How much does a funeral cost in Texas?

In the US, a traditional funeral can cost anywhere between $7,000 and $12,000 and up, once you factor in basic service fees, transportation, casket, embalming, viewing and burial. The average cost of a Texas funeral sits on the lower end of that average, at $6,933. And, there are ways to cover this expense so your loved ones aren’t left with a financial burden after you pass.

Average funeral costs with burial in Texas

In Texas, the average cost of a funeral with services and burial is $6,933, which sits at the lower end of the national average. Here’s a breakdown of the different costs that make up a typical burial funeral in Texas.

Average cost of a funeral with burial in Texas

The government’s checklist for funeral pricing can guide you through what purchases you’ll need to make. Be sure to get quotes from multiple funeral homes and remember to ask for their general price list, as all funeral homes must publish this by law.

Average funeral costs with cremation in Texas

An average funeral with cremation and services in Texas is $4,688. An urn will cost an extra $250, on average. Added together, the average cost of a funeral with cremation is $4,938, but it’s still significantly less than a traditional funeral.

Another option is direct cremation, where no service is performed. Instead, your loved one is taken directly from the hospital or home to the crematory. If you take the time to research, you can often find direct cremation services for under $1,000.

Average cost of a funeral with cremation in Texas

Other funeral costs you may have to pay

Keep in mind that the average funeral costs listed above do not include the following items:

• Headstone or grave marker. Grave markers can cost anywhere between $199 for simple headstones to over $10,000 for more complex monuments and statues.
• Burial plot. Burial plots are not included in the cost of a funeral and typically cost $1,000 to $4,000 or more depending on the city and if it’s a private or public cemetery.
• Flowers. Memorial floral wreaths or casket decorations are extra, so you’ll need to factor these costs in as well.

How to pay for a funeral in Texas

Deciding on your funeral payment options in advance can make paying for a funeral easier and less burdensome for those left behind.The easiest way to make sure your expenses are covered is to buy a life insurance policy to cover funeral and burial costs.

Options for paying for your own funeral:

• Life insurance. If your life insurance policy covers funerals, your family could submit a claim to the carrier and use the benefit to help cover funeral costs. With this option, benefits are typically dispersed 10 to 60 days after death.
• Burial (final expense) insurance. Burial insurance is used to cover funeral expenses. But unlike life insurance, burial insurance is often cheaper than life insurance, doesn’t require a medical exam and funds are paid out immediately after death.
• Pre-need funeral insurance. If the funeral home has a permit issued by the Texas Department of Banking to allow for “prepaid funeral merchandise and services,” you can put down money to cover costs early.
• Pre-need funeral plan. This is a prepayment to a funeral home that covers the cost of a funeral. Keep in mind that you’re tied to a specific funeral home with this option and if the business goes under, you could lose your money.
• Payable on death (POD) account. A POD account is used in estate planning to hold funds that are paid to beneficiaries when you pass away. A POD ensures money is passed directly to your beneficiaries after death.
• Savings account. Instead of paying for insurance premiums or giving money to a funeral home, you can put a set amount into a savings account every month.

Options for paying for a loved one’s funeral:

• The deceased’s estate. According to Texas law, an estate’s assets must pay funeral expenses and final medical costs before any other claims are made. However, there’s a cap of $15,000 and the expenses must be approved by a court.
• Social security. If the deceased person paid Social Security taxes while working, a lump-sum benefit of $255 may be awarded to the spouse and any children left behind. Though it can’t be paid directly to a funeral home, you can use the money to help cover costs.
• Out of pocket. This option involves dipping into savings or using a credit card. If this creates an overwhelming financial burden, consider reaching out to family members for support.
• Funeral loans. Borrowing money should be a last resort, though it can help in a pinch. Funeral loans offer quick cash and allow you to pay off costs over time instead of all at once.

Does Texas have funeral assistance programs?

Texas doesn’t offer state-funded financial aid for funerals, but its counties and cities often do. A good place to start is by calling your local Health Services Department to see what information they have.

Other options you can look into:

• Your local county office. Some Texas counties help cover expenses for low-income families. For example, Travis County provides financial assistance to households that have been at or below the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines for at least 30 days.
• Texas’s Burial or Cremation Assistance Registry. This organization provides a list of funeral homes and cemeteries that offer low-cost or free funeral solutions. Your physician may also have this information on hand.
• Religious organizations. Check if your church or place of worship offers assistance for burial and last rights. Catholic Charities is a statewide nonprofit that may help. Otherwise, the Salvation Army or United Way could refer you to an organization for aid.

Other funeral assistance programs include:

• Veterans Affairs. The VA offers up to $300 in reimbursement for non-service-related deaths, and will contribute $2,000 for a service-related death. Contact the VA to see if your situation qualifies.
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. This foundation offers interest-free loans to dependents of former Navy and Marine personnel.
• FEMA. Eligible applicants may receive up to $9,000 for a COVID-19 related funeral for which they’re responsible and that occurred in a covered area.

Note that if funds are simply not available to pay for a funeral, the family member handling the death can sign a release form with the coroner that states you aren’t able to pay for it. This puts the coroner in charge of either burying or cremating the body.

Funeral cost compensation for crime victims

If the deceased person was the victim of a crime, the Texas government will reimburse individuals who pay for the funeral up to $6,500, including costs associated with:

• Funeral and burial services.
• Flowers.
• Caskets and urns.
• Grave markers.
• Transporting the deceased for a maximum of 50 miles.

Compare burial insurance policies in Texas

See how burial insurers stack up. Tap the Compare box to see up to four companies side by side.

Bottom line

Funeral costs in Texas are expensive, but there are ways to help alleviate the financial burden. From life insurance to burial insurance to community resources, you often don’t need to pay full cost or out of pocket for a funeral in Texas.