When a loved one passes away, choosing a funeral home is one of the most important—and personal—decisions a family will make. But with so many options out there, how do you really know who you’re dealing with?
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Before signing any contracts or making arrangements, it’s worth taking a few minutes to look into the funeral home itself. Are they licensed? Have they had complaints? Are they handling services professionally?
Here’s how to get the answers:
Start with the Funeral Home’s Website
Most funeral homes today maintain a website where you can find obituaries, service information, and even staff bios. This can give you a feel for how they operate and how transparent they are about their team and services. You should see clear contact information, a physical address, and ideally a section about the home’s history and values.
Verify Their License with the State
This step is crucial: make sure the funeral home and funeral director are licensed in Texas.
You can do that through the Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC) website. Their search tool lets you look up funeral homes and directors by name, city, or license number: tfsc.texas.gov
This will tell you:
- If they’re actively licensed
- When the license was issued and when it expires
- If there’s been any disciplinary action
If you’re working with someone who isn’t licensed, or whose license has expired, that’s a red flag.
Check for Complaints or Disciplinary Records
The TFSC also maintains public records of any complaints or disciplinary actions taken against a funeral home or director. This includes things like:
- Mishandling remains
- Pricing violations
- Unethical behavior
- Failing to follow family wishes
If there are serious or repeated complaints, you’ll see them listed in the enforcement section of their website. Don’t be afraid to call the commission directly and ask questions if something doesn’t sit right with you.
Ask About Third-Party Reviews
Some funeral homes are reviewed on sites like Yelp, Google, or even Facebook. While not every review is fair or accurate, it’s helpful to look for patterns: Are families saying they were treated with care and respect? Did the funeral home communicate clearly and honor their wishes?
If a funeral home has no reviews anywhere—or hides them—that’s worth pausing over.
Get a General Price List (GPL)
Under the Federal Trade Commission’s “Funeral Rule,” funeral homes are required to give you a General Price List if you ask for one. This should include:
- All services and products offered
- Itemized prices
- Clear descriptions
If they hesitate to share pricing or try to push expensive packages without explanation, consider it a warning sign.
Medical Examiner and Death Records (If Needed)
If your loved one’s death was unexpected or involved a Medical Examiner case (especially in Harris County), you can check the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences Case Status Tool to confirm when the funeral home received the body or report. This can be useful for understanding any delays or miscommunication.
Bottom Line: You deserve to know who you’re trusting with your loved one’s final arrangements. A licensed, transparent, and well-reviewed funeral home will not hesitate to answer your questions, provide pricing, or walk you through their process.
Doing a little research ahead of time can prevent added stress during an already emotional time—and help ensure your loved one is honored with the dignity they deserve.
