Burial Insurance: The Complete Guide for 2025
Burial insurance (also called funeral insurance or final expense insurance) is a type of whole life insurance designed to cover end-of-life expenses. With the average funeral costing $7,848 and rising every year, burial insurance ensures your family won’t face financial hardship during one of the most difficult times in their lives.
Compare Life Insurance Quotes – Save Up to 70%
Get personalized rates from 50+ providers in under 2 minutes
Burial Insurance: The Complete 2025 Guide
Burial Insurance is one of the most important financial decisions you will make for your family. Whether you are buying your first policy or comparing rates, this guide covers everything you need to know about Burial Insurance.
📊 Burial Insurance at a Glance
- Average funeral: ,848 (NFDA 2024)
- Policies: ,000 to ,000
- Guaranteed acceptance for ages 50-85
- Premiums: -/month — never increase
📺 Burial Insurance: Complete Guide
How Burial Insurance Works
Burial Insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company. You pay regular premiums in exchange for a death benefit paid to your beneficiaries when you pass away. Here is how the process typically works:
- Choose Your Coverage Amount — Most experts recommend 10× to 15× your annual income. Consider debts, mortgage, education costs, and income replacement.
- Select a Policy Type — Burial insurance is small final expense. Guaranteed acceptance for 50-85.
- Apply and Underwrite — The insurer reviews your health history, lifestyle, and age. Simplified underwriting. Many policies issue immediately — no waiting period.
- Lock in Your Rate — Once approved, your premium is fixed. Pay on time and your coverage stays active.
Key Benefits of Burial Insurance
- Relieves family of funeral expenses
- Guaranteed acceptance 50-85
- Fixed premiums, never increase
- Quick claim payout (24 hours)
- No medical exam required
What Does Burial Insurance Cost?
Burial insurance is very affordable. Sample rates:
Get matched with top-rated providers in minutes. 100% free with no obligation.
How to Find the Best Burial Insurance Rates
- Compare Multiple Providers — Rates for the same coverage can vary by 50%+ between insurance companies. Our tool lets you see rates from 50+ A-rated providers side by side.
- Lock in Rates While You Are Healthy — Premiums increase with age and health changes. The best time to buy is now.
- Choose the Right Term Length — Do not overpay for permanent coverage if you only need protection until retirement.
- Check for Discounts — Many providers offer lower rates for non-smokers, healthy BMI, and annual payment plans.
Prefer to speak with a licensed agent?
Get personalized guidance and compare plans over the phone — free, no pressure.
☎ Call 540-352-6249Frequently Asked Questions About Burial Insurance in
How long does it take to get Burial Insurance approved?
Traditional Burial Insurance approval takes 2–6 weeks and typically includes a medical exam. However, many carriers now offer accelerated underwriting that provides same-day or 24-hour approval — no medical exam required. No-exam policies are ideal if you need coverage fast, though they may cost slightly more.
How do I shop for the best Burial Insurance rates?
The best way to find affordable Burial Insurance rates is to compare quotes from multiple providers. Rates for the same coverage can vary by 50% or more between companies. Use our free comparison tool to see rates from 50+ top-rated carriers side by side in minutes — no commitment required.
Can I get Burial Insurance if I have a pre-existing condition?
Yes, in most cases you can still get Burial Insurance with a pre-existing condition, though your premiums may be higher. Many carriers offer no-exam guaranteed issue policies that accept everyone regardless of health. For more common conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, standard policies are often available at competitive rates.
What is Burial Insurance and how does it work?
Burial Insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company: you pay regular premiums, and in return, the insurer pays a tax-free death benefit to your beneficiaries when you pass away. The policy can cover funeral costs, replace lost income, pay off debts, or fund your children's education. It's one of the most reliable ways to protect your family's financial future.
Which is the best Burial Insurance company?
There isn't a single 'best' Burial Insurance company — the right carrier depends on your age, health, budget, and coverage needs. Top-rated providers include Northwestern Mutual, New York Life, MassMutual, State Farm, and Haven Life. We recommend comparing quotes from A.M. Best A-rated carriers to find the best combination of price and financial strength.
How much Burial Insurance coverage do I really need?
A good rule of thumb is 10–12 times your annual income, plus enough to cover outstanding debts like your mortgage, car loans, and student debt. You should also factor in future expenses such as your children's college tuition. A needs analysis calculator can help you pinpoint the exact amount.
How much does Burial Insurance cost per month?
The monthly cost of Burial Insurance depends primarily on your age, health, coverage amount, and the type of policy. A healthy 30-year-old can get a 20-year, 0,000 term policy for about –35/month. Permanent policies like whole life cost more (about 0–500/month for the same coverage) but build cash value over time.
What's the difference between term and whole Burial Insurance?
Term Burial Insurance provides coverage for a specific period (typically 10, 20, or 30 years) and is the most affordable option — you pay for pure protection with no investment component. Whole Burial Insurance lasts your entire lifetime and builds cash value that grows tax-deferred, but costs 5–15x more than term. Choose term if you need affordable temporary coverage; choose whole life if you want lifetime protection and a savings vehicle.
What Is Burial Insurance?
Burial insurance is a small whole life insurance policy, typically ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 in coverage, specifically designed to pay for funeral costs, medical bills, and other end-of-life expenses. Unlike traditional life insurance, burial insurance is easy to qualify for — most policies require no medical exam and only a few health questions.
The key difference between burial insurance and regular life insurance is the coverage amount. While traditional policies offer $250,000 to $1 million or more, burial insurance focuses on the realistic costs of a funeral and related expenses. This smaller coverage amount means significantly lower premiums — often starting at just $15/month for a healthy applicant.
Burial insurance policies are permanent (whole life), meaning they never expire as long as you pay your premiums. They also build cash value over time, which you can borrow against if needed. The death benefit is paid directly to your beneficiary tax-free, and they can use it for any purpose — funeral costs, medical bills, debts, or other expenses.
How Much Does Burial Insurance Cost?
Burial insurance costs depend on several factors including your age, health, gender, coverage amount, and the insurance company you choose. Here are average monthly premiums for a $10,000 burial insurance policy:
Age 50: $25-$40/month for males, $20-$35/month for females
Age 60: $35-$55/month for males, $28-$45/month for females
Age 70: $50-$80/month for males, $40-$65/month for females
Age 80: $75-$120/month for males, $60-$95/month for females
Women typically pay 20-30% less than men because they have longer life expectancies. Non-smokers can save 30-50% compared to smokers. The key to getting the best rate is comparing quotes from multiple providers — our users save an average of 40% by comparing at least 5 quotes.
Use our burial cost calculator to estimate how much coverage you need based on your state and preferences.
Types of Burial Insurance Policies
There are three main types of burial insurance:
Level Benefit Whole Life — The most common type. Full death benefit is payable from day one. Requires answering a few health questions. Best for those in reasonably good health who want the most coverage for their money.
Graded Benefit Whole Life — For those with health conditions that disqualify them from level benefit policies. Full death benefit kicks in after 2-3 years (typically paying 30-70% of face value in year 1, 70-100% in year 2, and 100% from year 3 onward). If you die of natural causes during the waiting period, premiums are refunded with interest.
Guaranteed Issue Whole Life — No health questions at all. Everyone is accepted regardless of health conditions. Has a 2-3 year waiting period before the full benefit is available. Most expensive option, but the only choice for those with serious health issues like HIV, organ transplant, or terminal illness.
Most people should start with level benefit policies and only move to graded or guaranteed issue if declined.
Top Burial Insurance Providers Compared
We compared the top 10 burial insurance providers based on rates, financial strength, and customer satisfaction:
Mutual of Omaha — A++ rated. Level benefit from day one. Coverage up to $40,000. Among the most competitive rates for ages 50-70. Excellent customer service reputation.
AIG (American General) — A rated. Guaranteed issue available. Coverage up to $25,000. Good option for those with health conditions. Level and graded benefit options.
Foresters Financial — A rated. Unique “living benefit” rider included at no extra cost. Competitive rates for non-smokers. Strong fraternal organization benefits.
Lincoln Heritage — A+ rated. Specializes in final expense insurance. Fast claims processing (24-48 hours). Funeral concierge service included at no extra cost.
Colonial Penn — Widely advertised guaranteed acceptance. $9.95/unit pricing model. Easy to qualify but relatively expensive per unit of coverage compared to other providers.
Gerber Life — A rated by AM Best. Popular for easy online application. Coverage for ages 50-80. Level and guaranteed issue options available.
Compare all 50+ providers and get personalized quotes with our burial insurance quote tool.
How to Qualify for Burial Insurance
One of the biggest advantages of burial insurance is how easy it is to qualify. Here is what you need to know:
Age Requirements: Most providers accept applicants ages 50-85. Some companies like Mutual of Omaha accept applicants as young as 45.
Health Questions: Level benefit policies typically ask 5-10 health questions covering serious conditions like HIV, ALS, organ transplant, and being confined to a hospital or nursing home. If you can answer “no” to these questions, you qualify for the best rates.
No Medical Exam Required: Burial insurance never requires a medical exam, blood test, or urine sample. Approval is based entirely on the health questionnaire.
Citizenship: You must be a US citizen or legal resident. Some providers require a valid Social Security number.
Application Process: Most applications take 10-15 minutes. You can apply online, by phone, or through an agent. Approval is typically instant or within 24 hours.
Average Funeral Costs by State
Funeral costs vary significantly by state. Here are average burial and cremation costs across the US:
National Average: Traditional burial $7,848 | Cremation $5,150
California: Traditional burial $8,800 | Cremation $5,800
New York: Traditional burial $8,900 | Cremation $5,900
Texas: Traditional burial $7,600 | Cremation $5,000
Florida: Traditional burial $7,300 | Cremation $4,800
Illinois: Traditional burial $8,100 | Cremation $5,300
These costs typically include: funeral home basic service fee, casket or urn, embalming and preparation, use of facilities for viewing, hearse transportation, and basic memorial package. Additional costs like burial plot ($1,000-$5,000), headstone ($500-$5,000), and flowers ($200-$1,000) can add thousands more.
Calculate your exact estimated costs with our free tool.
Burial Insurance vs. Other Types of Life Insurance
How does burial insurance compare to other options?
Burial Insurance vs. Term Life: Term life offers much higher coverage amounts at lower monthly costs, but it expires after 10-30 years. If your primary concern is just covering funeral costs, burial insurance is permanent and guaranteed to pay out. If you need to replace income or cover a mortgage, term life is more cost-effective.
Burial Insurance vs. Whole Life: Traditional whole life offers coverage from $50,000 to millions, builds significant cash value, and requires medical underwriting. Burial insurance is a simplified whole life with smaller coverage amounts and easier qualification.
Burial Insurance vs. Pre-Need Funeral Contracts: Pre-need contracts are purchased directly from a funeral home and lock in today’s prices. However, they are not portable — if you move or the funeral home closes, you may lose your investment. Burial insurance pays cash to your beneficiary, giving them flexibility to choose any funeral home and use excess funds for other expenses.
Use our term vs. whole life comparison tool to see which type works best for your situation.
How to Save Money on Burial Insurance
Follow these strategies to get the lowest burial insurance premiums:
1. Compare at least 5 providers — Rates vary by 40-70% between companies for the same applicant. Our quote tool compares 50+ providers instantly.
2. Apply while healthy — Level benefit policies are 30-50% cheaper than guaranteed issue. Lock in your rate now before health changes occur.
3. Choose the right coverage amount — Don’t over-insure. Use our calculator to find the exact amount you need. Most people need $10,000-$15,000.
4. Quit smoking — Non-smoker rates are 30-50% lower. Even quitting 12 months before applying can qualify you for non-smoker rates with most providers.
5. Pay annually — Most providers offer a 5-8% discount for annual payments instead of monthly.
6. Consider a spousal discount — Some providers offer 5-10% off when both spouses apply together.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these costly mistakes when buying burial insurance:
Waiting too long to buy — Premiums increase significantly with age. A policy that costs $25/month at age 50 could cost $80/month at age 70. Lock in your rate as early as possible.
Buying from the first company you see — TV advertisers like Colonial Penn spend billions on marketing, but their rates are often 2-3x higher than less-advertised competitors. Always compare quotes.
Not understanding the waiting period — Guaranteed issue policies have a 2-3 year waiting period. If you qualify for level benefit, always choose it — the full payout is available from day one.
Choosing the wrong beneficiary — Name a trusted person, not your funeral home. A person can pay bills and return excess funds to your estate. A funeral home keeps any overpayment.
Letting your policy lapse — If you miss payments, your policy can be cancelled permanently. Set up automatic payments to protect your coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is burial insurance the same as funeral insurance?
Yes, burial insurance, funeral insurance, and final expense insurance are often used interchangeably. They all refer to small whole life policies designed to cover end-of-life costs.
Can I get burial insurance with no medical exam?
Yes, all burial insurance policies require no medical exam. Level benefit policies ask a few health questions, while guaranteed issue policies ask no questions at all.
How much burial insurance do I need?
The average funeral costs $7,848, but additional expenses like burial plots, headstones, and medical bills can push the total to $12,000-$15,000. We recommend $10,000-$15,000 in coverage for most families.
Does burial insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Guaranteed issue burial insurance covers all conditions, but has a 2-3 year waiting period. If you can answer “no” to basic health questions, you qualify for level benefit coverage that pays from day one.
Can my burial insurance policy be cancelled?
As long as you pay your premiums, your policy cannot be cancelled by the insurance company. Burial insurance is permanent whole life coverage with guaranteed renewability.
Related Guides
Ready to Get Protected?
Compare rates from 50+ providers — no obligation, no spam