Analysis
NAICS 8122 is the 2022 industry group for death care services, part of 812 (Personal and Laundry Services). Census lists 21 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 20,232 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 140,806 people at an average annual payroll of $45,709 per employee (13th percentile of national industries). 52% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
By establishments it ranks 4th of the 4 codes at this level within Personal and Laundry Services, with 7.4% of them.
Across its national industries Census lists 21 index entries; typical ones are director services, funeral and animal cemeteries.
It splits into 2 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 81221 (Funeral Homes and Funeral Services) with 15,183.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 2% and employment rose 4%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Official definition
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in preparing the dead for burial or interment, conducting funerals, operating sites or structures reserved for the interment of human or animals remains, and/or cremating the dead.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Index entries (21)
- Director services, funeral
- Animal cemeteries