National Museum of Funeral History
415 Barren Springs Dr, Houston, TX, 77090
Hearses, caskets, and coffins are scattered throughout this museum dedicated to the funeral—one of humankind’s oldest and least examined cultural rituals. An outlier in Houston’s cultural scene, NMFH is where you go to see rare coffins (“Fantasy Coffins from Ghana,” anyone?) and learn about embalming, Japanese burial practices, the history of cremation, and other funeral traditions.
The basics
The museum features one of the most expansive collections of historic funeral service artifacts in the US, with 19 permanent exhibits featuring everything from antique hearses to presidential funerals. Plan to stay for about 2–4 hours to see everything. Before visiting, check the museum website for special events, including talks and presentations about relevant themes.
Things to know before you go
Docent-led tours can be scheduled in advance of your visit.
The museum is fully accessible to visitors with wheelchairs.
Seniors, veterans, and children receive admission discounts; children 5 and under enter for free.
Visitors with impaired hearing or vision are encouraged to make visiting arrangements in advance.
How to get there
The National Museum of Funeral History is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of downtown Houston. Driving is the best way to reach the museum—from downtown, it’s about a 25-minute drive along Interstate 45, with ample free parking available on-site. While there’s no direct route on public transit, you can take METRO bus lines #99 and #102 in combination with the METRORail light rail system.
When to get there
The museum is open year-round, typically from morning to late afternoon on weekdays, with slightly different hours on the weekends. It’s closed on major holidays. Check the schedule for temporary exhibits and special events—during October around Halloween, the museum hosts themed nighttime happenings with drinks and costumes.
Learning about coffins and caskets
Seeing the National Museum of Funeral History’s coffin collection is one of the highlights of visiting. In the exhibition, you'll learn how wooden caskets were made by hand at the turn of the 20th century, and see some rarities as well, such as a three-person casket and another made out of money.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!