National Museum of Funeral History

The National Museum of Funeral History in north Houston displays America's largest collection of funeral service artifacts and memorabilia spanning thousands of square feet. The museum showcases exhibits about how funeral practices have developed and why they matter to communities.

The museum was founded in 1992 to document funeral customs across different time periods and cultures. It gathers items that reflect the diversity of how people have mourned and honored the dead throughout history.

The exhibits show how different cultures honor their dead, from ancient Egyptian customs to New Orleans jazz funerals and religious burial traditions from around the world. Visitors can see the various ways people have created meaningful ceremonies to remember those who have passed.

Visiting on a weekday allows for a quieter experience to explore the exhibits at your own pace without large crowds. Comfortable shoes are recommended since there is a lot of ground to cover and you will spend considerable time standing.

The museum holds original funeral bills and death masks from famous historical figures, including George Washington's funeral receipt from the 1700s with the actual amount he was charged. These original documents provide a direct look at the practical and personal side of how funerals were handled in early American history.