There are in the region of 1650 Funeral Homes in Texas, around 500 Cemeteries and Memorial Parks and over 100 Crematories.
The state of Texas is the second-largest U.S. state by both area and population, with a growing population of 24.7 million residents.  Bordering Mexico it has a growing Hispanic population, is nicknamed the "Lone Star State" to signify it as an independent republic and as a reminder of the state's struggle for independence from Mexico. 

Houston is the largest city and there are around 150 funeral homes in Houston.  It is also the home of the largest funeral corporation – Service Corporation International (SCI) – which was founded by Robert Waltrip in 1962.  What is now a global funeral giant, started out as a family business in Houston.  Today SCI has nearly 4000 funeral service locations and over 500 cemeteries. In the North America alone SCI has 1,400 locations in 41 states and 7 Canadian provinces generating approximately $1.7 billion in revenue.

There are in the region of 70 funeral homes in San Antonio, over 55 funeral homes in Dallas-Fort Worth, and around 30 funeral homes in El Paso.   Austin is the state capital and has around 25 funeral homes in Austin.

Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC) serves to protect the public and legislates the death care business in Texas.

Legal requirements when a death occurs

• Contact local law enforcement official if the death was unattended.
• A determination of death must be made by a coroner, Justice of the Peace, or attending physician.
• There are legal limitations regarding solicitation by a funeral director at or near the time of death.
• Solicitation means any direct or indirect contact with the family, next of kin, or one who has custody of a person who is deceased or near death for the purpose of securing the right to provide funeral services or merchandise for the deceased or person near death, 

• Contact relatives.
• Locate deceased's letter of direction, prepaid funeral contract, insurance policy and/or will.

Home Death Care
A family can bury its own dead without using a licensed funeral director in texas, however, a statement of death and a death certificate are legally required. In the main, local ordinances or deed restrictions prohibit private burials within city limits. You must check with the State Health Department and local zoning authorities for applicable laws.

Embalming in Texas
Embalming is the use of chemicals, internally and externally, to disinfect and temporarily preserve the body. Texas law does not require embalming. But most carriers will require a body to be embalmed prior to shipping. The laws of the destination country or state will apply. Because of the rapid deterioration of a body after death, Texas law requires that bodies held for over 24 hours or in transit must be embalmed, refrigerated, or encased in a leak and odor proof container.

Cremations in Texas
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.
Cremated remains may be disposed of or kept in a number of ways:

• Privately scatter the ashes
• Have the ashes Interred in a cemetery
• Have the ashes placed in a niche in a columbarium
• The ashes may be retained by the family in their home

If a death occurs outside of Texas, or the United States
When a death occurs out of state or country it is recommended you contact a funeral director with experience of the requirements to be met for air transportation of human remains to Texas.   Most major airlines do funeral shipping, and there are a number of specialized funeral homes with experience in this field.  They will usually handle the whole process, involving arrangements at the place of death, transportation, completing the necessary consular documentation and receiving the body as it is repatriated.

Whole Body Donation in Texas
You may choose to make an anatomical donation to a medical or research institution within the state of Texas.  Most major medical colleges do accept body donation.  You will also find that there are companies in the U.S. who manage whole body donation programs.

Understanding funeral costs in Texas
Funeral firms are required to provide current retail price information by telephone. According to the law, any consumer entering a funeral home and making inquiries must be presented with a general price list (GPL), this must itemize the costs of funeral services and the merchandise for sale from a funeral director. The prices on the GPL must specify at least the charges for the following items, provided they are available from the establishment:

• Forwarding or receiving remains, to or from another funeral home and a list of services provided for the stated price
• The price range for direct cremations
• The price range for immediate burial
• Embalming
• Other preparation of the body
• Use of facilities and staff for viewing, funeral ceremony, memorial service, and/or graveside service
• Hearses
• Limousines
• Caskets
• Outer burial containers, such as vaults, grave liners, and boxes. 

The general price list produced by a funeral home must include the following Statement "You may choose only the items you desire. If you are charged for items that 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." 

Caskets
Caskets are not required by law in Texas, however, there may be cemetery or mausoleum restrictions regarding caskets and outer burial containers or vaults. The law does not require a casket for cremation but some type of container such as a cardboard box or canvas pouch is usually required by the crematory.

Hispanic Funerals in Texas
Texas has one of the highest concentrations of Hispanic population, mainly immigrants from Mexico.  Although many Hispanics and Latinos choose to repatriate remains, the rapidly growing Hispanic-American population also choose Texas as their final resting place.  Therefore there are a number of dedicated Hispanic funeral homes in Texas.

If you have a complaint against a funeral director or a funeral establishment
Firstly, try and resolve your complaint directly with the funeral home concerned.  If you do not manage to reach a satisfactory resolution, then 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

Careers in the Funeral Sector in Texas
If you are interested in a career in mortuary science with a view to pursuing a career as a funeral director:

San Antonio College - Academic Departments, Mortuary Science
1300 San Pedro Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78201

Memorial Funeral Chapel College Station
2901 Texas Avenue South, College Station, TX 77845

Being that Service Corporation International is based in Houston, Texas, there is significant scope to pursue a career in the death care business, and they have a comprehensive Careers section on their web site.