Funeral Services
Discounted Funeral Services Package
In order to ease the burden of funeral planning, Indus Family Services has contracted with Cook-Walden Funeral Homes for a discounted service package with a standard set of services. Please click here to learn more.
Typical Funeral Costs
Funeral establishments are required to give current retail price information by telephone. By law, any consumer entering an establishment and making inquiries must be presented a general price list, which the customer may keep, itemizing the costs of funeral services and the merchandise for sale from a funeral director. These retail prices, appearing on a printed or typewritten list must specify at least the charges for the following items, provided they are available for purchase through the establishment:
- Forwarding or receiving remains, to or from another funeral home and a list of services provided for the stated price
- The price range for direction cremation
- The price range for immediate burial
- Embalming
- Other preparation of the body
- Use of facilities and staff for viewing, funeral ceremony, memorial service, and/or graveside service
- Hearses
- Limousines
- Caskets
- Outer burial containers, such as vaults, grave liners, and boxes. Such outer enclosures are not required by law, but may be required by the cemetery
Additionally, the general price list must include the following:
- Name, address and phone number of the establishment
- The effective date of the price list.
- Notice stating: “You may choose only the items you desire. If you are charged for items that you did not specifically request, we will explain the reason for the charges on the written memorandum. Please note that there may be charges for items such as cemetery fees, flowers and newspaper notices.”
After completing all funeral arrangements, you must be given a written funeral purchase agreement, signed by the funeral director who assisted you, which lists the items you selected from the general price list and the cost of each item.
The price of each casket must be stated and varies depending on the type. Caskets are not required by law, however, there may be cemetery or mausoleum restrictions regarding caskets and outer burial containers or vaults.
Prepaid Funeral Contracts
Prepaid funeral contracts are governed by Chapter 154 of the Texas Finance Code and are under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Banking. Texas law requires that sellers of prepaid funeral contracts have a permit issued by the Texas Department of Banking or be acting as an agent for a licensed permit holder. A permit holder may either sell trust-funded or insurance-funded prepaid funeral contracts. Under a trust-funded contract, purchaser funds are placed with a financial institution and with an insurance-funded contracts, purchaser funds are used to purchase an insurance policy.
Prepaid funeral contracts offer you the opportunity to fully consider your needs and wishes and control the cost and nature of your funeral services to be provided at a future date. Prepaid funeral contracts vary in terms, funding options, and coverage and should, like any other purchase involving a substantial amount of money, be reviewed carefully before execution.
With a prepaid funeral contract, you are entitled to receive all guaranteed items selected on the contracts at no additional charge, if the terms of the contract have been met. There may be additional charges for items that are not part of the prepaid contract or those cash advance items purchased as nonguaranteed items. These may include such things as opening and closing of the grave and death certificates. You should discuss with the permit holder the funeral services and merchandise that are not covered by your prepaid funeral contract.
Effective January 2010, permit holders are required to provide an informational brochure discussing prepaid funeral benefits contracts to all potential purchasers.
If you have additional questions regarding prepaid funerals, please contact:
Texas Department of Banking
Special Audit Division
2601 North Lamar Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78705-4294
(512) 475-1290
(877) 276-5554 (toll free)
(512) 475-1288 fax
Website: www.dob.texas.gov
The informational website for prepaid funeral benefits contracts:
If you have additional questions regarding an insurance policy to be issued in connection with a prepaid funeral contract, please contact:
Texas Department of Insurance
Consumer Help Line
P.O. Box 149104
Austin, Texas, 78714-9104
(512) 463-6515
(800) 252-3439
You may secure additional information regarding mortuary laws in the State of Texas by requesting a complete copy of the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 651, and the Commission Rules, by contacting the Texas Funeral Service Commission at P. O. Box 12217, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas, 78711, (512) 936-2474 or 1-888-667-4881, fax (512) 479-5064. Website: www.tfsc.state.tx.us
Who to contact if you have a complaint against a funeral director or a funeral establishment
First, discuss your problem with the funeral director and/or management of the funeral establishment. If you believe you were not treated fairly the funeral director should be given the opportunity to rectify your complaint. If this is not acceptable, you may provide the facts in writing to:
Texas Funeral Service Commission.
This is the licensing and regulatory agency for all funeral establishments, crematory establishments, certain cemeteries, funeral directors, and embalmers in the State of Texas. Complaints should specify the exact nature and circumstances of the complaint. You will be notified of the receipt of your complaint. Allegations are reviewed for a violation of Chapter 651, Texas Occupations Code. If there is not a violation of the Code, you will be notified in writing. Once a complaint is opened for investigation the complainant is notified every three (3) months until the complaint is resolved. Send complaints to the Texas Funeral Service Commission, P. O. Box 12217, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711. Enclose copies of all documents you may have received from the funeral establishment.
Embalming
Embalming is the use of chemicals, internally and externally, to disinfect and slow body decomposition.
Texas law does not require embalming. Most common carriers will require a body to be embalmed prior to shipping. The laws of the destination country or state will apply. Because of the rapid deterioration of a body after death, Texas law requires that bodies held for over 24 hours or in transit must be embalmed, refrigerated, or encased in a leak and odor proof container.
Donating Your Body
How to donate remains
Donation of human bodies to medical facilities can be made either directly to the facility, through a funeral establishment or by contacting the:
University of Texas Medical Branch
Willed-Body Program
301 University Blvd.
Route 0933
Galveston, Texas 77555-0933
(409) 772-1293
There is a set fee for donations, which is paid by the Anatomical Board. However, this may not cover the cost of any additional services selected that are provided by the funeral home.
Tissue donation can be made for the purpose of transplantation, research, or medical technology advancement. We recommend selecting a tissue procurement organization accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks.
You can change your mind about donating your body or your organs
Prior to death, a person can revoke his or her donation by destroying or canceling the instructions or by alternate instructions to the next of kin or the person designated in the written instructions.
Cremation
The law requires a cremation container, which is rigid for easy handling and made of combustible materials to be used for all cremations. Embalming and a casket are not required for cremation.
Caskets are constructed from various materials including steel, copper, bronze, and wood. There is no direct relationship between the features of the casket and the preservation of the body.
Obituary Information
Your provider can help you write a fitting tribute about your loved one to share. Here are the basics you can include:
- Your loved one’s full name
- Marital status and the surviving spouse’s name, if applicable. Children’s names
- Place of death
- Education
- Work History
- Personal achievements
- Temple affiliation, if applicable
- Organizations and memberships
- Hobbies or favorite vacation spots
- What made your loved one unique
- Ways your loved one impacted the people around them
- Names of other surviving relatives if you wish to include: including parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, grandparents, etc.
Helpful Contacts/Links
Medical Examiner – Surrounding Counties: Dial (512) 854-9599
Austin City Helpline: Dial 3-1-1 or (512) 974-2000
For Organ/Body Donation Form, visit organdonor.gov for more information.