In the past, we identified migration as a key contributor for the increasing cremation rate. Ultimately, it’s largely a logistical decision for people who have moved around and no longer live near family. Arranging a direct cremation is simply the easiest alternative when you have to make long distance funeral arrangements.
But that isn’t the only factor at play. Some cremation experts believe that the mindset of people who move around is fundamentally different than people who stay in the same place, and that’s what makes the biggest difference in whether or not someone chooses cremation over burial.
The Roaming vs Rooted Concept
The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) has come up with a concept it refers to as Roaming vs Rooted. They’ve identified characteristics for the two groups:
Roaming Traits
- Less or No Religious Affiliation
- Greater Affiliation With Non-Christian Religions
- Higher Average Incomes
- Non-English Speaking or English as Second Language
- Lower Level of Homeownership
- Higher Home Values
- Higher Average Level of Education
- More Small Business Ownership
Rooted Traits
- Greater Affiliation With Christianity
- Lower Average Incomes
- Higher Homeownership Rate
- Lower Home Value
- More Manufacturing Businesses
- Lower Average Level of Education
In general, those who are rooted tend to be more traditional and connected to the environments where they grew up. People who move around are exposed to more ideas and traditions, making them more open to different options.
Are People Roaming or Rooted More?
Given how influential roaming versus rooted is, funeral homes should be paying attention to how much people are moving around. Migration trends have been changing in recent years, and that could ultimately impact which funeral services people select in the future.
Fewer People Are Moving Today
U.S. Census data provides an in-depth look at moving trends. The latest data shows that 9% fewer Americans moved in 2023 compared to 2022. However, that includes data on all moves. Moving locally has been on the decline for a while since the 1960s when around 20% of people moved each year. But moving to another state is on the rise.
In the 1960s only 3% of moves were interstate, meaning from one state to another. That would be around 6 million people in 1969. In 2022, 8.2 million people moved to a different state. Census takers have noted that interstate moving has been increasing since 2006.
So, fewer people overall are moving, but when they do they are more likely to roam long distance.
Housing Affordability is Influences Moves More Than Work Commutes
Before the Covid pandemic Americans were becoming more migratory. We were on the move, largely in pursuit of furthering professional careers. Millions of people were willing to move out of state if it meant better job opportunities.
However, that trend has been turned on its head, largely because remote work became much more commonplace during the pandemic. The setup worked well enough that many businesses have continued letting employees work partially or entirely from home. Without having to commit to a daily commute, more people are now moving to lower their cost of living.
The cost of housing has skyrocketed in the last five years. As a result, today the top reason that people move is to lower their cost of living and improve their chances of owning a home. Many people now have the flexibility to live virtually anywhere since they can work from the home they buy.
We expect that migration will continue to have an impact on cremation rates, but the type of impact it will have remains to be seen. The states people are migrating to the most are in the southeast where the cremation rates are the lowest in the country. It remains to be seen whether people moving to those states will adopt the local ways and be less likely to choose cremation, or if they’ll end up influencing the communities that they move to and increase the cremation rate.
At Direct Cremate we can help you better understand your disposition options and assist you in arranging long distance direct cremation services. Give us a call or text any time to learn more.
