Graveyards of the Contiguous United States

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In the United States, the spatial distribution of cemeteries is influenced by a variety of factors. Urban areas tend to have a higher concentration of cemeteries due to limited space and historical burial practices. In contrast, rural areas often have more dispersed cemeteries, sometimes located near churches or family homesteads.

Regional variations also play a role. The Northeast, with its older settlements and higher population density, tends to have more cemeteries that are also older. In contrast, the Western states, with their vast expanses of land, feature a more scattered distribution of cemeteries.

Religious and cultural factors further shape the distribution of cemeteries. For example, areas with a higher Catholic or Jewish population may have more cemeteries associated with those religious traditions.

There are about 17,500 cemeteries in the U.S.   Around 7,500 cemeteries in the USA were ran for profit. The largest cemetery in the United States is Calverton National Cemetery in New York. It spans over 1,045 acres and is the final resting place for over 400,000 veterans and their family members.There are about 17,500 cemeteries in the U.S. The largest cemetery in the United States is Calverton National Cemetery in New York. It spans over 1,045 acres and is the final resting place for over 400,000 veterans and their family members.

The map below created by Joshua Stevens shows graveyards of the United States.

In terms of mortality rates, approximately 2.8 million people die in the United States each year. This number can vary from year to year based on factors such as population growth and aging demographics.

The cost of a funeral can also vary widely depending on factors such as location, type of service, and additional expenses. On average, a traditional funeral in the United States can cost between $7,000 and $12,000. This cost typically includes services such as embalming, a casket, a burial vault, and a memorial service.

According to National Funeral Director’s Association, the average out-of-pocket funeral expenses are $7,360. In the thirty years since then, the price of funerals in the U.S. has risen almost twice as fast as consumer prices for all items. From December 1986 to September 2017, funeral expenses rose 227.1%, while prices for all items rose 123.4%.

Average funeral costs ($):
1. Mississipi – 6,182
2. Oklahoma – 6,499
3. Michigan – 6,528
4. Alabama – 6,536
5. Arkansas – 6,536
6. Missouri – 6,643
7. Tennessee – 6,580
8. Kansas – 6,587
9. Georgia – 6,683
10. Texas – 6,720
11. Wyoming – 6,727
12. Indiana – 6,734
13. Iowa – 6,764
14. Kentucky – 6,815
15. Idaho – 6,823
16. Ohio – 6,823
17. New Mexico – 6,837
18. Lousiana – 6,874
19. Nebraska – 6,874
20. North Carolina – 6,911
21. Arizona – 6,963
22. Wisconsin – 7,088
23. Utah – 7,110
24. Illinois – 7,117
25. West Virginia – 7,124
26. South Carolina – 7,235
27. Florida – 7,279
28. North Dakota – 7,286
29. Minnesota – 7,375
30. Pennsylvania – 7,448
31. South Dakota – 7,448
32. Virginia – 7,515
33. Colorado – 7,647
34. Montana – 7,647
35. Delaware – 7,757
36. Washington – 7,971
37. Nevada – 8,118
38. New Hampshire – 8,243
39. Maine – 8,560
40. Vermont – 8,641
41. New Jersey – 8,714
42. Rhode Island – 8,994
43. Connecticut – 9,355
44. Massachusetts – 9,391
45. Oregon – 9,568
46. Maryland – 9,597
47. Alaska – 9,634
48. New York – 9,855
49. California – 10,378
50. Hawaii – 13,712