Frequently Asked Questions About Funerals*
Trevino Funeral Home
Beeville, Texas
401 W. Springer
Beeville, TX 78102
361-358-1660

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What can be done prior to death occurring?

Record your wishes, advise family members and even pre-plan with your funeral director.

What should one do when a death occurs?

Arrangements for disposition of the deceased generally can be made by a spouse, next of kin or legal representative.

The normal sequence of events for handling a death is as follows:

1. Contact law enforcement official if the death was unattended.
2. Death must be pronounced by a coroner, medical examiner or attending physician.
3. Contact relatives.
4. Locate deceased's letter of direction, prepaid funeral contract, insurance policy or will.
5. Contact funeral director.
6. When a death occurs out of state or country it is advisable that you immediately contact a funeral director in your local area who will know the requirements that must be met, as well as help prevent duplication of service costs.

What are the available methods of disposition?

Human remains can be buried, entombed, cremated, or donated for scientific study.

What is embalming and its purpose?

Embalming is the use of chemicals, internally and externally, to disinfect and temporarily preserve the body for open casket viewing and/or for the removal of the body to distant destinations.

Does the law require that a dead human body be embalmed?

No, Texas law does not require embalming at any time. Most common carriers will require that a body be embalmed prior to shipping and the laws of the destination state will apply. Because of the rapid deterioration of a body after death, Texas Health Services Rules require that bodies held for over 24 hours or in transit must be embalmed, refrigerated, or encased in a leak and odor proof container.

Can a body be cremated immediately following death?

Texas law prohibits cremating any dead human body within 48 hours after death. This time requirement may be waived in writing by the County Medical Examiner or a Justice of the Peace in counties without Medical Examiners.

What is done with cremated remains?

Cremated remains may be disposed of in a umber of ways: privately scattered, scattered at sea, scattered by airplane in unpopulated areas, interred in a cemetery, placed in a niche in a columbarium, or kept by the family in their home.

How do people select a funeral director?

Almost always by reputation or availability. The way a funeral director serves families is readily known in most communities. If you need a funeral director and for some reason do not know one, the reference of a relative or friend who has been served satisfactorily is one wise way to make a decision. The best way is to know in advance whom you would select and then visit the funeral home, examine the facilities and ask about prices and understand the ways in which your needs will be served. Consider all alternatives and consult several different firms/organizations to compare costs. After determining where to call, be prepared to ask questions concerning all aspects of funeral arrangements.
 

Prior to making funeral arrangements, you will need the following information:
1. Full name of deceased
2. Occupation
3. Date of birth
4. Place of birth
5. Social security number
6. Residence address
7. Spouse's name (maiden name)
8. Father's name, mother's maiden name
9. Place of burial or disposition
10. Discharge papers, if veteran

How may I learn about funeral costs?

Telephone Inquiries:
Funeral Establishments are required to give current retail price information by telephone.

Obtaining Information:
You may want to follow up with a visit to the establishment. Any consumer entering an establishment and making inquiries is entitled to the retail price list. By law, you must be presented a retail price list itemizing the costs of funeral services and the merchandise for sale from a funeral director. These retail prices, appearing in a printed or typewritten list which the customer may keep, must specify at least the charges for the following items, provided they are available for purchase through the establishment:

1. Forwarding or receiving remains, to or from another funeral home and a list of services provided for the stated price
2. The price range for direct cremations, including separate prices for cremations with alternative containers, cremations with a purchaser supplied container, and a description of the services and container included in each price
3. The price range for immediate burials, including separate prices for immediate burials with alternative containers or caskets, immediate burials with a purchaser supplied container, and a description of the services and container or casket included in each price
4. Transfer of remains to funeral home
5. Embalming
6. Other preparation of the body
7. Use of facilities and staff for viewing, funeral ceremony, memorial service, and/or graveside service
8. Hearses
9. Limousines
10. Caskets
11. Outer burial containers, such as vaults, grave liners, and boxes. Such outer enclosures are not required by law, but may be required by the cemetery.
 

The retail price list must include the name, address, and phone numbers of the establishment, and the effective date of the price list and a notice stating: "You may choose only the items you desire. If you are charged for items you did not specifically request, we will explain the reason for the charges on the written memorandum. Please note that there may be charges for items such as cemetery fees, flowers, and newspaper notices."
 

After completing all funeral arrangements, you must be given a written funeral purchase agreement, signed by the funeral director who assisted you, which lists the items you selected from the general price list and the cost of each item.

Should I consider a prepaid funeral contract?**

Prepaid funeral contracts are governed by Chapter 154 of the Texas Finance Code and are under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Banking. Such contracts are being marketed extensively and offer the opportunity to permit a person to fully consider his or her needs and wishes and control the cost and nature of funeral services desired. The contracts vary in terms and coverages should, like any other purchase involving a substantial sum of money, be reviewed carefully before execution.
 

Texas law does require that any seller of contracts for prepaid funeral arrangements must first apply and obtain a permit from the Texas Department of Banking. Do not contract with any seller who does not have such a permit, and make certain that the proposed contract meets the minimum Texas legal requirements, including that a trust fund has been created for the proceeds from prepaid contracts through a contract of insurance with an insurance company licensed in Texas, or that such trust fund is established in a bank or savings and loan association operated under the provisions of the Texas Trust Act.

If death occurs before the prepaid contract is paid in full, will any additional payments be required?**

On a deposit arrangement any unpaid balance would become due at the time of the funeral. Depending on the type of insurance policy or annuity contract used to fund the prepaid funeral contract, expenses may not be paid in full. If you are unsure, question the seller and/or the Texas Department of Banking or the Texas Department of Insurance.

Will my contract cover all my final expenses?**

You are entitled to receive all items shown on the contract at no additional charge, if the terms of the contract have been met. There may be additional charges for items that are not part of the prepaid contract. These may include cemetery fees, such as lowering equipment, opening and closing the grave, and burial vaults. You should discuss with the seller items that are not covered.

If you have additional questions regarding prepaid funerals, please contact:**

Texas Department of Banking, Special Audit Division, 2601 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78705-4294, (512) 475-1290, FAX (512) 475-1288, www.banking.state.tx.us

or Texas Department of Insurance, Consumer Help Line, P.O. Box 149091, Austin, Texas 78714-9091, (512) 463-6515 or 1-800-252-3439.

Where can I secure additional information regarding Mortuary Laws in the State of Texas?

You may request a complete copy of Article 4582b, Texas Civil Statutes, and the Commission Rules, by contacting the Texas Funeral Service Commission at 510 South Congress, Suite 206, Austin, Texas 78704-1716, (512) 936-2474, FAX (512) 479-5064.

* Information taken from the "Facts About Funerals" brochure by the Texas Funeral Service Commission.
** Information provided by the Texas Department of Banking and the Texas Department of Insurance.