What a funeral costs in Texas
NFDA doesn't publish funeral prices by state. Nationally, the median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial was $8,300 in 2023, and $6,280 for a funeral with viewing and cremation. Cemetery costs such as a plot, vault, and headstone are extra, and prices vary widely between funeral homes.
In Texas, about 49.8% of deaths resulted in cremation as of 2020. Source: NFDA 2025 Cremation & Burial Report, state table (final 2020 data)
Federal law (the FTC Funeral Rule) requires funeral homes to give you an itemized price list, so you can compare. Estimate your own total with our funeral cost calculator.
Consumer protections in Texas
If a life insurer licensed in Texas becomes insolvent, the Texas Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association covers up to $300,000 in death benefits and $100,000 in cash value per insured life. Source: Texas Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association FAQ
You have 10 days after receiving a new individual life insurance policy to review it and return it for a refund (TDI says Texas policies have a free-look period of at least 10 to 20 days; check your policy for its exact window.). Source: Texas Department of Insurance: Life Insurance consumer guide
Questions or complaints about an insurer or agent go to the Texas Department of Insurance (800-252-3439). Funeral homes are licensed by the Texas Funeral Service Commission.
Help paying for a funeral
Texas law requires each county's commissioners court to provide for the disposition of the body of a deceased person who could not pay (a pauper), under rules the county adopts; families should contact the county where the person died or lived. Source: Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 694.002
Veterans may qualify for VA burial allowances and a free burial in a national or state veterans cemetery — see benefits for Texas veterans. A small final expense policy is one way families make sure the rest is covered; learn how final expense insurance works and how guaranteed issue waiting periods work.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to my life insurance in Texas if the insurance company fails?
The Texas Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association protects Texas policyholders if a licensed insurer becomes insolvent, up to $300,000 in life insurance death benefits and $100,000 in cash value per insured life under state law. Coverage above those limits isn't protected.
See final expense optionsHow long do I have to cancel a new life insurance policy in Texas?
Texas gives you a free-look period of 10 days to review a new individual life insurance policy and return it for a refund. TDI says Texas policies have a free-look period of at least 10 to 20 days; check your policy for its exact window.. Check your policy for the exact terms.
See final expense optionsHow common is cremation in Texas?
About 49.8% of deaths in Texas resulted in cremation as of 2020, according to NFDA 2025 Cremation & Burial Report, state table (final 2020 data).
See final expense optionsWho regulates life insurance in Texas?
The Texas Department of Insurance licenses insurers and agents and handles consumer complaints; its consumer line is 800-252-3439. Funeral homes are licensed by the Texas Funeral Service Commission.
See final expense optionsSources
- Texas Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association FAQ
- Texas Department of Insurance: Life Insurance consumer guide
- NFDA 2025 Cremation & Burial Report, state table (final 2020 data)
- National Funeral Directors Association — statistics
- Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 694.002
- Texas Department of Insurance