The first crematorium in the United States began operations in 1876 in Pittsburgh. Prior to that, the few people who were cremated had done so abroad. Cremation gradually grew in popularity and by 1914, it accounted for about 4% of all funerals in the United States. However, its popularity declined during World War I because of concerns that it was un-American and because of the shortage of wood for coffins. After the war, cremation regained its popularity and by 1960, it had become the preferred method of burial in the United States. Today, about 50% of all deaths result in cremation.