Life Today and in the Future

2000-2050

For those born in the first half of the 21st century, technology rules their lives. As for what death and funerals will be like 10, 20 or even 50 years in the future, we predict that technology will rule in those areas as well.

Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy during this era was 78.

Closing the Gap

Although white people in the United States continue to live significantly longer than black people do, the longevity gap between the two groups has always been decreasing.

Secular vs. Religious

They are growing up with secular memorial services becoming as common as religious funerals. They barely know the old Christian hymns beloved by their grandparents, such as "Abide With Me" and "In the Sweet By and By."

Cremation

They are growing up with a new form of consolation for death: not eternal life in Heaven but a reunion, via cremation, with earth, air, fire and water.

Internet

Consolation has always been available via a website.

Cellphones

Possibly indicating that fear of being buried alive has not altogether gone away, some people are still asking to be buried with workable mobile phones.

Meditation

Visiting deceased relatives is generally accomplished through meditation and spiritual reflection rather than by trekking to the gravesite.

Notable Deaths

Notable deaths have included those of St. John Paul II, a former pope, and Nelson Mandela.

In the News

2001 - Terrorists attack the World Trade Center and Pentagon

2001 - USA invades Afghanistan

2003 - USA leads a coalition invading Iraq

2003 - Space Shuttle Columbia burns up in the upper atmosphere, killing all seven crew members

2004 - Massive tsunami in Indian Ocean kills upward of 230,000 people

2005 - Hurricane Katrina kills 1,833 people

2009 - World Health Organization declares swine flu a pandemic

2010 - Earthquake in Haiti kills upward of 159,000 people

2011 - War in Iraq ends