This funeral and cremation planning guide will answer some key questions you will have if faced with the task of making funeral arrangements. The following FAQs about cremation costs and funeral prices in the Fort Worth area, state funeral laws, and other funeral/cremation considerations have been compiled to help you know where to start when making arrangements.
Direct Cremation $845 Call now (817) 369-5240
First call: What to do when a death occurs
When a death occurs, your first call will be to select a funeral home to handle funeral arrangements and transfer the deceased into their care. Most deaths occur in a medical facility, where the deceased can be held for a short period in the hospital morgue if necessary.
Give yourself time to select the right funeral service provider for your needs, and avoid feeling rushed to make a decision immediately.
How to choose a funeral home or cremation service provider in Fort Worth?
If your loved one had no funeral plan, and you have no prior experience with a funeral home, this will be the first decision to make. There are around 27 funeral service providers in Fort Worth.
If you plan to hold a funeral ceremony, the funeral home’s physical location will likely be an important consideration. Also, if you are working toward a specific budget for the funeral, you will likely want to compare funeral prices before selecting a suitable funeral home.
Direct cremation service $845 Call (817) 369-5240
What are the funeral service or cremation service options in Fort Worth?
A range of funeral service providers serve the Fort Worth area, as mentioned above. Therefore, you can arrange anything from a full-service traditional funeral to a simple direct cremation service.
You will need to decide if you want a traditional funeral, something more modern like a life celebration service, or if you want to consider cremation as a more affordable option.
Read on to learn more about direct cremation and why it is your most affordable option.
What is the average cost of a funeral service in Fort Worth?
According to a recent survey, the average cost for an adult funeral is $7,848 (NFDA 2021). This is based on the most commonly selected items for a traditional funeral, including a casket and vault. However, it does not include cemetery costs.
A grave space, a grave marker, and opening/closing the grave can easily cost another $1,500 to $2,500. Therefore, a typical traditional funeral and burial costs at least $9,000.
How much does a cremation cost in Fort Worth?
Cremation costs are often difficult to quote, as they depend on the cremation service you choose. Whether you opt for a cremation with a traditional service or a direct cremation without a service.
Cremation is a cheaper alternative to a traditional funeral, but a cremation with a memorial service will still cost upwards of $3,000, with an average cost of around $3,500 in the Fort Worth area.
A simple cremation service with no ceremony is called a “direct cremation” in the funeral industry. A direct cremation can be arranged for just $845 in Fort Worth.
This is the most economical funeral service arrangement available to families. However, the cost of a simple cremation can still vary among funeral service providers in Fort Worth and is likely to range from $1,000 to $2,000 with most providers.
Therefore, how much your cremation will cost will largely depend upon what type of cremation service you select and which provider you opt to conduct the service.
It is always a good idea to check what is included in a low-cost direct cremation package to ensure there are no hidden fees. Sometimes what appears low-cost can have additional fees added to the full package price.
County fees are generally ‘third-party’ additional charges –such as death certificates and cremation permits. However, some affordable direct cremation packages may include a death certificate and cremation permit fee.
Extra charges that can be incurred with a budget direct cremation include fees for a residential collection, if the deceased weighs over 300 pounds, and if a pacemaker needs to be removed prior to cremation.
What legal issues should I understand when arranging a funeral in Texas?
If the deceased did not have a paid-for funeral plan in place, the responsibility for arranging and paying for the funeral falls on the legal next of kin. Texas law prohibits cremating any dead human body within 48 hours after death.
A body cannot be cremated immediately following death without a waiver. Only the County Medical Examiner or a Justice of the Peace may waive this time requirement. After the mandatory waiting period, cremation may proceed. The legal next of kin must sign a cremation authorization form, and a cremation permit will be issued.
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Cremation 2023 for further reading about Cremation Services.
How do I apply for a Death Certificate in Fort Worth?
The funeral director will generally file for the death certificate for you and will ask how many copies you require. The first death certificate costs $20.00. Each additional copy (ordered at the same time) is charged at $3.00.
You can request additional copies from Vital Records at a later date if you are a relative of the deceased or have a financial concern in their estate.
Who is responsible for paying for a funeral?
If the deceased did not pre-arrange and pre-pay for a funeral plan, then the responsibility for paying for a funeral falls to the immediate next of kin. This can, understandably, be quite a burden for many people, and this is why more seniors today are considering setting up simple cremation arrangements.
Pre-planning can be a simple and affordable option, giving families peace of mind for when the time comes.
Be aware that whoever signs the funeral contract with the funeral home is legally responsible for paying the funeral bill.
If you are interested in pre-arranging a simple cremation plan, contact your local DFS Memorials location at (817) 369-5240.
What happens if the deceased is at the County Medical Examiner’s?
If the death occurred outside of a medical facility, was an accident, or was unexplained, the body will be transferred to the Medical Examiner’s office. It is the responsibility of the coroner to determine the cause of death before a death certificate can be issued. You will need to arrange for a funeral home to collect your loved one once the coroner releases the body.
Only a licensed funeral director can transport the deceased from the ME’s morgue, and the next of kin will need to sign a release form for the Medical Examiner to release the body into the care of a funeral home.
The Medical Examiner will issue the death certificate and permit to cremate once they release the body. If you have further questions about identifying the body and making arrangements for the transfer of the deceased, you can contact the Chief Medical Examiner for Fort Worth at 817-920-5700. Alternatively, you can find them at:
Tarrant County Medical Examiner
200 Feliks Gwozdz Pl,
Fort Worth, TX 76104
How do I prepare if my loved one is in hospice care?
If your loved one is in hospice care, and the support staff has advised you to prepare for his or her passing, it can help to have provisional arrangements in place. This is so that when the time comes, the hospice can immediately contact the funeral service provider and arrange the transfer of your loved one into their care.
If you contact a funeral home ahead of time, you can have some of the preparations in place, which will alleviate some of the stress of making arrangements on short notice. This also means the hospice knows who to call, and that the authorizations and other legal documentation can be prepared in advance.
What help with funeral expenses is there for low-income or uninsured families?
This is a common question as more families find themselves unable to pay for funeral expenses. Unfortunately, there is very limited public or state assistance for funeral costs. The state takes care of indigent deaths (as is their responsibility), but a pauper burial or cremation does this.
Social Security offers a $255 death benefit payment (if qualifying), and the funeral director will be able to assist you with claiming this.
You may also find it useful to read our article on What are your options on how to pay for a funeral or cremation? It provides more information on how you can raise funds to cover funeral expenses.
What can I legally do with the cremated remains? Laws for scattering ashes in Fort Worth, Texas
According to Texas Health & Safety Code § 716.304, cremated remains may be stored in a niche, crypt, grave, or container at home. Texas law also allows for the scattering of cremation ashes on “uninhabited public land, a public waterway or sea, or on the private property of a consenting owner.” Only biodegradable containers may be used if the ashes are to remain submerged or buried.
For inland waterway scattering, you may need a permit from the state agency that manages the waterway under the Clean Water Act.
EPA Region 6 Main Office
1201 Elm Street, Suite 500
Dallas, Texas 75270
Phone (214) 665-2760
I want to pre-plan a simple cremation. What is the best way to set up a cremation plan in Fort Worth?
You can make pre-arrangements with a funeral home and/or crematory. The terms and payment plans may differ depending on your requirements and age. And whether you make payment in full at the time of purchasing your pre-need plan or opt to arrange a payment plan.
More cremation providers are now offering online arrangement services, so all this can be done from the comfort of your own home. Pre-planning can provide you with funeral service coverage that gives you and your family peace of mind, reducing the stress of making last-minute funeral arrangements after a loved one has passed.
To discuss your options for pre-planning a simple cremation in Fort Worth, contact your local provider at (817) 369-5240.
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Arranging a green burial in Fort Worth
In a recent survey, the National Funeral Directors Association found that 72% of funeral homes reported an increase in families’ interest in green burial. At present, families typically have 2 options – traditional burial or cremation. However, a ‘natural’ green burial is less expensive than a traditional burial and more environmentally friendly than a cremation. Typically, a green funeral will cost between $3,000 and $5,000.
There are currently about 6 cemeteries in Texas offering green burial options. Details can be found in our Green Burials Directory.
We also have a Guide to Green Burial in Texas that includes information on funeral service providers offering green funeral services and how to arrange an affordable natural burial in Texas for under $1,000.
Can I arrange a no-cost cremation in Fort Worth?
A “no-cost” cremation typically refers to a whole-body donation program in which the deceased’s remains are cremated free of charge after donation. If you wish to donate your body to science in Texas, Texas Tech University’s Health Sciences Center has a Willed Body program. More details, including a Donation form, can be found on their website.
For more information on whole-body donation, visit our Body Donation page.
Do I need a casket for a cremation service in Fort Worth?
No, Texas has no requirement (or law) that stipulates a casket is required for a cremation service. A cremation is usually conducted using a simple reinforced cardboard container. However, renting a casket is possible if you wish to have a service before the cremation. This will help you save on funeral costs, as caskets can be a significant expense for a traditional funeral and burial.
I have questions or concerns about arranging a funeral in Fort Worth. Where can I find help?
You can contact our DFS Memorials, an affordable funeral service provider in Fort Worth, with any questions you have. If you have a complaint against a funeral director or funeral establishment, you should first attempt to resolve it directly with the funeral home concerned. If you do not reach a satisfactory resolution, you can contact the Texas Funeral Service Commission. A formal complaint against a funeral establishment must be put in writing to them and include copies of all documentation from the funeral home.
Texas Funeral Service Commission
P.O. Box 12217
Capitol Station
Austin Texas 78711
Feel free to contact us at US Funerals Online, and we will do our best to help you with any further questions about arranging a funeral or cremation service.
Additional Resource: Guide to Cremation Costs, Services, and Laws in Texas
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