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.
Comparison of direct cremation costs in Houston, TX
In Houston, you can arrange a basic cremation for just $795. Several cremation service locations in Houston offer very low-cost direct cremation services. We have included below a comparison of 5 of the most affordable cremation providers in Houston to help you better understand and compare your choices.
DFS Memorials Partner Lovestrong Cremation Center – $795 (includes 50-mile service area radius)
Birdsong Cremations – $895 (Includes 25 mile radius)
Harris County Cremation – $920
Respectful Cremations – $995
Direct Cremations Houston – $995
Potential additional charges that can be incurred with a basic direct cremation package:
- Death certificate fees – $20 for the 1st copy and $3 for each extra copy.
Mailing fees are an additional charge if you need to make direct cremation arrangements from elsewhere than Houston. All arrangements can be made electronically by email.