and a government policy that advocates for cremation over the traditional burial. Regarding the metropolitan regions, where the availability of land for burials is decreasing, a large share of the population has been scrutinizing means that are more pragmatic and environmentally amiable, such as cremation. "The growth of cremation is continuous because of cremation, modern values, and space management, and it is the choice of most families. However, funeral planning services are also on the rise because of the increasing need to pre-plan for funeral services. Growth is driven by the surge in awareness regarding the emotional and financial benefits of planning in advance; this makes such times more bearable for the families. The convenience of online planning platforms is also appealing, as it allows families to make session arrangements directed by their preferences from the comfort of their homes. The transportation section entails facilities that are meant for the deceased and the ailing family, and this is an important requirement for lifting the service and allowing the family to present them with the service without any obstruction. This section is an important one for facilitating the respectful and timely transportation of the deceased. Body preparations and interments include the fundamental requirements of embalmment, clothing, and burial procedure that help families preferring conformist procedures. These services are necessary to retain cultural practices and uphold the dignity of the person that has died. The remaining section is for ancillary services that may be offered, such as grief counselling and memorial products, to cover the needs and preferences of different families.

The immediate need segment drives the funeral and cremation service market in China since, upon a loved one's death, funeral services become quite urgent and unavoidable. Within this cultural setting, where respect toward the dead is key, families will be looking forward to quick, dignified arrangements, including cremation or burial, with a view to meeting cultural and religious commitments. Besides, it would also mean immediate need of such services, which would push families towards the funeral service providers with the motive of quick and comprehensive support. Public policy, too, has been found to support cremation, making it a standard practice in most urban areas and once again, it is reviving the demand for immediate services as families easily get stressed by the funeral logistics at the time of such loss. Pre-planning is driven by an ever-growing awareness of the emotional and financial benefits of being able to make the choices for the services personally instead of putting the burden onto loved ones during such a trying time. As the societal outlook on death and funerals changes, there is a will to talk about death and funeral services, increasing pre-planned services. The availability of online websites on pre-planning also attests to the widening trend, facilitating accessible tools to families so that they may personalize arrangements in a more tailored approach. What one can see is that the upsurge in financial products related to funeral planning today has maximized their purchase for end-of-life arrangements, thereby increasing participation in pre-planning services.

The funeral and cremation service market in China is driven by an offline distribution channel, with a very long history of operations, plus the fact that personal contact is very important in Asian cultures, particularly at very sensitive moments. Most families would like to contact a funeral service provider directly for any immediate need, appreciating the personal support, guidance, and empathetic care professionals can offer in case of death. This trust and credibility that traditional funeral homes and crematoriums have built over the years makes them the first choice for families to have complete and respectful arrangements. Besides, it is easier to follow local customs and traditions through this offline channel. Customs and traditions are important in Chinese culture. A fast-growing distribution channel online is the result of changing consumer preferences and technological development, reshaping the market. Increased comfort with digital solutions, especially among the younger generation, has seen online funeral services grow as a way of allowing families to plan and arrange funerals conveniently from their homes. Online platforms offer an array of services ranging from price comparisons and reviews, package details, and online memorials to pre-planning options. This has been accelerated even more by the pandemic as families looked for a safe alternative to the traditional in-person meetings. It, therefore, means that currently, funeral service providers are increasingly investing in online presence as a way to reach a wider market base and extend the flexibility of their services.



Considered in this report
• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report
• Funereal Service market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Provider
• The Funeral Director
• Embalming Services
• Mortician Services
• Funeral Homes With Crematories
• Visitation Or Viewing Services
• Graveside Committal
• Selling Funeral Supplies
• Transporting The Deceased

By Service
• Cremation
• Funeral Planning Services
• Transportation
• Body Preparation And Interment
• Others

By Application
• Immediate need
• Pre-Planned

By Distribution Channel
• Online
• Offline

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Funereal Service industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.