Company Directory - Texas Funeral Service Commission
Company Details - Texas Funeral Service Commission
Texas Funeral Service Commission
WebsiteThe Texas Funeral Service Commission is a regulatory body responsible for overseeing funeral services, including the licensing of funeral establishments and practitioners in Texas. It aims to ensure the integrity and professionalism of the funeral service industry, protecting consumers' rights and promoting ethical practices in funeral service and body donation.
CCI Score
CCI Score: Texas Funeral Service Commission
11.42
Latest Event
Texas Funeral Service Commission Investigates Unethical Body Broker Practices
Following an NBC News investigation that exposed unethical practices in the handling of unclaimed bodies, the Texas Funeral Service Commission launched an investigation into body broker activities to ensure ethical standards in body donation and protect affected families.
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SABOTEUR
Texas Funeral Service Commission is currently rated as a Saboteur.
Latest Events
- APR162025
Following an NBC News investigation that exposed unethical practices in the handling of unclaimed bodies, the Texas Funeral Service Commission launched an investigation into body broker activities to ensure ethical standards in body donation and protect affected families.
- APR162025
The Texas Funeral Service Commission initiated an investigation in response to disturbing reports of unclaimed bodies being misappropriated for medical training and research. This move aims to enforce accountability and ethical practices within the body donation system, particularly in light of concerns raised by lawmakers and media investigations.
+70
Public and Political Behavior
April 16
By launching an investigation into unethical practices in body donation, the Texas Funeral Service Commission is taking a proactive regulatory stance to protect vulnerable groups and uphold human dignity. This action promotes transparency and accountability in an area prone to exploitation, aligning with anti-authoritarian and pro-ethical governance values.
Horrified Texas lawmakers demand crackdown on body broker industry
- NOV012024
On November 1, 2024, the Texas Funeral Service Commission issued a cease-and-desist letter to the University of North Texas Health Science Center after an inspection revealed unlawful water cremation practices (alkaline hydrolysis) in contravention of Texas state law, threatening fines of $5,000 per day and revocation of its operating license.
+40
Public and Political Behavior
April 16
The Commission's decisive regulatory action reinforces state law and ethical standards by halting practices that disrespect human remains and violate legal protocols. This enforcement action upholds consumer protection and professional integrity, signaling a positive stance against ethically questionable practices that can erode public trust.
Texas medical school ordered to stop liquefying bodies after using them for training
- MAR012023
A March 2023 audit report (Report 23-022) revealed that the Texas Funeral Service Commission has significant weaknesses in revenue management, user access to confidential enforcement records, and internal oversight of staff activities related to licensing, enforcement, and financial operations. These deficiencies raise concerns regarding transparency, accountability, and the effective regulation necessary to protect consumer rights.
-40
Public and Political Behavior
April 16
The Commission's failure to secure confidential enforcement records and lack of rigorous internal oversight undermines public trust and accountability, weakening its ability to protect consumer rights and potentially opening avenues for authoritarian misuse of regulatory power.
-50
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
April 16
The audit uncovered substantial deficiencies in the Commission's business practices, particularly in handling revenue and regulating staff activities across licensing, enforcement, and financial operations. These issues compromise ethical responsibility and transparency, which are critical to preventing authoritarian abuses and ensuring fair regulatory oversight.
- MAR012023
A March 2023 audit report identified significant deficiencies in the Commission’s revenue management, records access, and staff training processes. Despite a remedial memo issued by the Executive Director outlining corrective actions, issues such as high employee turnover and mismanagement of funds raise concerns about the agency’s ability to protect consumer rights and maintain ethical operations.
+10
Executive Political Engagement
April 16
The Executive Director’s memo issued on February 6, 2023, demonstrates proactive political engagement by directing staff to implement internal control improvements. This response, while positive, is weighed against broader organizational weaknesses.
-30
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
April 16
The audit report documents a 69% staff turnover during a critical period along with insufficient documented guidance and inadequate staff training. This undermines worker rights and ethical operational practices.
-20
Economic and Structural Influence
April 16
The Commission’s failure to implement effective revenue management processes—with delays in depositing funds and inadequate segregation of duties—poses risks to the integrity of its financial operations and overall structural reliability.
- AUG172022
Republican legislator James E. White resigned from the Texas House of Representatives and immediately assumed the role of Executive Director at the Texas Funeral Service Commission. This appointment raises concerns about the potential infusion of partisan and authoritarian influences into a regulatory agency tasked with ethical oversight in funeral services.
-40
Executive Political Engagement
April 16
The appointment of former Republican legislator James E. White as Executive Director is a politically charged move that may encourage a shift toward partisan regulatory practices. Given the broader context of rising far‐right influence in governmental roles, this event is assessed negatively from an anti‐fascist perspective as it potentially facilitates authoritarian tendencies within a regulatory body.
- JUN072018
The Texas Funeral Service Commission released its 2019-2023 Strategic Plan outlining comprehensive measures to enhance transparency, enforce ethical standards in licensing and inspections, adopt technology for online renewals, and improve workforce efficiency. The plan emphasizes accountability and public protection against deceptive practices in the funeral industry.
+30
Public and Political Behavior
April 16
The strategic plan reinforces public accountability and transparent regulatory practices, demonstrating a commitment to impartial enforcement and open access of information, which supports democratic oversight and deters authoritarian behavior.
+35
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
April 16
The plan emphasizes ethical responsibility through rigorous licensing, transparent complaint resolution, and enforcement protocols. These measures ensure that industry practices remain fair and protect consumers, countering potential abuses.
+20
Technology and Services Impact
April 16
Adoption of online licensing renewal processes and incorporation of technology in operations signals a modernizing effort to improve service delivery and accessibility for the public.
+15
Economic and Structural Influence
April 16
Structural reforms, including workforce development and efficiency improvements, are designed to ensure that regulatory functions are sustained and reliable, thereby supporting democratic oversight of the industry.
- OCT252017
Governor Greg Abbott appointed Dianne Hefley and Kristin Tips to the Texas Funeral Service Commission for terms expiring on February 1, 2023. This appointment, executed by a politically conservative governor, raises concerns about potential alignment with policies that could marginalize progressive oversight.
-40
Executive Political Engagement
April 16
The appointment by Governor Abbott, a prominent conservative figure, signals an infusion of executive political engagement that may steer regulatory practices in ways that undermine progressive and anti-authoritarian values. This raises concerns under anti-fascist scrutiny regarding the potential for regulatory capture of marginalized interests.
Governor Abbott Appoints Hefley And Tips To Texas Funeral Service Commission
Industries
- 812210
- Funeral Homes and Funeral Services
- 812220
- Cemeteries and Crematories