Cremation Statistics in Europe by country

Based on the International Cremation Statistics 2023 (Pharos / The Cremation Society of Great Britain), supplemented with national official sources where available.

Cremation is becoming the dominant funeral choice across Europe, but adoption rates vary widely from country to country. This article provides a complete overview of cremation statistics in Europe by country, highlighting the latest available data, regional differences, and cultural trends shaping funeral practices.

Infographic: Cremation rate by country (Europe)

Key takeaways

In 2023, cremation rates across Europe showed very strong contrasts:

• Highest adoption: Slovenia (86.7%), Denmark (86.5%), Czech Republic (85.6%), Sweden (84.7%).

• Western Europe: United Kingdom (80.8%), Switzerland (80.3%), Germany (76%), Belgium & Netherlands (~68%).

• Southern Europe: Spain (45%), Austria (44.6%), France (41.3%), Italy (38%).

• Lowest adoption: Romania (0.5%), Greece (4.6%), Bulgaria (6.6%).

This north–south and west–east divide illustrates cultural, religious, and legislative differences in funeral practices.

Grey bars indicate countries where 2023 data was not available (value = “n/a”).

Regional trends

• Northern and Central Europe lead cremation adoption, often above 80%, reflecting secularisation and strong infrastructure.

• Western Europe (UK, Switzerland, Germany, Benelux) shows steady growth, averaging 70–80%.

• Southern Europe (Spain, France, Italy) lags behind but continues to rise, with rates between 35–45%.

• Eastern and Balkan countries (Romania, Bulgaria, Greece) remain far lower, often below 10%, mainly due to cultural and religious preferences.

Table of European Countries – Cremation Rates (2023 or latest)

Conclusion

Cremation is now the dominant choice in many European countries, particularly in the North and West, while traditional burial remains strong in the South and East. These trends reflect not only cultural and religious traditions but also the availability of crematoria and legal frameworks.

👉 For insights into ecological burials (natural cemeteries, aquamation, biodegradable urns), read our dedicated article: Ecological Burials in Europe.

👉 To learn more about regulations on cremation, urns and funeral ashes, read our dedicated article: Guidelines for scattering human ashes in Europe: Laws & Customs by Country

👉Funeral urn – What can you do with it?

Sources

• Pharos / The Cremation Society of Great Britain, International Cremation Statistics 2023 (2024 edition).
• The Cremation Society, “International Statistics 2023” page.
• National reports when cited in the text.

Last updated: September 22, 2025

FAQ – Cremation in Europe

Which country has the highest cremation rate in Europe?
Slovenia currently leads Europe with a cremation rate of 86.7%, closely followed by Denmark (86.5%), Czech Republic (85.6%) and Sweden (84.7%).

Which country has the lowest cremation rate in Europe?
Romania records the lowest cremation rate in Europe at just 0.5% (Bucharest and Cluj only). Other countries with very low rates include Greece (4.6%) and Bulgaria (6.6%).

What is the average cremation rate in Europe?
Across Europe, the average cremation rate is around 55–60%, but it varies significantly by region: Northern and Western Europe are usually above 70–80%, while Southern and Eastern Europe remain below 50%.

Why are cremation rates higher in Northern and Western Europe?
Secularisation, greater availability of crematoria, and changing cultural attitudes explain the higher adoption in these regions compared to more traditional or religious countries in Southern and Eastern Europe.

Are cremation rates in Europe increasing?
Yes. Most countries show a steady upward trend in cremation, especially in Southern Europe (Spain, France, Italy), where the practice is growing year after year.