Comal County: Indigent Burial of Veterans in a National Cemetery

Health and Safety Code section 694.002 makes each commissioners court provide for the disposition of a deceased pauper. On April 30, 2026 the Comal County Commissioners Court adopted Order 559, replacing its 2006 rules, with a rotation of contracted funeral homes and a County fee schedule. The veteran rule. "If an indigent decedent has previous military service and will be buried in a National Cemetery, the funeral home or next of kin will obtain approval from National Cemetery prior to requesting indigent burial", and the written approval goes to the County Judge's office. The nearest is Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio; burial there is free to an eligible veteran, and the County pays the contracted funeral home's indigent services. How it works. Where there is no next of kin or the family cannot pay, the funeral home or next of kin contacts the County Judge's office and completes the pauper's affidavit (and the family permission to cremate, if wanted). Nothing proceeds until the County Judge's office gives written authorisation. A family that chooses its own funeral home, or moves the body out of the county, pays its own costs. Without a national cemetery burial, the County buries at Bracken Cemetery; cremation needs next of kin to sign. Questions. The County Judge's office, 100 Main Plaza, New Braunfels; 830-221-1109; [email protected]. For VA burial benefits and the national cemetery application, see the Veterans Service Office.