The traditional funeral industry is facing increased competition. Discount casket stores are springing up, many on the Internet. Cemeteries now offer ceremonies and services customarily provided by funeral homes. Some families are foregoing viewing of the body and chapel services in favor of nontraditional ceremonies.
Cremations now account for one-fourth of all funerals.
These trends are occurring in the wake of a stable death rate and stricter government regulations on funeral pricing. In 1994, the homes were prevented from penalizing families that wanted to buy the casket elsewhere. Traditional funeral directors want the regulations that apply to them also to apply to other providers of so-called death care services. The regulations would require price lists to be published and goods and services to be guaranteed. Cemeteries believe that their costs would rise.