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SB 2027

Relating to the liability of a funeral service provider for mental anguish damages.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Donna Campbell and 1 co-sponsor

Texas bill expands funeral home liability for mental anguish damages, allowing grieving families greater legal recourse for emotional harm from negligent service handling.

Co-author authorized
#civilremedies&liabilities(i0065) #courts--juries(i0145) #funerals&funeraldirectors(s9813) #tortreform(i0816)
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Bill Summary · SB 2027

Legislative bill overview

SB 2027 modifies Texas law to allow funeral service providers to be held liable for damages related to mental anguish caused by their negligence or misconduct. Currently, Texas law severely limits such claims against funeral homes. This bill would expand the legal grounds for families to seek compensation when funeral services are mishandled in ways that cause emotional distress.

Why is this important

Funeral services involve deeply personal and emotionally vulnerable moments for grieving families. This change could provide meaningful legal recourse when funeral homes fail to properly handle remains, misidentify deceased persons, or commit other errors that compound family trauma. However, it also expands potential liability costs for funeral service businesses, which could affect service pricing and industry operations.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of liability: Defining what constitutes actionable "mental anguish" versus normal grief is legally complex and could result in numerous claims
  • Industry impact: Funeral homes may face higher insurance costs and increased litigation, potentially raising prices for consumers or reducing service availability in some areas
  • Proof standards: Establishing clear causation between a funeral provider's conduct and emotional damages can be difficult, creating uncertainty for both plaintiffs and defendants

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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