Next Steps if Your loved one is at the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office in Houston, TX
If you need to make cremation arrangements for a family member who is currently in the care of the Medical Examiner, you need to firstly select a Cremation Provider and sign a Release Form. This gives your chosen funeral director the authority to collect your relative from the County morgue when the ME releases the body.
The Coroner will liaise with the next of kin and advise when the deceased is expected to be released into the care of a funeral home for cremation. The role of the Harris County Medical Examiner as governed by state law (Chapter 49.25 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure), is to determine the cause and manner of death.
Harris County Medical Examiners Office is located at 861 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 7703, and can be reached at 832-927-5000.
As the County Office also issues the cremation permit, this can often mean making cremation arrangements for a deceased person at the Medical Examiners can be expedited.
Guide to Financial Aid for Cremation Costs in Houston, TX
Consider Houston Charitable Organizations that support families in need. Several local charities and religious organizations in Houston offer financial support or discounted services for funeral or cremation expenses for families in need. Some organizations. to consider include:
The Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, 2900 Louisiana Street Houston, Texas 77006 Phone (713) 526-4611.
The Alexander Jewish Family Service, 4131 S Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77025. Phone (713) 667-9336
The Salvation Army of Houston, 1500 Austin, Houston, Texas 77002.
These organizations may provide direct financial support or work with funeral homes to offer discounted services for low-income families. For families facing financial hardship, these options may provide some assistance with part or the full cost of a cremation in Houston, TX.
Next Steps – If Your Loved One has Passed at a Medical Facility in Houston, TX
The majority of deaths happen in a medical or nursing facility. Be it a hospital, nursing home, or hospice. If your relative has passed away at a medical institution in Houston, DFS Memorials can help you connect with a local, affordable cremation provider who can make immediate arrangements to collect your loved one and transfer him or her into their care.
The next step is to inform the hospital that you consent to the release of your relative and that a collection and transfer is scheduled.
To help you, here is a list of hospitals in Houston, TX. This might not cover every facility, especially smaller or specialized centers, but an immediate collection can be arranged from these hospitals if you need an affordable cremation.
Central Houston:
Houston Methodist Hospital – 6565 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030Memorial
Hermann-Texas Medical Center – 6411 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030
Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center – 6720 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030
Texas Heart Institute at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center – 6770 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030
Northwest Houston:
Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital – 1635 North Loop W, Houston, TX 77008Houston Northwest Medical Center – 710 FM 1960 Rd W, Houston, TX 77090
Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital – 18220 TX-249, Houston, TX 77070
Southwest Houston:
West Chase Houston Hospital – 6011 W Sam Houston Pkwy S, Houston, TX 77072
Southeast Houston:
West Houston:
Meridian Hospital – 9430 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77055
Additional Hospitals serving the Houston area:
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center – 2002 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030
Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital – 5656 Kelley St, Houston, TX 77026
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital – 1635 North Loop W, Houston, TX 77008
Houston Orthopedic and Spine Hospital – 6445 Main St, Houston, TX 77030
Texas Orthopedic Hospital – 7401 S Main St, Houston, TX 77030
Select Specialty Hospital Houston (Medical Center) – 6441 Main St, Houston, TX 77030
Park Plaza Hospital – 1313 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004
Kindred Hospital Houston Medical Center – 6441 Main St, Houston, TX 77030
TIRR Memorial Hermann – 1333 Moursund St, Houston, TX 77030
Comparing Direct Cremation Costs in Houston, TX
Direct cremation prices in Greater Houston can, and will, vary. Depending on various factors, such as the cremation service provider chosen and what is included in the quoted direct cremation service package.
Here are some examples and comparisons of direct cremation prices in Houston.
DFS Memorials – Houston Partner: LoveStrong Cremation Center $795
Chapel of the Pines $895
BirdSong Cremations $895
Harris County Cremation $920
Carnes Funeral Home $1,495
Morales Funeral Home $1,495