Updates

Bereavement Support Funeral and Burial Arrangements

Planning a funeral for your loved one can feel overwhelming, painful, and confusing. The information below is intended to guide you through the process of making funeral arrangements and exploring the options available to you, helping you choose what feels right for your family.

How Do You Choose a Funeral Home?

If you don’t have a funeral home in mind, you can select any funeral home near the area where your loved one’s death occurred. If you need assistance, ask your primary social worker for a list of funeral homes they’ve worked with before.

If you wish to have funeral services outside the city or state, you may need to arrange transportation. Please see the section on transporting the body of your loved one for more information.

When to Contact Funeral Homes

You can start calling funeral homes either before or after your loved one’s death. It may be helpful to ask a friend or family member to call funeral homes on your behalf.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Funeral Home

If you’re unsure of what to ask when choosing a funeral home, tell them the age of your loved one and that you’re seeking information about the services they offer. Here are some helpful questions to ask:

For Burial:

  • What is the cost of a burial at your funeral home?
  • Does this price include embalming, a casket, and the cost of dressing my loved one in an outfit of my choosing?
  • Do you offer funeral ceremonies? Can you provide an open or closed casket service?
  • Once my loved one is in your care, how long will it take before they’re ready for the funeral service?
  • If I want the ceremony at a church, mosque, temple, or another location, what is the cost for transporting the body to and from the ceremony?
  • Which burial plots do you work with?

For Cremation:

  • What is the cost of cremation at your funeral home?
  • Do you provide an urn for the ashes? How much does an urn cost?
  • Do you offer funeral ceremonies?
  • If I live out of town and need the ashes mailed to me, what is the shipping cost?
  • How quickly will the cremation be completed?

What Information Do You Need to Provide to the Funeral Home?

When making funeral arrangements, you will need to provide the following information about your loved one:

  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Occupation (if applicable)
  • Social security number (if one has been issued)
  • Residence/address
  • Spouse’s maiden name (if applicable)
  • Father’s name and mother’s maiden name
  • Place of burial
  • Selected funeral home

How Much Will Your Loved One’s Funeral Cost?

The cost of a funeral varies based on the type of services selected. Many funeral homes offer payment plans if the family cannot pay in full upfront. Factors that influence funeral costs include:

  • Transporting your loved one from Texas Children’s Hospital to the funeral home
    • If the funeral is in another city, state, or country, additional legal and financial considerations may apply.
  • Embalming (optional, unless transporting your loved one)
  • Casket and headstone/marker for burial, or urn/container for cremation (optional)
  • Use of funeral home facilities for viewing, ceremony, wake, or other services
  • Hearse to transport the casket to the funeral home, church, and cemetery
  • Special services provided by the funeral home staff, including:
    • Obituary for the newspaper
    • Printed funeral programs
    • Personalized prayer cards

What If You Cannot Afford a Funeral or Need Financial Assistance?

Funerals can be costly, and there may be assistance available. Please contact your primary social worker to discuss options for funeral and burial assistance. You can reach the Social Work Department at (832) 824-1570.

Some funeral homes offer payment options for families, and the Harris County Community Services Department provides bereavement services to families who meet certain criteria.

What Are the Burial and Cremation Options?

Burial and cremation costs are separate from the funeral costs. Cremation is typically less expensive than burial.

For Burial:

The physical remains are placed in the ground in a cemetery or in a mausoleum vault above ground. You will need to select a casket, with costs varying based on materials and options. You may also choose an open-casket or closed-casket ceremony.

For Cremation: 

The remains are reduced to ashes and returned in an urn or special container. The ashes can be kept in the container, scattered in a meaningful location, buried, or made into a keepsake.

A 48-hour waiting period is required by Texas law before cremation. This waiting period may be waived in certain cases to respect religious customs, as long as the death was from natural causes. Please inform the medical team of your wishes. Each state has its own guidelines.

Does Burial or Cremation Align with My Faith Practices?

It’s important to speak with your spiritual leader to ensure that burial or cremation aligns with your faith practices. Hospital chaplains are also available to assist with any religious or cultural concerns related to death, burial, or cremation.

Is the Texas Children’s Hospital Chapel Available for Memorial Services?

Yes, the Texas Children’s Hospital chapel is available for private memorial services, subject to availability. Please contact the Spiritual Care Department at 832-824-7223 to reserve the chapel. The chapel accommodates small, intimate gatherings, with seating for about 30 people.

Due to the size and location of the chapel, caskets cannot be present. However, an urn with your loved one’s remains may be brought into the chapel if desired. A staff chaplain will help coordinate with your clergy to make arrangements.