A Guide to Cremation Costs in Texas 2023

Click Here for Low-cost Cremation Providers by City in Texas

What is the average cost of a funeral in Texas today?

Texans are turning to 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 out thousands for a funeral service these days.  A key reason why the cremation rate has increased so significantly in recent years. Choosing cremation reduces funeral expenses dramatically.  In fact, opting for a simple direct cremation can reduce your funeral expense to less than $1,000 in most cities in Texas.

What is the average cost of cremation in Texas?

Quoting the average cost of a cremation can depend on the type of cremation service.  It is fair to say that the average price for a cremation service is around $2,000 – $3,000 for a simple service.  You can pay more for an elaborate cremation funeral with a gathering.  Or you can pay less for just a basic cremation service.

As you can eliminate certain items from the funeral expenses, such as embalming, a casket, a grave liner, and a cemetery plot – this 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 cremation option.  This is when just cremation is carried out, 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.

Direct cremation cost comparison in the 16 top cities in Texas

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 most areas, a direct cremation service can be arranged for less than $1,000.

City

Average direct cremation cost*

Low cost direct cremation

Immediate help

(DFS Memorials)

Abilene

$2,025

$1,125

 

Amarillo

$1,566

$975

 

Austin

$2,003

$795

(512) 253-1110

Brownsville

$1,426

$795

 

College Station

$2,025

$775

(979) 314-3889

Corpus Christi

$2,218

$1,175

(361) 208-0765

Dallas

$1,833

$795

(214) 380-4964

East Texas

$2,338

$795

 

El Paso

$2,230

$1,850

(915) 201-2446

Fort Worth

$1,819

$795

(817) 369-5240

Houston

$2,296

$749

(713) 309-6059

Laredo

$1,855

$995

 

Midland-Odessa

$2,285

$1,195

 

McAllen

$2,101

$995

 

San Antonio

$2,039

$795

(210) 460-1911

Waco

$1,483

$1,095

(254) 221-6609

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. This should include the basic services of the funeral director, collection and transfer of the deceased, completing the legal paperwork, and conducting 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 are third-party fees that are added to the direct cremation service fee.  Cremation permit fees vary by county but are generally between $10 – $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 referred to as a “free” cremation or “no-cost” cremation is actually 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 funeral expenses for families with no money?

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 contribution to help families who are struggling with funeral expenses.  Arranging a basic direct cremation is the most economical option.

What happens if I cannot pay for a funeral?

The responsibility to pay the funeral bill falls to the immediate next of kin if the deceased had no pre-paid funeral plan or life insurance.  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 do offer a discount to hospice patients seeking a direct cremation.  A discount is often based on the relationship with the hospice 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 need to give authorization to 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 2022.  Low-cost direct cremation prices are obtained from DFS Memorials providers in Texas.

 

Low-cost simple cremation service $695 – Jonesboro, AR

We aim to help families that want “just a simple cremation” in the Northeast Arkansas area.

We understand that today many families just want a simple and affordable funeral alternative.

A simple cremation, otherwise known as a direct cremation, can be conducted for as little as $695. Saving families thousands on funeral costs.

What is a direct cremation?

A direct cremation is when the deceased is cremated with no ceremony or services performed by the funeral home.  The cremation is conducted, and then the cremated remains are returned to the family.  This can enable a family to arrange a memorial service at a more convenient time and place. (And also save on the cost of a service).

To learn more about cremation service options, visit our Complete Guide to Everything About Cremation Services.

How much is a direct cremation service in Jonesboro?

A direct cremation service costs $695. Additional fees may apply for a residential collection, removing a pacemaker, or an oversize cremation.  County fees are third-party fees and include the cost of death certificates and charges for cremation permits where applicable.

What laws do you need to consider when arranging a cremation service?

As cremation is a very final disposition, there are strict rules that funeral providers adhere to.  The legal next of kin must all sign the Cremation Authorization Form to permit a cremation to be conducted. There is generally a mandatory wait period after the death of 24-48 hours before a cremation can be conducted.

Although, it generally takes a few days anyway to file for the death certificate and obtain a cremation permit.

Check out this Ultimate Guide to Cremation Services 2023 for more information about cremation.

Is there any assistance with funeral expenses?

Unfortunately, families have very limited financial assistance to help with funeral expenses.  The county is responsible for indigent funerals.  But not many counties provide funds to help low-income families and those struggling, as there was no life insurance or provision.

Social Security does offer a $255 lump-sum death benefit payment (if the deceased qualifies), and the funeral home will usually help you claim this.

What can we do with the cremated remains?

You have several options.  You can arrange to inter the cremated remains in a niche or inter them into an existing gravesite.  However, both of these options will cost upwards of $500 in cemetery charges.

You can opt to keep the ashes at home in a cremation urn or have the ashes made into a memorial keepsake.  Scattering ashes is also becoming a popular choice.  Although you must bear in mind that this is a very final dispersing of your loved ones’ remains, consider it carefully.

Call us today at (870) 619-4828 if you need immediate assistance with cremation arrangements. Or feel free to call if you have further questions about cremation services.  We are here to help in these difficult times.

What is a direct cremation service? A simple and affordable alternative

direct-cremation-servicesIt is common knowledge that we are experiencing a cremation trend in the United States but maybe not as readily acknowledged that there has also been a growing demand for direct cremation services.

A direct cremation is a simple cremation without any ceremony or additional services being offered by the funeral services provider.

Some funeral service providers refer to it as a “direct cremation with no ceremonial services”.  The deceased is collected from the place of death, transferred to a crematory and/or funeral home, all the legal documentation is completed and then the deceased is cremated and the cremated remains returned directly to the family.

The growing demand for this type of cremation service is largely due to the need for more affordable and simple disposition services.  More families either cannot afford an expensive funeral service, or simply do not want to spend unnecessarily on funeral costs.  Aside from the cost factor, more families do not want fussy traditional funeral rituals and more families are dispersed than living together in a state or city, so a simple cremation can provide an effective and efficient means to take care of the remains of a loved one.

Which funeral service providers offer direct cremation services?

I believe it is fair to say that nearly all funeral service locations offer a “direct cremation” service on their General Price List.  It is often towards the bottom of the price list.  It can be the lowest cost cremation service on a price list as it involves the most minimal services from the funeral location.  Historically it has not been promoted as a service offering as many funeral directors feel it does not reflect the level of service they would prefer to offer a family.  And, of course, there is not the same level of profit in a direct cremation!

The funeral profession, in the main, still feel that we need the ritual of a funeral service in order to have closure on a death.  Although I can acknowledge that this is very important to some individuals, some families today do not feel that an immediate ritual is necessary.

Some funeral providers have opted to focus on cremation, and sometimes indeed direct cremation, as the core of their funeral businesses.  These providers will clearly promote their direct cremation packages and prices.

Independent Cremation Societies have emerged offering a variety of cremation services, including direct cremation.  Service Corporation International has its cremation brands with National Cremation and Neptune Society.  A number of online cremation networks or portals have emerged that help you arrange a direct cremation online at a lower cost.  These vary between networks of independent funeral homes such as DFS Memorials, Parting.com and Cremation.com who all openly disclose the funeral homes that participate in their network and direct you immediately to the local funeral home.

In difference to these networks there are also online portals trying to capitalize on the opportunity to resell cremation services into funeral businesses at a cost and not disclosing which funeral company you would be dealing with.  Heritage Cremation Provider, Legacy Cremation Services and Simple Cremation Online are examples of such portals.

Direct cremation is going to provide the simplest and most economical disposition method for those who either do not want any services, or cannot afford services.   As this market grows there will be more and more competition between funeral service providers, and it will be imperative to ensure you compare prices and inclusive services and check exactly WHO you are dealing with.