Texans’ attitudes toward alternative death care options are evolving quickly, and they’re as diverse as the state itself. Of course, this isn’t a phenomenon that’s limited to Texas. Green funeral homes are becoming more popular across the country, and the latest national survey from the National Funeral Director Association found that as of 2024, 68% of people are open to green funeral services, which is up from 55.7% just three years before.
Today, we’re taking a closer look at how people across Texas are generally feeling about green funeral services and what it could mean for the future of disposition in the state.
Texans Are in a Curious But Cautious Phase
At the moment it can be said that Texans are curious but cautious in regards to new green forms of disposition. A lot of Texans are open to the idea but still learning. Many people haven’t heard about newer alternative options, but once they do, they’re open to knowing more. Of particular interest is the affordability and lower environmental impact.
Something folks want to know about is the legality and logistics of some eco-friendly funeral services. It’s totally understandable given how new some options are. There are also a lot of grey areas and different ways that the services can be coordinated.
People in Texas appreciate clear, honest information. In a funeral industry that many people feel is hard to navigate or overly commercialized, organizations like Cremation.Green are helping bridge the gap by advocating for improved public awareness.
Texans tend to appreciate straight talk and practical guidance, especially when it comes to family decisions and money matters. With a cremation rate around 51%, better information is what’s needed to fully expand the green funeral service options.
Strong Interest in Eco-Friendly Choices in the Major Metros
The strongest interest in alternative funeral services is the major metro areas. This isn’t too surprising given that the metros have very diverse populations. They also have bigger concerns with issues like land for burial plots and higher related costs for funeral services.
In the cities of Austin, Dallas and Houston there’s growing demand for:
- Green burials
- Water cremation (aquamation)
- Cleaner flame cremation
- Biodegradable caskets or shrouds
Younger people, especially Millennials and Gen Xers, are driving the conversation, often influenced by climate awareness and minimalism. However, older Texans that are beginning to pre-arrange funeral services are also learning about their options and considering green alternatives they didn’t know existed. When given the option, many Texans will lean toward the one that has the lower impact.
Multiple Rounds of Legislation to Legalize Alternative Services
Bills have been introduced more than once in Texas to legalize both aquamation and natural organic reduction. While no bills have made it through to becoming law yet, there has been progress. The fact that numerous bills have been introduced is also promising. It shows that there is an interest and demand for updating the disposition laws in the state.
More people are also beginning to see the logic in the argument that failing to include all safe forms of disposition limits people’s ability to choose the type of disposition they personally want. In a state like Texas where independence is part of the identity, this reasoning rings true with many locals.
Embracing Family-Led Funerals and Home Funerals
Green funeral services are so diverse today that there’s something that appeals to just about everyone once the options are explained. Natural burial is the perfect example.
Some rural Texans and culturally rooted communities gravitate toward the idea of family traditions. So much so, family-led and home funerals are becoming more common. These types of funeral arrangements can involve:
- Keeping and preparing the body at home
- Holding simple ceremonies on private land.
- Conducting natural burials on private land.
Part of the reason family-led and home funeral services are becoming popular is they resonate with Texas values like independence, self-reliance and connection to land for generations.
Traditional Mindsets Still Strong in Some Areas of Texas
As mentioned above, Texans are all about tradition. Much of the state is more conservative or rural regions where people are often more comfortable with traditional burial and church services.
There is still some pushback to alternative funeral services that are unfamiliar. Religious values also play a big role. Some faiths are more accepting than others of cremation and green burial. Others play an active role in blocking litigation that would legalize aquamation and natural organic reduction. During legislation that could have legalized aquamation in Texas, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops was a vocal opponent. Ultimately, the bill failed.
It’s a reminder that despite the positives, there are groups that are heavily invested in maintaining the status quo.
What the Curious But Caution Mindset Means for Future Funeral Services in Texas
Because social norms, including funeral services, are so closely tied to tradition and religion, it may take Texas a little longer to legalize newer forms of disposition that are much greener than conventional burial and cremation.
But the growing interest suggests that things won’t remain the same for too much longer. The cost benefits and eco-friendliness justify making new forms of disposition legal in Texas. Not to mention the fact that options like water cremation and natural organic reduction are completely safe. Making them available so that they are at least an option is in no way harmful, and that’s good common sense any Texan will understand.
Would you like to know more about eco-friendly funeral services? Cremation.Green was the first carbon-neutral funeral home in the state of Texas. We are long-time advocates for disposition freedom and have taken initiatives to make more options available to more Texans.
We can be reached by phone, text or email at any hour of the day.