Want to talk about death? A third of us can't even bear to think about it.

When it comes time for us to make decisions about death, most of us – except for Gen Zers – want to be cremated rather than buried, a recent survey of U.S. adults shows.

Members of the Gen Z generation, ages 18 to 27, responded differently from older Americans when asked about death, including disposition, funeral plans, or even just talking about it.

Aside from generational views, the online survey of 2,000 adults in May showed contrasts in our overall attitudes about death.

For example, 91% of Americans overall believe talking about death and dying is normal. But 27% say they’re uncomfortable talking about death. And 31% are uncomfortable just thinking about their own mortality, the survey says.

Most of us would prefer cremation over burial

The survey was conducted for the National Funeral Directors Association in May. It breaks down generations by age this way:

• Gen Z: 18-27
• Millennial: 28-43
• Gen X: 44-59
• Boomer: 60-78
• Post-boomer: 79 and over

Many of us are comfortable talking about death ...

... but about a third of us are less comfortable thinking about our own

Why don't we talk about death?

If we do talk about death, to whom do we talk?

How long should we expect to live?

Americans who don't like to think about their own mortality may take some comfort knowing our life expectancy has increased a bit, according the latest report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Those born in the U.S. in 2022 can expect to live 77.5 years on average, according to the CDC report, released in March. That's an increase from 76.4 years in 2021.

The change reverses a decline in American life spans that began in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: USA TODAY Network reporting and research; National Funeral Directors Association, 2024 Gen Z Consumer Survey; Reuters; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Want to talk about death? A third of us can't even bear to think about it.