Family Features
One of the most difficult conversations many people have in their lives involves the end of life. While often uncomfortable to think about or discuss with others, talking about and sharing end-of-life wishes should be a common occurrence.
In fact, 91% of Americans believe talking about death and dying is healthy and normal, but one in four (27%) are uncomfortable actually doing it, according to a first-of-its-kind survey commissioned by the National Funeral Directors Association, the world’s largest funeral service association.
With nearly one-third (31%) of survey respondents admitting they’re uncomfortable thinking about their mortality, Remembering A Life, the organization’s online resource for accessing grief resources and funeral planning information, is offering a free downloadable guide, Start the Conversation, to help family and friends have meaningful conversations about loved ones and how they’d like to be remembered.
The survey revealed a need for finding healthy ways to discuss death and end-of-life plans with friends and family, as well as new generational trends, highlighting Gen Z’s unique perspective about end-of-life matters. Consider these notable survey insights:
Talking about death
While nine out of 10 Americans surveyed believe talking about death and dying is healthy and normal, Gen Z (18%) is significantly more likely than older adults to believe it’s not healthy and normal — bucking the generation’s reputation as open and willing to discuss difficult and controversial topics. Those uncomfortable with talking about death cited not wanting to upset others (37%) and considering it too depressing (34%).
Preferences for burial and cremation
Over the past several years, the U.S. cremation rate has increased steadily (60.5% in 2023) and the trend is forecasted to grow to 81.4% by 2045, according to NFDA’s 2023 Cremation and Burial Report. While cremation is still a top preference for baby boomers (66%), Gen X (50%) and millennials (42%) — and half of all Americans overall — Gen Z stands alone with traditional burial as its top preference (37%).
Importance of funerals
Americans strongly agree funerals provide time to reflect on another’s life (59%) and are for the living to help them grieve and heal (57%). What’s more, 68% of Gen Z believe it’s important to commemorate the life of a loved one with a funeral or memorial service compared to 44% of baby boomers.
Comfort with the idea of death
According to the survey, two in three adults (69%) are at least somewhat comfortable thinking about their own eventual death and seven in 10 (73%) are at least somewhat comfortable talking with others about death. More baby boomers (33%) are comfortable thinking about their mortality than Gen Z (24%) and millennials (28%).
Communicating preferred funeral plans
Nearly two-thirds of adults (62%) have discussed their preferred funeral plans with family members. Similarly, 64% have had family members communicate their preferred plans to them. Baby boomers (75%) are most likely to have shared plans, while Gen Z (59%) are most likely to have not communicated their funeral plans.
To access the free download and additional free resources for discussing end-of-life plans, including checklists and brochures, visit RememberingALife.com.