Arlington, Texas Funeral Planning Guide · Updated 2026-10-29
Funeral Planning in Arlington, TX 2025: Costs, Laws & Resources
Planning a funeral in Arlington? Arlington is the largest U.S. city without a public transit system and is centrally located between Dallas and Fort Worth. Home to AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field, Arlington has a large, diverse suburban population. The city is in Tarrant County, so Tarrant County Medical Examiner and County Clerk handle death registration. This guide covers local costs, Tarrant County government contacts, local cemeteries and crematories, Texas laws, and financial assistance — so your family can make informed decisions quickly.
Funeral Costs in Arlington, TX 2025
Funeral costs in Arlington vary widely by service type and provider. The table below shows current market ranges for Tarrant County. Arlington sits between Dallas and Fort Worth, with access to funeral providers from both markets. Prices are in the mid-range for the DFW metroplex.
| Service type | Arlington range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct cremation | $950–$2,350 | No service; remains returned |
| Cremation with memorial | $1,600–$3,900 | Separate family memorial |
| Full-service cremation | $3,300–$7,800 | Viewing + ceremony + cremation |
| Simple graveside burial | $2,100–$4,600 | Minimal funeral home involvement |
| Traditional burial | $6,800–$13,500 | Funeral home fees only; add cemetery |
| Cemetery plot | $1,400–$5,500 | Separate cemetery purchase |
Ranges reflect Tarrant County market data. Cemetery costs are separate from funeral home fees. TODO(human): Replace with Renidy first-party quote data when available.
Tarrant County Medical Examiner
In Texas, the county medical examiner must authorize all cremations before they can proceed. This is in addition to the 48-hour statewide waiting period. For routine deaths under physician care, the attending physician certifies the death certificate without Medical Examiner involvement.
Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office
200 Feliks Gwozdz Place, Fort Worth, TX 76104
Phone: (817) 920-5700
Death Certificates in Arlington
You need 8–12 certified copies of the death certificate for estate settlement — banks, insurance, Social Security, the VA, and each real estate title require their own copy. Each certified copy costs approximately $20. Your funeral home files the death certificate with the state; you purchase copies from the county clerk.
Cemeteries in Arlington
These are verified cemeteries serving Arlington and Tarrant County. Always request a current price list directly from the cemetery, as costs change annually.
Moore Memorial Gardens
1219 E Randol Mill Rd, Arlington, TX 76011
Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery
2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211
Approximately 25 min from central Arlington.
Texas Funeral Laws That Apply in Arlington
- 48-hour ruleTexas Health & Safety Code §166.101 requires a minimum 48-hour waiting period before cremation. The county medical examiner must also authorize the cremation independently.
- Disposition authorityThe right to control disposition is assigned by written Designation of Agent, or — if none exists — surviving spouse, adult children (majority vote), parents, then adult siblings.
- FTC Funeral RuleEvery licensed Texas funeral home must provide an itemized General Price List (GPL) on request, in person or by phone. You are never required to purchase a package.
- TFSC licensingFuneral providers in Texas must be licensed by the Texas Funeral Service Commission. You can verify a provider's license at tfsc.texas.gov.
- EmbalmingEmbalming is not required by Texas law unless the body is transported across state lines. You have the right to decline it.
Financial Assistance for Funeral Costs
Social Security $255 Lump-Sum Death Benefit
A one-time $255 payment is available to a surviving spouse or certain dependent children. Apply through SSA (ssa.gov) within 2 years of the death.
VA Burial Allowance
Veterans may qualify for a burial allowance of up to $948 (service-connected) or $300 (non-service-connected). Apply through the VA at va.gov/burials-memorials.
Tarrant County Indigent Burial Program
Texas counties are required to provide burial for indigent residents who have no family or estate to cover costs. Contact the Tarrant County health department for eligibility requirements. TODO(human): Verify current Tarrant County program contact and income limits.
Life Insurance and Final Expense Policies
Check any existing life insurance policies immediately. Final expense policies (small whole-life policies) often pay within 24–48 hours, which can cover immediate costs before the estate is settled.
Frequently Asked Questions — Arlington Funeral Planning
How much does a funeral cost in Arlington?
Arlington funeral costs run $950–$2,350 for direct cremation and $6,800–$13,500 for traditional burial. Arlington has access to both Dallas and Fort Worth funeral markets.
Is Arlington in Dallas County or Tarrant County?
Arlington is in Tarrant County. Death certificates are issued by Tarrant County Clerk in Fort Worth, and the Tarrant County Medical Examiner handles death investigations — not Dallas County.
How do I get a death certificate in Arlington?
Tarrant County death certificates from Tarrant County Clerk at 200 Taylor St, Fort Worth. Each copy costs $20.
Who handles death investigations in Arlington?
Tarrant County Medical Examiner at 200 Feliks Gwozdz Place, Fort Worth (817-920-5700). They authorize cremations for all Tarrant County deaths.
Does Arlington have affordable cremation options?
Yes. Arlington has several direct cremation providers, with prices starting around $950–$1,500. Being between Dallas and Fort Worth, families have a wider range of providers to compare.
Does Arlington have death doulas?
Arlington is served by Renidy's DFW-area death doula network. Planners serve both Tarrant County and Dallas County families.