What To Do When Someone Dies in Texas

At Home or Hospice: Call 911 or the attending physician to officially pronounce the death. Do not move the body until authorized.

At Hospital or Nursing Home: Staff will handle the official pronouncement. You'll be contacted by staff to discuss next steps.

Unexpected Death: Call 911 immediately. A medical examiner or justice of the peace may need to investigate.

Choose a licensed funeral home or crematory to handle transportation and arrangements. They must be contacted within 24 hours in most cases.

What they'll do:

• Transport the body from place of death to their facility
• Begin paperwork for death certificate and permits
• Discuss cremation, burial, or other final disposition options
• Coordinate with medical examiner if required

Find funeral homes in San Antonio →

The funeral home will typically file the death certificate with the Texas Department of State Health Services. You'll need multiple certified copies for:

• Life insurance claims
• Bank accounts and financial institutions
• Social Security and pension benefits
• Property transfers and probate

Cost: $20-30 per certified copy
Timing: Usually available 1-2 weeks after filing

Depending on your choice of final disposition:

For Burial: Burial-transit permit required from local registrar. Cemetery will verify before accepting remains.

For Cremation: Cremation permit required. Texas mandates a 48-hour waiting period from time of death (with some exceptions).

For Transport Out of State: Transit permit needed for interstate transportation of remains.

Your funeral director handles most permit applications on your behalf.

Make decisions about final arrangements:

Cremation: Direct cremation ($700-$1,500) or cremation with memorial service ($2,000-$4,000). View cremation options →

Burial: Select cemetery plot, casket, and coordinate burial service. View burial options →

Body Donation: Contact medical schools or research facilities if pre-arranged.