Renée Townsend How much does the average funeral cost in Texas? Specifically, how much does it cost to cremate someone, and how expensive is it to bury someone in the state? Also, how do these costs compare to national figures?
The average funeral cost in Texas is over $7,100, which puts it in the lower 2/5 of the nation. Simple burial costs in the state hover around $3,000, and direct cremation is generally more affordable.
Read on to know more about funeral costs in Texas. And if you need to know about some low-cost options for burying your loved ones, we offer some solutions below.
What is the average funeral cost in Texas?
After a loved one dies in Texas, your immediate considerations may be removing their body from their place of death and embalming or refrigeration.
How much does it cost to move a loved one’s body to a funeral home? It is hard to find this information. Many funeral homes will simply include the cost of moving a body among their general funeral services or in special packages, including those for direct cremation.
What about embalming? Texas law does not require embalming or refrigeration unless a funeral director or licensed agent will store the body for over 24 hours.
What about overall funeral costs in Texas? Below is a breakdown of expenses based on burials, cremations, and other funeral considerations.
Burial Costs in Texas
Whether you choose to have a traditional funeral or go with a simple burial in Texas, you may need to purchase a casket, a service vehicle service, and a hearse ride.
Texas does not require a casket for burial, but funeral homes often do. Some metal caskets may cost at least $2,000, mahogany caskets may cost over $11,000, and ebony caskets may cost around $20,000. Caskets with alternative materials and disaster bags may cost $150 or less.
Texas funeral homes will charge you at least $200 if you need to use a service car or van to transport a procession (from a chapel to a graveside, for example). Prices may differ based on the mode of transportation.
Simple burials may include graveside services, so a hearse ride is necessary. These may cost around $150 on the cheap end.
With that said, here is a sample of companies in Texas that offer overall rates for simple burials on their websites:
| Company | Location | Simple Burial Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services | 913 N. Elm St., Weatherford, Texas 76086 | $3,040-$23,040 |
| King Tears Mortuary | 1300 E. 12th Street, Austin, TX 78702 | $2,495-$2,995 |
| Legends Funeral Home | 101-B Centerpoint Rd., San Marcos, Texas 78666 | $2,795 |
| Lincoln Funeral Home | 8100 Fireside Dr., Dallas, TX 75217 | $4,490-$22,490 |
| Rahma Funeral Home | 7810 Spring Valley Rd., Dallas, TX 75254 | $2,760 |
| Robert Massie Funeral Home – San Angelo | 402 Rio Concho Dr., San Angelo, Texas 76093 | $4,250 |
| Wright’s Funeral Parlor | 1913 Junction Hwy, Kerrville, Texas 78028 | $1,895-$3,055 |
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Funeral homes may add fees if you need to repatriate remains in Texas or a body weighs more than 300 pounds.
Cremation Costs in Texas
How much does cremation cost in Texas? Here are some basic costs you may need to consider:
- A simple cremation in Texas may cost under $600, but that depends on where you live in the state and the funeral home you choose. Also, funeral homes may charge over $20,000 for direct cremation in some cases.
- Some funeral homes may offer rental caskets for cremations, but an alternative container may cost you under $100.
- Urns can be as cheap as $49 or cost you around $740, but it depends on the material. Biodegradable urns tend to be the least expensive, and metal or themed urns will cost you at least $100-$224.
Below is a list of Texas funeral homes that include specific prices for cremation on their websites:
| Company | Locations | Simple Cremation | Cremation With Viewing or Memorial Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services | 913 N. Elm St., Weatherford, Texas 76086 | $2,490-$22,490 | $3,365-$23,365 |
| Harrell Funeral Home of Austin | 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, TX 78745 | $2,950 | $4,930 |
| King Tears Mortuary | 1300 E. 12th Street, Austin, TX 78702 | $995-$1,695 | $1,195-$1,895 |
| Legends Funeral Home | 101-B Centerpoint Rd., San Marcos, Texas 78666 | $795-$1,050 | $2,210-$2,560 |
| Lincoln Funeral Home | 2412 Little York Rd., Houston, TX 77093 | $1,995-$11,990 | $4,865-$5,930 |
| Robert Massie Funeral Home – San Angelo | 402 Rio Concho Dr., San Angelo, Texas 76093 | $2,010-$2,260 | $2,645-$2,810 |
| Vazquez Funeral Home | 750 Uvalde Rd., Houston TX 77055 | $1,995 | Does not specify |
| Wright’s Funeral Parlor | 1913 Junction Hwy, Kerrville, Texas 78028 | $1,450-$1,500 | $1,750-$1,800 |
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Note that a funeral home may add charges if you transport remains from out of state, from another funeral home, and if a body weighs over a certain amount.
Other Funeral Costs in Texas
Regardless of the funeral home you choose, you can expect to pay for the following services:
- Non-declinable funeral services. For a traditional funeral, you will pay at least $2,200 for services that include filing permits and overhead. Texas funeral homes often account for these costs with immediate burial, direct cremation, or specialized funeral packages.
- Body preparations. If a body only requires cosmetology and a wardrobe, these preparations may be the least expensive (under $100).
- Memorabilia and other merchandise. Of course, funeral homes may offer memorabilia like service programs, jewelry, and floral arrangements.
- Outer burial containers. Many cities and counties in Texas require families to protect caskets, so outer burial containers are an option. These may cost at least $850.
- Vaults. If you include this option instead of an outer burial container, you can expect to pay at least $1,000.
Below is a list of Texas companies that include their overall funeral costs for traditional burial or crematory services:
| Company | Locations | Complete Funeral Service With Burial | Full Cremation Funeral Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services | 913 N. Elm St., Weatherford, Texas 76086 | $12,910 | $5,965 |
| Harrell Funeral Home of Austin | 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, TX 78745 | $6,250 | $6,150 |
| King Tears Mortuary | 1300 E. 12th Street, Austin, TX 78702 | $1,840-$3,035 | $1,690-$2,490 |
| Legends Funeral Home | 101-B Centerpoint Rd., San Marcos, Texas 78666 | $4,705 | $4,778 |
| Lincoln Funeral Home | 2412 Little York Rd., Houston, TX 77093 | $7,300-$12,255 | $6,315-$7,535 |
| Rahma Funeral Home | 7810 Spring Valley Rd., Dallas, TX 75254 | $4,375 | Does not offer cremation |
| Robert Massie Funeral Home – San Angelo | 402 Rio Concho Dr., San Angelo, Texas 76093 | $4,780 | $3,780-$6,250 |
| Vazquez Funeral Home | 750 Uvalde Rd., Houston TX 77055 | $5,995 | $3,995 |
| Wright’s Funeral Parlor | 1913 Junction Hwy, Kerrville, Texas 78028 | $3,715 | $3,715 |
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Next, let’s see how funeral costs in Texas stack up to national figures.
How the Average Funeral Costs in Texas Compare to the National Average
How much does the average funeral cost in the United States? According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the median price of a funeral in the U.S. was $7,848 in 2021 — about $700 more than the average funeral cost in Texas. When you add a vault, the average national funeral cost is about $9,420.
| Funeral Expense | Average 2021 Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic services fee | $2,300 |
| Transfer of remains to a funeral home | $$350 |
| Embalming | $775 |
| Other preparations for the body | $275 |
| Facility use/staff labor for viewing the body | $450 |
| Facility use/staff labor for funeral ceremony | $515 |
| Hearse ride | $350 |
| Service car or van | $150 |
| Printed materials for a basic memorial package | $183 |
| Metal burial casket | $2,500 |
| Median funeral cost (with viewing and burial) | $7,848 |
| Vault | $1,572 |
| Total funeral costs with vault | $9,420 |
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In that same 2021 study, the NFDA estimated that the median cost of a cremation with a viewing was $6,970. Third-party cremation service costs amounted to $368 on average. A cremation casket was $1,310 in 2021, and an urn cost about $295 on average.
Solutions for Lowering Your Funeral Costs in Texas
If you can’t afford a traditional funeral service in Texas, here are some options you can consider:
- Donate your body to science. The institution that studies your body may cover the cremation cost.
- Hold a private funeral. Texas law does not prohibit families from burying their loved ones without a licensed funeral director. However, you will need a death certificate and statement of death to proceed. Also, check with your local zoning board and State Health Department.
- Set up a payable-on-death cash fund. These funds can help pay for funeral expenses, among other things.
- Purchase a life insurance policy. Who needs life insurance? People with shared debt purchase these policies because life insurance proceeds can help pay for a funeral.
Alternatively, you may consider getting some federal assistance. For example, the Federal Emergency Management Agency offers funeral aid of up to $9,000 for families whose loved ones died of complications from COVID-19. You must prove that the virus was the cause of death and provide the necessary documentation.
Beyond these options, it is advisable to save up funds for funeral expenses. It is best to avoid pre-paid funerals since many things can happen, like the funeral home of your choice going out of business, embezzlement, or fraud.
We hope that this guide about funeral costs in Texas has helped you with your funeral planning. For more information, contact any of the funeral homes we mentioned or find some reputable businesses on your own.
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