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About

The Earthman family has been in the funeral business since 1889. We have well over 100 years of experience serving the funeral, cremation and burial needs of Houston-area families with compassion and care.

J.B. "Jim" Earthman IV, the 4th generation of the Earthman family to go into the family profession, remembers words he heard once and has believed in since, “When you get into this business, the business gets into you.”

At Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, we are dedicated and deeply invested in our community. It’s our honor to compassionately serve the families of Bellaire, West University, River Oaks, Meyerland, Sharpstown and the greater Houston area.

The Bissonnet Street building and chapel

Chapel at Earthman Bellaire Funeral HomeIn December 2016, Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home relocated to 4525 Bissonnet St. (from 6700 Ferris St.). The new space allows us to accommodate a larger number of guests in an updated environment, and we’re flattered when guests comment on its beauty.

When you walk into the funeral home, past the reception room, you’ll find our very large chapel. It seats up to 230 people in pews and has a palette of white and light gray for a clean, modern look.

All of our furniture is up to date, so you and your guests will feel right at home. Two large TVs in the chapel can be used for multimedia slideshows—or music videos or a favorite movie. We have a smaller room that’s often requested for intimate viewings.

The whole funeral home is wheelchair accessible for the elderly and physically challenged.

Customized funeral services

At Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, we are experienced at finding ways to personalize funeral services with touching reflections on each life.

We always sit down with a family, talk and discover what made a person special. This is a chance for us to connect with you on a deeper level and get a real feel for you or your loved one's life. Every person touches us in a different way—and we strive to design a funeral or memorial that truly captures someone's spirit.

What does this look like? Maybe we bring in a car lover's pride and joy. Maybe we serve falafel sandwiches followed by fireworks. Our team could dress in costume or friends and family could all come wearing a favorite color. The possibilities are literally endless—and they start with a story.

Catered receptions

Reception room at Earthman Bellaire Funeral HomeMany families are delighted by our inviting catering hall. When you enter our front door, take a right down a small hallway and you’ll find space enough for 15 tables. We work with a local caterer to arrange virtually any size and type of reception. From a breakfast buffet to evening wine and cheese to a sit-down dinner with waiter service, our caterer makes sure your guests are fed well and made comfortable.

Cemetery and crematory partners

Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home has long, close relationships with Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, Memorial Oaks Cemetery, Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, Houston National Cemetery and Woodlawn Cemetery. Our staff is quite skilled and we’re happy to coordinate with any cemetery you choose.

We do conduct cremations. If you’re interested in cremation, simply let our staff know and we’ll walk you through the process. Cremations are conducted off site at Brookside Crematory.

History

Signage at Earthman Bellaire Funeral HomeJames Bradshaw Earthman Sr. was a blacksmith and livery service provider in Taylor, Texas. The town of Taylor purchased a horse-drawn hearse, and, as proprietor of the livery stable, Earthman was frequently asked by the people of Taylor to assist with their funeral needs. Funeral homes were uncommon at the time, so often people with horse-related businesses would help with funerals.

Beginning in 1889, providing funeral services became James’s full-time profession. His group was among the first to be a licensed funeral provider in Texas.

Building a funeral home

In 1904, James and his friend, railroad surveyor J.C. McCarty, moved to Houston and established the Earthman and McCarty Undertaking Company at 715 Main St. The company did well, and in 1924, Earthman's constructed a funeral home at 2420 Fannin St. After J.C.’s death, the company became the J.B. Earthman Company.

The next generation takes over

Sitting area at Earthman Bellaire Funeral HomeAfter James B. Earthman Sr.’s death in 1931, James B. Earthman Jr. ("J.B.”), a graduate of St. Thomas High School and Rice University, left his successful architectural career to manage the company. His wife, Blanche Bastien Earthman, worked with J.B. in the daily operation of the business. Blanche was one of the first women in Texas to become a licensed funeral director.

J.B. was a pioneer in funeral planning, founding a burial insurance company in the 1930s. Together, J.B. and Blanche built Earthman Funeral Directors & Cemeteries into 1 of the largest family-owned and operated funeral companies in the United States. Their children and grandchildren continued to manage and expand the business.

Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home is now part of the Dignity Memorial® network of funeral, cremation and cemetery providers.

Community involvement

Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home is involved in the Houston community. It’s our belief that a funeral home should make a positive contribution whenever it can.

We’re regularly involved with local churches, especially in supporting their fundraisers. We are a part of the Bellaire Business Association and the Houston Metropolitan Chamber, where we get together with other businesses to find ways to help each other and the community.

Our staff is proud to be a supporter of the American Diabetes Association. We participate in their bikeathons and walkathons, helping to raise money for this worthy cause. Our funeral home also helps raise money for United Way.

We’re honored to be involved with Bo’s Place support groups, which help grieving families who have lost a child.

At Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, we support veterans. We work with all military families to help them learn about their VA benefits. We’ve arranged elaborate military funerals, including flyovers and firing squads. We also participate in the Homeless Veterans Burial Program, coordinating with veterans agencies to provide funeral services and burials for homeless veterans.

Amenities

Location

Cremation

Service

Religious & Cultural

Other Languages Spoken

Other

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Funeral & Cremation Pricing

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Express your sympathy with flowers & gifts

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Remember the one you love

Honor the memory of your loved one with cemetery flower placement. You choose the flowers. You choose the months. We do the rest..

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Express your sympathy with flowers & gifts

View arrangements
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Express your sympathy with flowers & gifts

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Unable to find an obituary?

Not finding what you are looking for? Search for your loved one's obituary across any of our other locations.

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Express your sympathy with flowers & gifts

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Unable to find an obituary?

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Express your sympathy with flowers & gifts

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Bouquet of flowers on a cemetery

Remember the one you love

Honor the memory of your loved one with cemetery flower placement. You choose the flowers. You choose the months. We do the rest..

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Vintage photos scattered

Unable to find an obituary?

Not finding what you are looking for? Search for your loved one's obituary across any of our other locations.

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Ratings & Reviews

Verified Customer Reviews

Since 2005, many of our customers have taken the time to tell us how we did each year via our Voice of the Customer program. Our star ratings and comments from families come directly from these surveys.

"The services from Earthman were both professional and caring. I was confident in the planning that went on. All of us were respected and cared for very well."

Verified customer reviews Verified Customer

September 2022

"Thoroughly caring, understanding and professional staff at every stage of planning the arrangements and then undertaking when my mom had passed. Our family cannot thank enough the Earthman team for their support in getting us through the most difficult time."

Verified customer reviews Verified Customer

August 2022

"Everything was great"

Verified customer reviews Verified Customer

May 2022

"Losing mom was so very hard after a long hospital stay. The staff was so very kind and absolutely took the time to let our family know that our grief and requests were important and mattered. We were updated on every step of the process. They let you know that it's more than a professional calling. They really care and have empathy. Thank you isn't

enough for everyone."

Verified customer reviews Verified Customer

March 2022

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