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Funerals/Transporting a body in Texas

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Expert: Lisa Carlson - 11/5/2009


Question
My uncle broke is neck over the summer and now he is not doing well at all. We are trying to get prepared, can we (the family) pick his body up from the morgue and transport him ourselves to the cemetery? Are there any laws in Texas regarding this?-Thank you

Answer
Yes. E-mail me directly for the TX chapter from the '98 edition of my book. I don't think a lot has changed. You should *absolutely* talk with the hospital ahead of time so there won't be any problems releasing his body. I can refer you to a TX lawyer if they don't understand your rights.

If the cemetery you are planning to use requires a graveliner or vault and doesn't sell them, they you may have to contact a funeral director to get one as the vault dealers won't sell to the public. Or see if you can use a 150-gallon stock tank upside down like a butter dish. They are only 24 inches wide, so make sure you build a casket a bit smaller.

lisa@funeralethics.org

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Lisa Carlson

Expertise

Funeral Law. Having written a 512-page book on funeral law for consumers with state-by-state information, I am very conversant with consumer rights in this regard: What are the laws on disposition of cremated remains? Is embalming required? Do I have to use a funeral home? Can I have a home wake? Is it a state law to buy a vault? I prepaid for a funeral but changed my mind. They won`t give me all my money back. What can I do? . . . If you have an immediate need for information because a death has just occurred or is about to occur, you may call me at 802-482-6021.

Experience

I have monitored the funeral industry on behalf of consumers for over 20 years. I have been a guest speaker to funeral trade organizations, consumer workshops, and social service professionals. I am regularly consulted by lawyers and legislators as well as journalists.

Organizations
Funeral Ethics Organization (www.funeralethics.org) Funeral Consumers Alliance (www.funerals.org)

Publications
Caring for Your Own Dead (1987) Caring for the Dead: Your Final Act of Love (1998) I Died Laughing: Funeral Education with a Light Touch (2001) Final Rights: Reclaiming the American Way of Death (2011) with co-author Joshua Slocum

Education/Credentials
Masters degree in Administration and Special Education

Past/Present Clients
Available as an expert witness for funeral-related court cases.

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