Four checks worth more than a star rating
One — the licence. The Texas Funeral Service Commission publishes a searchable record of licensed funeral directors, establishments and crematories, including disciplinary history. Anyone arranging a funeral in Texas can look up any provider in about a minute. Our funeral director is Carlos Vargas, TFSC licence 119648.
Two — the price list. The FTC Funeral Rule entitles you to price information over the telephone without giving your name, and to a written, itemised General Price List before you are shown anything for sale. A provider who will not quote by phone is telling you how the rest of the conversation will go. Ours is published at the General Price List.
Three — what the reviews say, not how many stars. Look for reviews that name something specific: whether the final bill matched the quote, whether anyone explained the wait, whether the phone was answered at three in the morning. Sentiment is easy to write and easy to buy. Specifics are neither.
Four — who performs the cremation. Many providers subcontract, which is normal and not disqualifying, but you are entitled to know where it happens and how identity is tracked. Ask, and expect a specific answer.
What families have said
If we served your family, a review on our Google listing helps the next family more than anything we could write about ourselves. It is public, we cannot edit it, and that is exactly what makes it worth reading.
No discounts, gift cards or anything else in exchange for a review. The FTC prohibits it, and it would make the review worthless to the person reading it — which is the only reason a review exists.
Questions about reviews
Why are there no testimonials on this page?
Because a testimonial a business selects and publishes about itself is worth very little to the person reading it - the business chose which ones to show. A review on a platform we do not control is worth more precisely because we cannot curate it.
How do I check a Texas funeral home is licensed?
The Texas Funeral Service Commission publishes a searchable record of licensed funeral directors, establishments and crematories, including disciplinary history. It takes about a minute and tells you more than any star rating.
What should I look for in a funeral home review?
Specifics rather than sentiment. Did the final bill match the quote? Was the family told what was happening while they waited? Did anyone answer the phone at 2am? A review that names what actually happened is worth ten that say "wonderful service".
Do you offer anything in exchange for a review?
No. Paying for, incentivising or filtering reviews is prohibited by the FTC, and it makes the resulting review worthless to the person it was written for.