Recently, we shared information on the EPIC scandal involving the state shutting down the East Plano Islamic Center’s funeral services for licensing violations. It got us thinking about other events, both past and present, that have been controversial.
Texas has had several significant funeral industry controversies over the past century, ranging from civil rights flashpoints to allegations of gross negligence and major regulatory failures. These controversies weren’t just headline events for selling newspapers. They had a real impact on funeral services in the state that have an effect still today.
In this post we’re highlighting some of the most notable Texas’ funeral industry cases that have happened in the last 100 years and how they influenced the current death care system.
Felix Longoria’s Death in Combat Exposes Racial Injustice at Home
One of the earliest and most impactful controversies in the Texas funeral industry’s history happened in 1949. After Felix Longoria, a Mexican American from Texas and WWII veteran, died in combat, his family tried to hold services at a funeral home in Three Rivers, Texas. They were refused, with the funeral home citing that “the whites would not like it.”
It was such a clear act of discrimination that the incident drew national attention. The injustice helped spark the Latino civil rights movement and highlighted deep-seated racial segregation in Texas funeral practices that fortunately no longer exist today.
Service Corporation International (SCI) vs the Texas Funeral Service Commission Scandal
The SCI scandal of the late 1990s is a reminder that politics play a role in death care and just how closely related the two can be. The Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC) received a complaint against SCI in January 1998 that launched an investigation that went much further than many realized it would.
At the time of the investigation, Service Corporation International was the largest funeral services company in the world. The TFSC was investigating SCI for using unlicensed embalmers and other regulatory violations. The investigation escalated into a political and legal battle that drew more attention for the fact an SCI employee was on the TFSC board.
The conflict of interest led to allegations of intimidation, non-compliance with subpoenas and threats to abolish the regulatory body. The scandal exposed the close ties between the Texas funeral industry and state regulators, raising concerns about oversight and accountability.
Golden Gate Funeral Home Allegations of Mishandling Remains
The last five years were a bit of a roller coaster for many, and the Texas funeral industry was really put to the test during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time Golden Gate Funeral Home in Dallas was at the center of numerous lawsuits and complaints. The allegations from families included mishandling bodies, wrongful cremation, failure to embalm or refrigerate remains and returning incorrect cremains.
Whistleblower reports and photographs were graphic. They depicted bodies stored in un-refrigerated trucks and unsanitary conditions that did not follow regulations. In total, dozens of families have filed lawsuits seeking answers and accountability all while bringing death care storage practices to the forefront of public awareness.
Richardson Mortuary Goes Viral For Violating Regulations
In April 2025, Richardson Mortuary in Houston became the subject of a state investigation after a viral video showed uncovered bodies stored without air conditioning, some reportedly left for weeks. It was a clear violation of Texas state regulations, however the funeral home defended itself by acknowledging the mortuary’s owner had been hospitalized and the facility had suffered hurricane damage.
The circumstances leading up to the events didn’t excuse the funeral home because they shouldn’t have been in operation under those conditions. The scandal drew significant public outrage and prompted investigations by the TFSC and law enforcement. It also serves as a reminder to all funeral homes in Texas that operations should cease if services can’t be rendered properly.
Ongoing Concerns About Consumer Exploitation and Regulatory Non-Compliance
Beyond individual scandals, there have been ongoing concerns about consumer exploitation for many years. It’s a prevalent problem that isn’t isolated to Texas. The concerns include funeral homes charging unnecessary fees and misleading grieving families about state requirements.
The Federal Trade Commission has found widespread violations of the Funeral Rule in Texas and across the U.S. The national estimate is that 18% of funeral homes violate FTC regulations, however it can be as high as 50% in some regions.
With numbers like those it’s not surprising that the FTC is carefully considering updates to the Funeral Rule.
Summary Table of Major Controversies
| Controversy/Case | Time Period | Key Issues | Impact/Outcome |
| Longoria Affair | 1949 | Racial discrimination in funeral services | National civil rights attention |
| SCI vs. TFSC Scandal | 1990s | Regulatory violations, political interference | Exposed industry-regulator ties |
| Golden Gate Funeral Home | 2020s | Mishandling of bodies, wrongful cremation | Lawsuits, regulatory scrutiny |
| Richardson Mortuary Scandal | 2024-2025 | Uncovered bodies, lack of refrigeration | State investigation, public outrage |
| General Consumer Exploitation | Ongoing | Excessive fees, regulatory non-compliance | FTC investigations, consumer advocacy |
Key Takeaways From the Controversies
Making changes in the Texas funeral industry isn’t easy. We should know. We’ve been fighting to get Texas codes updated so that water cremation and natural organic reduction are an approved form of disposition in the state like it is around the country. Multiple bills have been put forth and stalled in the state Senate.
Often change occurs because of a major controversy as well as current events. The controversies that get people’s attention and get them invested are what is prioritized by politicians and regulators. It’s something to keep in mind the next time you see the Texas funeral industry in the headlines.
Cremation.Green is a highly reputable funeral service provider that has been operating in Texas since 2018. We’re proud to be the first carbon-neutral funeral home in the state that is helping to modernize the death care system for all Texans.
