What is the average cost of a funeral in Texas today?
Texans are using the internet to compare prices and get more fair deals. So why not ensure we apply the same mentality to checking cremation costs? Traditional funerals are expensive. The average cost of a funeral service in Texas is $5,192*, and this does not include any cemetery fees. Adding cemetery expenses is likely to bring the full cost up to $7,000 – $9,000 for a ‘standard’ funeral service. More extravagant funerals can cost double this!
In reality, not many families can afford to pay thousands for a funeral service these days. This is a key reason why the cremation rate has increased so significantly in recent years. Choosing cremation dramatically reduces funeral expenses. In fact, opting for a simple direct cremation can reduce your funeral expense to less than $1,000 in most cities in Texas.
Direct cremation cost comparison in the top cities in Texas
To help families understand and compare cremation costs in Texas, here is a breakdown of direct cremation costs in cities across Texas.
| CITY | AVERAGE PRICE* | BEST PRICE (DFS) | CALL NOW - DFS |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUSTIN | $1,839 | $795 | (512) 253-1110 |
| ARLINGTON | $2,302 | $795 | (817) 369-5240 |
| COLLEGE STATION | $2,289 | $1,595 | (979) 314-3889 |
| ABILENE | $3,122 | $1,375 | (325) 246-6878 |
| DALLAS | $1,994 | $795 | (214) 380-4964 |
| EL PASO | $1,520 | $1,450 | (915) 201-2446 |
| FORT WORTH | $1,632 | $795 | (817) 369-5240 |
| HOUSTON | $2,094 | $749 | (713) 309-6059 |
| EAST TEXAS - Tyler | $2,433 | $825 | (903) 231-9833 |
| PLANO | $1,922 | $795 | (972) 332-0414 |
| SAN ANTONIO | $1,883 | $795 | (210) 460-1911 |
| WACO | $1,350 | $1,095 | (254) 221-6609 |
What is the average cost of cremation in Texas?
The average cost of a cremation can depend on the type of service. It is fair to say that the average price for a simple service is around $2,000 – $3,000. You can pay more for an elaborate funeral with a gathering or less for a basic cremation service.
Eliminating certain items from the funeral expenses, such as embalming, a casket, a grave liner, and a cemetery plot, does save you money on the full cost of a funeral with burial.
What is the least expensive cremation service?
Direct cremation is the least expensive option. It involves just cremation, with no additional services or ceremony. It is a simple, dignified cremation of the deceased with minimal fuss and at a minimal cost.
The cremated remains are returned to the next of kin after everything has been taken care of. A family can choose to hold a memorial service if they wish when they are ready.
To help you understand how cremation costs can (and do) vary considerably, we have compiled some data on cremation costs in the major cities across Texas. The table below provides a breakdown of the average direct cremation price vs. a low-cost direct cremation. As you can see, in many cities in Texas, a direct cremation service can be arranged for less than $1,000.
Are there extra fees added to a low-cost cremation service package?
The service charge for a direct cremation is listed on the funeral provider’s General Price List. It should include the funeral director’s basic services, the deceased’s collection and transfer, the legal paperwork’s completion, and the cremation. It usually includes a simple cardboard cremation container and a temporary urn.
The funeral director will pay third-party fees to the local county to obtain the death certificate and pay for any permit charges. These fees are added to the direct cremation service fee. Cremation permit fees vary by county but are generally between $10 and $40 (if a charge is made).
Death certificates cost $20.00 for the initial certificate and $3.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
Other possible additional charges would be:
- Residential collection
- Removal of a pace-maker
- Overweight surcharge (above 250 pounds)
- Family arrangement consultation
- Mailing of cremated remains
What Texas funeral legislation governs cremation arrangements?
Texas has a mandatory 48-hour wait period after death before a cremation can proceed. As cremation is such a final disposition and destroys all DNA, some strict codes and rules govern the cremation of human remains.
A ‘Cremation Authorization Form’ must be signed by the legal next of kin before the county coroner can issue a cremation permit.
Can you get a free cremation in Texas?
Unfortunately, very little in life or death is ‘free’! What is sometimes called a “free” cremation or “no-cost” cremation is a whole-body donation. Once the donation is performed, the remains are cremated free of charge. However, some costs are associated with transporting the deceased and obtaining death certificates.
Read more in this funeral planning guide for Texas.
Is there any financial assistance towards cremation expenses for families in Texas?
Local Texas counties manage their own budgets to assist needy families and take care of the needs of indigents. You should contact your local county’s social or human services department to inquire if any support is available.
Other organizations, charities, and church groups may offer some financial assistance to families struggling with funeral expenses. Arranging a basic direct cremation is the most economical option.
What happens if I cannot pay for a funeral?
If the deceased had no pre-paid funeral plan or life insurance, the immediate next of kin is responsible for paying the funeral bill. This can be very stressful if you lose a family member and become responsible for the funeral arrangements without any resources.
This resource on What to do if you cannot afford a funeral might help.
Do any cremation service providers offer discounts for hospice patients?
Yes, some cremation service providers offer a discount to hospice patients seeking a direct cremation. The discount is often based on the hospice’s relationship with the funeral director and the ease of arranging the collection and completing paperwork. This can reduce the time and manpower the funeral director needs to allocate to a case; therefore, he can offset this with a discount to a hospice cremation service.
How much does a cremation cost if the deceased is at the Medical Examiner’s morgue?
If the deceased is at the coroner’s office, you will need to make arrangements with a funeral service provider to collect the body when the coroner signs the release form. You will also need to authorize the funeral director to collect your loved one and transfer him or her into their care.
As most funeral directors deal with the coroner’s office on a regular basis, and the ME issues the authorization and permit to cremate, it can make the arrangements easier. For this reason, some funeral homes can offer a budget direct cremation when handling remains from the Medical Examiner.
* Average direct cremation prices data gathered from Funeralocity 2024. Low-cost direct cremation prices are obtained from DFS Memorials providers in Texas.
I have been researching and writing about the death care industry for the past fifteen years. End-of-life services and experiences are topics most people avoid thinking about until they must face them. My work provides comprehensive and independent resources for families, explaining the workings of the funeral industry, the laws governing funeral practices, and the death care trends that impact consumers. With a BA in Cultural Studies, I bring a unique perspective to analyzing cultural death care rituals, complemented by a career background in Business Management. The death care industry is undergoing significant changes, which I find fascinating. The shift towards cremation services and the emergence of sustainable alternatives like aquamation and human composting are of particular interest. I am also intrigued by how technology is reshaping the funeral planning process and experience. I write for US Funerals Online and DFS Memorials LLC, and contribute to various forums and publications within the death care industry.
