What is Funeral Insurance?
Funeral insurance is a type of life insurance that helps seniors plan for final expenses. Funeral insurance usually offers coverage up to $25,000, relatively low rates, and does not require a medical exam to qualify. It’s geared toward paying for a funeral, which costs $6,000-$11,000 on average, but the payment can be used for other end-of-life costs too.
See your customized funeral insurance rates
Funeral insurance fast facts
- Funeral & burial insurance policies usually offers $2,000-$25,000 in coverage (the “death benefit”)
- The death benefit is meant for funeral costs and settling up finances
- Premium costs vary by person, but often range from $30-$200 per month
- Most seniors can get coverage with no medical exam and no waiting period
- The policy is guaranteed to pay out in almost every scenario
Pros and cons of funeral insurance
| Benefits of Funeral Insurance | Drawbacks of Funeral Insurance |
| – Protects families from paying expensive funeral costs out of pocket | – Actual funeral costs can exceed smaller policy sizes |
| – Seniors can qualify with no medical exam | – Premiums can be expensive over time |
| – Can be more affordable than other types of permanent life insurance | – Not meant to provide lasting financial support for families |
In this article
- How funeral insurance works
- Benefits and drawbacks
- Should seniors buy funeral insurance?
- What funeral insurance covers
- Breakdown of funeral costs
- Funeral insurance cost and quotes
- Top funeral insurance companies
- How to pay for a funeral with life insurance
- FAQ
- Get quotes today
Note on insurance terminology:
Funeral insurance can also be called “final expense insurance” or “burial insurance.” All three names refer to the same type of plan. For the purposes of this article, we use the term “funeral insurance,” but you may see others used elsewhere.
How a funeral insurance policy works
In many ways, funeral insurance works like other kinds of life insurance. The person who needs coverage applies, selects a coverage amount (or “death benefit”), and names a beneficiary.
As long as the insured person stays current on premium payments, the death benefit will be paid to their beneficiary when they pass away. It can then be used to pay for final arrangements for the deceased.
But there are some key differences about how funeral insurance works, too.
Chris Acker, a certified life underwriter and chartered financial planner, explains:
“Funeral insurance policies are designed to be small, whole life policies, typically issued with death benefits of $25,000 or less. Most funeral insurance carriers offer guaranteed issue online processing and will issue a policy in days.” –Chris Acker, CLU, CFP
Here’s what that means for you.
Benefits of funeral insurance
There are a few features that set funeral insurance apart from “traditional” life insurance plans, like term or whole life.
- Guaranteed issue (no medical exam) — Unlike most kinds of life insurance, funeral insurance doesn’t require a medical exam on the application. That means seniors can get coverage even if they’re in poor health
- Easy application — Since there’s no medical exam, many companies let customers apply for funeral insurance online. This reduces hassle, and coverage goes into effect faster. “Applicants don’t need to meet with an agent and can literally “sign” over the phone and pay with a credit card,” says Acker
- Limited coverage amounts — Most funeral insurance companies cap the death benefit for these policies at $25,000 or $50,000. Other types of life insurance, like term or whole life, generally start coverage around $100,000
These unique features are what make funeral insurance appealing to some seniors.
It can be an affordable, accessible option for people that can’t get life insurance coverage elsewhere.
See your customized funeral insurance rates
Funeral insurance drawbacks
Smaller coverage amounts can make funeral insurance more affordable. However, since there’s no medical exam, funeral insurance is still more expensive per dollar of coverage than most fully-underwritten policies would be.
The smaller coverage amounts also limit how far the policy will go to help surviving family members.
“The benefit of a bigger [life insurance] policy is to provide ongoing benefits to one’s heirs,” explains Tony Steuer, CLU, LA, CPFFE, Author and financial preparedness advocate.
“It can help a spouse keep their home by providing mortgage payments or rent,” Steuer says. “It can also fund retirement plan contributions. The other big thing is setting money aside for kids to go to college.”
This is what we mean when we say funeral insurance is meant for those with limited coverage needs.
Should seniors buy funeral insurance?
Are you considering funeral insurance for yourself or a senior relative? If so, it’s important to consider both the pros and cons before buying.
- Funeral insurance may be a good choice if you need a small amount of coverage to help with final expenses. Also, if you believe you’d have trouble passing a life insurance medical exam, or are past the age when most companies will issue term life insurance (usually 75 or 80)
- Funeral insurance may NOT be the right choice if you’re in fair to good health, or young enough to qualify for term life insurance. In addition, funeral insurance will not provide ongoing financial support for surviving family members
Ultimately, the decision to buy funeral insurance or not comes down to your individual circ*mstances.
“Funeral insurance is a completely useful product — especially for someone who wants simple coverage for a specific need, and doesn’t have a ton of money to spend,” says Steuer.
You can use the link below to explore customized funeral insurance policies and rates.
Customize your Funeral Insurance Policy
What funeral insurance covers
The main goal of funeral insurance is to cover funeral expenses. A funeral, with burial or cremation, costs $6,000 to $11,000 on average — so having a financial plan to cover funeral costs is incredibly important.
But funeral insurance can be used for other things, too.
As with all life insurance policies, the funeral insurance “death benefit” is paid to a pre-selected beneficiary.
That person, usually a spouse or close relative, can use the funds however they see fit. There are no rules that say the death benefit must be used for funeral costs.
Some of the most common uses for a funeral insurance policy include:
- Funeral costs — A funeral is often the most expensive arrangement after someone passes away. Using insurance to pay for a funeral protects families from having to pay thousands out of pocket
- Debts and accounts — After someone passes away, a few months worth of their ongoing debts may need to be covered. That could include things like mortgage payments, utilities, and insurance. Other things, like credit card bills, do not have to be paid
- Death certificates — A “death certificate” is a government-issued document that states the time and circ*mstances of someone’s passing. Multiple death certificates will be required to close accounts, make funeral arrangements, and more. Copies of a death certificate typically cost $10-$20 apiece
- Fees and accounting bills — If there are fees required to close accounts, sell the deceased’s home, file taxes, or organize their estate, these can be covered by funeral insurance
Of course, this list is just an example.
Funeral costs tend to be high, and proceeds from an average funeral insurance policy are relatively small. So many people will simply use the payout to cover all or part of the funeral arrangements.
Breakdown of funeral costs
Below is a breakdown of average funeral costs for 2019, according to the National Funeral Directors Association.
| Item or service | Average cost¹ |
|---|---|
| Funeral home service fees | $2,195 |
| Removal/transfer of body to funeral home | $350 |
| Embalming | $750 |
| Other preparations for the body | $255 |
| Use of facility and staff for viewing | $425 |
| Use of facility and staff for ceremony | $500 |
| Service car or van | $150 |
| Basic memorial printed package | $175 |
| Cost before burial or cremation fees | $4,800 |
| Hearse | $340 |
| Metal casket | $2,500 |
| Vault | $1,495 |
| Burial plot² | $1,000-$4,000 |
| Total cost for funeral with burial | $10,635 |
| Cremation fee | $350 |
| Cremation casket | $1,200 |
| Urn | $295 |
| Total cost for funeral with cremation | $6,645 |
Many people are not aware how quickly funeral costs can add up.
Customers do have the right to compare costs from different funeral homes and find the most affordable option. However, non-negotiable fees like the “funeral home service fee” often cost a few thousand dollars.
So regardless of the funeral arrangements someone chooses, it’s crucial to plan for these expenses ahead of time.
How much does funeral insurance cost?
For many people, funeral insurance costs between $30 and $200 per month. But premiums can vary widely depending on the applicant’s unique profile. The main factors that impact cost are age and gender. So the older you are, the higher the premiums will be. And men usually pay more than women.
| Age of Purchase | Policy Size (Death Benefit) | Average Monthly Premium¹ |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | $10,000 | $41 |
| 65 | $10,000 | $62 |
| 75 | $10,000 | $108 |
Sample rates shown here are a snapshot meant for comparison only. Check personalized funeral insurance quotes to see what your own rate will be.
CTA: Check custom funeral insurance rate quotes
Funeral insurance costs vs. life insurance costs
Like we mentioned above, funeral insurance tends to be more expensive per dollar of coverage than other types of life insurance. That’s because, without a medical exam, companies can’t fully measure the “risk” of insuring someone. But they’re still promising to pay a death benefit. So they charge a higher premium to balance out the cost.
“These policies are typically ‘guaranteed issue’ plans with few or no medical questions,” explains Acker. “And they are priced assuming all applicants are in poor health.”
Bur for people that are in poorer health, a guaranteed issue policy may be the best option.
“If people can’t get — or don’t need — higher amounts of life insurance, this process makes it easy and relatively painless to secure at least a small amount of life insurance for their loved ones,” says Acker.
And for many, having some life insurance is better than having none.
Why compare funeral insurance quotes
Funeral insurance costs vary by person. But they also vary by company. That’s because each insurer calculates price differently based on the applicant’s age, gender, basic health status, and other factors. The price estimate a company gives you is called a “funeral insurance quote.”
“Funeral insurance is one of those marketplaces where there’s huge variance [in cost]. Make sure you compare options.” –Tony Steuer, CLU, LA, CPFFE, Author and financial preparedness advocate
The goal as a consumer is to find the lowest premium for the coverage you need. So it’s important to compare quotes from a few different funeral insurance companies before buying.
You can compare personalized quotes to get the rightfuneral insurance company right here.
Compare Funeral Insurance Quotes
Funeral insurance companies and plans
Comparing rates from a few different companies lets you find the best value for your funeral insurance plan.
To help you get started, we compiled a list of the top seven funeral insurance companies based on market share data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Companies are ranked based on their customer satisfaction score from J.D. Power’s 2019 life insurance survey. The J.D. Power study measures customer satisfaction with every part of the life insurance process — from application to price, billing, and customer service.
| Company | Funeral Insurance Policy | Funeral Insurance Coverage Amounts¹ | Accepted Ages for Funeral Insurance | 2019 Customer Satisfaction Score² |
| State Farm | Final Expense Insurance | $10,000 | 50–80 | 808/1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual of Omaha | Whole Life Guaranteed | $2,000–$25,000 | 45-85 | 795/1,000 |
| AARP (provided by New York Life) | AARP Easy Acceptance Life Insurance | $2,500–$25,000 | 50–80 | 770/1,000 |
| John Hanco*ck | Final Expense Insurance | $2,000–$20,000 | 55–80 | 739/1,000 |
| Transamerica | Final Expense Insurance | $2,000–$50,000 | 0–85 | 732/1,000 |
| AIG | Guaranteed Issue Whole Life Insurance | $5,000–$25,000 | 50–85 | 722/1,000 |
| Globe Life | Funeral and Burial Insurance | $5,000–$50,000 | Not listed | Not listed |
¹ Available coverage amounts and age restrictions may vary by state² Customer satisfaction survey data fromJ.D. Power 2019 U.S. Life Insurance Study
Compare the top funeral insurance companies
State Farm funeral insurance
State Farm is one of the biggest and best-known insurance companies out there. Along with more common offerings like home and auto insurance, State Farm has a funeral insurance plan called “Final Expense Insurance.” It offers exactly $10,000 in coverage and is available to customers age 50 to 80. State Farm’s coverage is right in line with the average cost of a funeral with burial.
Mutual of Omaha funeral insurance
Mutual of Omaha has funeral insurance plans ranging from $2,000 to $25,000. The company lists this policy as “Whole Life Guaranteed,” but despite the name, it works just like other funeral insurance plans. Customers can apply from age 45 through 85. And coverage is guaranteed with “no medical exam or health questions to answer.”
AARP funeral insurance (provided by New York Life)
For senior members of the AARP, funeral insurance is available through the New York Life Insurance Company. The plan, called “Easy Acceptance Life Insurance,” is available to members starting at age 50. And it offers coverage from $2,500 to $25,000. Eligible spouses can even apply for AARP funeral insurance starting at age 45.
John Hanco*ck funeral insurance
Funeral insurance — or “Final Expense Insurance” — is available from John Hanco*ck in face amounts of $2,000 to $20,000. Customers can apply from age 55 to 80. However, with death benefits capped a little lower than other companies, John Hanco*ck is a better choice for those with very limited insurance needs.
Transamerica funeral insurance
Transamerica sells funeral insurance coverage from $2,000 to $50,000. That’s about the widest range of funeral insurance policies one could hope to find. With Transamerica, this coverage is available at any age up to 85 years old. (Note: Transamerica also calls its plan “Final Expense Insurance.”)
AIG funeral insurance
Funeral insurance from AIG starts at $5,000 and goes up to $25,000. AIG calls its funeral insurance plan “Guaranteed Issue Whole Life Insurance,” and it’s available to customers age 50 through 85.
Globe Life funeral insurance
Globe Life specializes in no-exam online life insurance applications. So it’s only natural that the company also offers guaranteed issue funeral insurance. Policies are available with coverage from $5,000 to $50,000, though policy options and age of issue vary by state.
How to pay for a funeral with life insurance
Funeral insurance is a simple way to pay for a funeral with life insurance. Coverage is easy to get, and seniors can choose a small policy amount to match funeral expenses.
But when it comes to actually paying for the funeral, there are a couple options to be aware of.
Using the funeral insurance death benefit
The funeral insurance death benefit can be used however the beneficiary sees fit. Many people use the one-time, lump-sum payment to cover funeral expenses. However, life insurance often takes up to 30 or even 60 days to payout. So if the policy does not pay until after the funeral, the family may have to cover funeral costs out of pocket initially. Then, they can take the death benefit as a form of reimbursem*nt.
Using pre-need funeral insurance
Pre-need funeral insurance can protect the family from having to cover any funeral expenses out of pocket. With a pre-need policy, the insured person chooses a funeral home and makes funeral arrangements during life. And that funeral home is named as the beneficiary of the insurance policy. That way, life insurance proceeds go to the funeral home instead of the family, and funeral costs are covered directly.
Assignment of life insurance to a funeral home
A “funeral assignment” diverts life insurance proceeds directly to a funeral home to pay for its services. The insured person can buy this kind of policy through a funeral home directly (known as “pre-need funeral insurance”). Or, with an “assignable” funeral insurance policy, the beneficiary can sign proceeds over to the funeral home after the insured person passes away.
If the beneficiary chooses to assign life insurance funds to a funeral home, any money left over after the funeral has been paid for will be returned to them.
Whether or not you can assign life insurance proceeds depends on the funeral home and the insurance policy. When you’re checking funeral insurance quotes, ask the company whether assigning the benefit to a funeral home is an option.
Connect with a funeral insurance company today
Finding a lost life insurance policy
Life insurance can be used to pay for funeral expenses — but only if the beneficiary is able to file a claim and retrieve the payout. This is simple enough if the insured person kept their affairs in order. But oftentimes, it can be difficult to locate a life insurance policy after someone passes away.
If your loved one had life insurance and you need to file a claim, try this resource: 12 steps for locating a lost life insurance policy, from the Insurance Information Institute.
Or, try the Life Insurance Policy Locator from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Funeral insurance FAQ
How much does funeral insurance cost?
How much funeral insurance costs depend on your application. Since funeral insurance is “guaranteed” coverage, your premium will not depend on health questions. However, factors like age and gender still affect rates. And the company you choose makes a big difference, too. Most customers can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $200 per month. But to get an accurate estimate of funeral insurance costs, check personalized rates here.
Does funeral insurance have a waiting period?
Like all life insurance, funeral insurance has a two year waiting period or “contestability clause.” This waiting period determines whether or not a funeral insurance policy will pay out. If the insured person dies within two years of buying their policy, it’s likely their family won’t receive a death benefit. Instead, they’ll probably receive a return of any premiums paid by the insured. The waiting period usually also states that if the death was a suicide, the company may not pay, or may pay a reduced premium.
Can you get funeral insurance if you have cancer?
Yes, it’s possible to buy funeral insurance if you have cancer or another terminal illness. That’s because qualification for funeral insurance is not based on a health exam. You may have to answer a few basic health questions on your application, but being diagnosed or treated for a serious illness should not bar you from getting coverage. These policies are priced higher than other life insurance policies to accommodate that extra risk for the company. Just remember: There’s a two year waiting period for funeral insurance, and the death benefit won’t be paid if the insured dies within two years of getting coverage.
What’s the difference between life insurance and funeral insurance?
Funeral insurance is a type of life insurance. But there are some key differences between funeral insurance and more common plans like term or whole life. First, funeral insurance guarantees coverage. You won’t be denied based on health issues or advanced age. Second, funeral insurance comes in small policy sizes. It generally offers $2,000 to $25,000 of coverage, while term or whole life starts around $100,000. Finally, funeral insurance is more expensive than most insurance. But thanks to smaller policy sizes, it can still be affordable for those that can’t get covered by traditional life insurance.
What are the benefits of a funeral plan?
Having a funeral plan makes it possible for one’s family to pay for the funeral without financial strain. Having a financial plan is important, as funerals cost between $6,000 and $11,000 on average — no small sum for a family to cover without a payment plan in place. Of course, there’s more than one kind of “funeral plan” to help families prepare. Prepaid funeral plans let you select funeral services and pay for them ahead of time. Life insurance can help pay for a funeral if you already have it. And for seniors that don’t already have life insurance, a funeral insurance plan offers coverage to help with these costs.
Can I get a funeral plan for someone else?
Yes, you can buy a funeral plan for someone else. If you want to buy a funeral insurance plan for a parent or family member, you have to have an “insurable interest” in them. That means you’d be financially impacte `d if they passed away — for instance, if you’d have to pay for the funeral. If you do have an insurable interest in the person, you will likely need their approval and signature on the policy. However, rules vary by company.
Does life insurance pay for a funeral?
Life insurance can absolutely be used to pay for a funeral. Most funerals cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000 — so if this is your main goal in purchasing life insurance, make sure you have sufficient coverage. Families should also remember that life insurance can take up to a month or two to payout. So funeral costs may have to be paid out of pocket and then reimbursed by life insurance. But this is avoidable if the death benefit can be assigned directly to a funeral home.
How can you pay for a funeral without insurance?
Typically, the next-of-kin is expected to handle funeral expenses. If they need to pay for the funeral without life insurance, there are a number of options. First would be using the deceased’s assets (savings, investments, proceeds from the home sale, etc.) to cover funeral expenses. Some people qualify for assistance from employers or veteran’s benefits. Social Security may provide a small sum, but it’s only about $200. And families can look for government assistance programs, which vary by state. It’s also possible to lower funeral costs by shopping around for the most affordable funeral home and services.
What is funeral insurance?
Funeral insurance is a specific life insurance policy designed to cover funeral expenses. Also called burial insurance of final expense insurance, funeral insurance pays beneficiaries smaller amounts than a typical life insurance policy.
While these amounts may be smaller, they are often released faster. This allows families and loved ones to have the financial support they need to cover the cost of things like funeral home services, memorial services, or cremation and caskets.
How does funeral insurance work?
Like most life insurance policies, funeral insurance works by paying a set amount to a beneficiary after the death of the policy owner. However, funeral insurance works a little differently than most other forms of life insurance.
Instead of releasing a larger sum of money after several weeks of paperwork and verifications, funeral insurance policies pay out smaller amounts as soon as the policy holder has passed away. Many families find this type of insurance more appealing, because it will allow loved ones to cover immediate expenses that inevitably arise after a death.
Is it worth getting funeral insurance?
Whether or not funeral insurance is worth getting will depend on your needs.
If you are in a position where your family could suffer if they had to cover the costs of your burial, then funeral insurance is a fantastic investment. With funeral insurance, your family will receive a sum of money immediately after your death. The extra financial help in an already hard time could be very beneficial.
However, it’s worth keeping in mind that funeral insurance policies are smaller than life insurance policies, as they’re designed to only cover final expense costs. If you’re hoping to leave a larger sum of money to support your family, a life insurance policy makes more sense. If you want to leave a small amount of money your family can immediately access to pay funeral costs, then a funeral insurance policy is worth getting.
How much do typical funeral insurance policies pay?
As is the case with most forms of insurance, how much your policy pays out depends on which policy you purchase. An average funeral insurance policy will be between $5,000 and $25,000. Because funeral insurance is designed to specifically help cover funeral costs, they’re often smaller than life insurance policies.
For those who want to support their loved ones with day-to-day expenses following their death, a life insurance policy might be more beneficial. Funeral insurance policies will pay less, but enough to help cover the costs of burial and other final expenses.
What does a funeral insurance policy cover?
There’s actually a lot of flexibility when it comes to what funeral insurance policies will cover. This flexibility is one of the reasons many opt to purchase funeral insurance in addition to life insurance.
The main purpose of funeral insurance is, as the name suggests, to cover the expenses of a funeral. With funeral and cremation costs rising, having extra funds to alleviate can be extremely beneficial to loved ones.
However, there’s an extra benefit of opting for funeral insurance. Instead of dictating exactly what the funds need to be used for, beneficiaries can decide where that money needs to go. So, if your funeral insurance policy is for $15,000 and actual funeral costs are only $10,000, then your family could use that remaining $5,000 for other needs. Whether it’s helping pay for travel of other family members, medical bills, or as a way for mourners to take time off work, the money can be used as they fit.
With the support of funeral insurance policy, loved ones won’t have to worry about unforeseen expenses after an already heartbreaking loss.
Is life insurance better than funeral insurance?
The differences between life and funeral insurance make it difficult to determine which is better. The answer will be based on your particular needs.
To better decide which would be best for you, it’s important to know the differences. Life insurance is a more general policy that pays out unlimited amounts to your beneficiaries after your passing. However, because these policies can be so big, they do take a longer time to process, meaning you might not see a dime for months.
Funeral insurance, on the other hand, offers smaller policies that pay out immediately. As a result, these policies are perfect for those who know their loved ones can’t take the financial burden of funeral expenses.
Typically, life insurance is designed to support family members after a main provider has passed away, which is why these policies are so much larger. However, funeral insurance is specifically for funeral home services, burial or cremation, and memorial services.
Whether life insurance or funeral insurance is better will completely depend on your needs and the needs your loved ones will have after your death.
What’s the difference in cost between life insurance and funeral insurance?
The average cost of a funeral insurance policy worth $10,000 will cost about $50 every month. And the average cost of a 20 year term life policy for $500,000 will cost about $25 every month. However, this is just an average, since policies can widely vary for many reasons.
There are a lot of variables to determine the cost of life insurance when compared to funeral insurance. As is the case with most forms of insurance, the cost is determined on who is being insured. Even with more flexible insurance policies, like funeral insurance, there are things like age and gender that are considered.
In order to determine whether life or funeral insurance and their costs will work for you, it’s important to think about your specific needs and get quotes from several insurance companies.
What is the average cost of funeral insurance?
The average cost of a $10,000 funeral insurance policy will cost about $50/month. However, the cost of funeral insurance will depend on how much coverage you want, your general health, and your age.
Thankfully, there are many insurers that offer guaranteed issue policies. A policy that’s guaranteed issue means that your medical conditions can’t prevent you from getting a policy. The downside to guaranteed issue policies is they are often more expensive than other forms of life insurance.
When should I get funeral insurance?
We recommend getting funeral insurance as soon as you’re eligible. Often, funeral insurance costs will increase as you get older, so the sooner you get your plan, the better.
The majority of funeral insurance plans have windows where you qualify. Most have an age restriction between 45 and 50 years for those wanting to start a policy, though this age is determined by company. However, if you know you’re going to want a funeral insurance policy, check which ones meet your needs as soon you qualify.
Should I buy funeral insurance for my parents?
Funeral insurance is for the benefit of those who will pay for burial services. So if you already know you’re going to be paying the $7,000 – $10,000 cost of your parent’s funeral, it does make sense to purchase a policy for them.
Even though your parents would ideally purchase their own policies, if they don’t have the financial means to do so, you could be saving yourself a huge financial hurdle by purchasing them insurance. Discussing end of life desires is such a hard conversation to have, but it’s important to have those conversations now to give everyone peace of mind.
How much is a basic funeral?
The average funeral in 2020 cost about $7,360, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. The average cremation costs about $6,260. While these averages cover basic funeral home services, they will vary depending on specific needs, as well as location.
How do I choose a funeral insurance agency?
To find the best funeral insurance agency to meet your needs, it’s important to do a little homework first. Before you can ask for quotes from agencies, you want to make sure you know what you’re going to need covered.
Before speaking with an agency, make a list of things you think you’ll need to cover, like embalming, a casket, or cremation. If you want to get into the details, consider your memorial service and the costs associated with that. You can even look at funeral homes in the area to see what they charge so you can get an estimate.
When you have an idea of what your burial expenses will be, consider how much you’re able to pay without hurting yourself financially. Keep this number in mind so you have a budget for your possible monthly payments.
Once you know what you want and how much you can pay, request quotes from several funeral insurance agencies. It will be easy to see what agencies are able to cover your needs within your budget, so narrowing it down shouldn’t take too long.
Finally, when you have a reputable agency that meets all your needs, call to speak to an agent and confirm your policy!
How do you apply for funeral insurance?
Thankfully, funeral insurance is fairly easy to apply for, though this does depend on which agency you pick. Most agencies operate online, so you can browse policies and apply for quotes on agency websites. The majority of agencies will even allow you to apply online, though we do recommend speaking to an agent beforehand.
In order to make sure you’re getting the best price and understand your policy completely, you should get two or three quotes from different agencies. After speaking to an agent directly, whether in person or on the phone, you can make your choice can apply online or on the phone.
Who can be a funeral insurance beneficiary?
You can choose anyone to be your funeral insurance beneficiary. While the most common choices are spouses or children, it can be any family member or trusted friend. Some even opt to have their funeral insurance policy pay out to their funeral home, cutting out any middlemen.
The key to picking a funeral insurance beneficiary is making sure it’s someone you trust and communicating your desires with that person. Even though funeral insurance policies aren’t as large as life insurance policies, it’s still a lot of money and you want to make sure your beneficiary knows where to spend it.
Sit down with your beneficiary and let them know what you want and your expectations for the payout. And if you’re funeral home is your beneficiary, make sure all the paperwork is signed and copies are given to your next of kin.
Does life insurance pay for funeral expenses?
The money from life insurance policies can be used to cover funeral costs, but the timing of payouts doesn’t always allow this to be the case.
Most life insurance policies take 30 to 60 days to be processed, though that can be even longer for complicated policies. For families relying on that money to cover funeral costs, the wait time can be a real hindrance.
Funeral homes usually expect to be paid upfront. If family members are waiting for money from life insurance policies, they could be stuck paying funeral costs out of pocket. If families know that covering the cost of burial will be too much financially, getting a funeral insurance policy could offer an alternative solution.
What happens if you die before your funeral plan is paid?
Every insurance agency will have its own policy for what will happen if you die before your funeral plan is paid off.
Most companies have a graded death benefit, which means payouts are smaller if the policyholder dies within the first few years of the policy. These benefits often increase every year, maturing at around year three. At this point, beneficiaries will get the full amount of the funeral insurance benefit.
For those seriously considering funeral insurance, it’s important to get a policy as soon as possible, so it will have the chance to mature fully.
Does funeral insurance have a waiting period?
The waiting period for funeral insurance policies will depend on the company. While most companies do have waiting periods of about two years before full benefits are paid, there are options available for no waiting periods.
The problem with policies without waiting times is they will inevitably be more expensive than those with waiting periods of a few years. These type of policies will also have a more involved application process. One of the benefits of funeral insurance is most policies don’t require medical exams. However, with a policy that pays out immediately, you might have to answer more questions about your health.
Should I pre-pay for my funeral or get funeral insurance?
Whether you should pre-pay for your funeral or get funeral insurance depends on your specific needs. However, experts agree that funeral insurance is typically safer than pre-paying for your funeral.
Pre-paying a funeral home for your burial costs is a perfectly legitimate option, but there are some dangers that come with pre-paying. If you move and your funeral home doesn’t work across state lines, you could lose all your money. And because many funeral homes are privately owned, if they go out of business, you probably wouldn’t be able to get your money back.
Funeral insurance is a safer way to make sure your beneficiaries will get the support they need to cover burial costs.
What’s the difference between funeral insurance and burial insurance?
Burial insurance is just another name for funeral insurance! Burial and funeral insurance can also be called final expense insurance. They are all the same thing and are used to describe the same service and insurance policy.
What questions do they ask for funeral insurance applications?
While every company will be different, most funeral insurance applications only ask general questions. Besides providing your personal information, you might need to answer a few general health questions. However, these questions are typically very vague, like asking whether or not you’ve smoked.
If you’re uncomfortable answering any health questions, there are funeral insurance policies that don’t ask anything about your health. However, keep in mind these policies might be more expensive than those that do ask general health questions.
How long do funeral insurance policies last?
There are two different types of funeral insurance policies that will determine how long they last, whole term or term life.
A term policy lasts for a pre-determined amount of time. When you purchase a term policy, you’ll decide how long you want it to last, which can be anywhere from one year to twenty. However, once that time is up, your policy will lapse.
A whole life policy is one that lasts for as long as you’re alive. No matter how long you live after purchasing a whole life policy, you will be covered.
How long does it take to be approved for a funeral insurance policy?
While every insurance company will have different waiting periods, most approve their policies within a few days.
There are companies that offer instant approval, but it’s important to check what type of coverage they offer and if there’s any catch.
For those who are worried about approval times, don’t be afraid to ask insurance agencies how long it will take.
What is a payable-on-death account?
Also called a POD, a payable-on-death account is another way you can save up money to cover your burial expenses. With a POD, you’ll have a bank account you put funds to pay for your funeral. Once you pass away, your POD account will immediately be available to your beneficiary.
Payable-on-death accounts are convenient because they take third parties out of the process. However, you will need to put money away in this account yourself, which can take diligence. If you’re opening a POD, you should make a goal and a plan to reach that goal, paying on it as you would an insurance policy.
Is there a difference between term and whole life insurance?
Yes, there is a difference between term and whole life insurance policies.
A term life insurance policy lasts for a very specific set of time, one that is determined when the policy is purchased. The benefit of having a term policy is if you’re already nearing the end of life, you can opt for a policy that you know for sure will cover you until your death.
A whole life insurance policy is a plan that lasts your entire life. A benefit of whole life insurance plans is they give peace of mind that your beneficiaries will receive the support they need, no matter when they need it.
What is a guaranteed issue funeral insurance policy?
As the name suggests, a guaranteed issue policy means that you are guaranteed coverage. Most often, you’ll see these policies used by those who might not qualify for policies with detailed application processes.
In the case of funeral insurance, a guaranteed issue policy means that you’ll get coverage no matter your medical history. Applications for guaranteed issue funeral insurance policies don’t ask many, or any, medical questions. However, this type of policy often has smaller benefits and can be more expensive.
What is a simplified issue funeral insurance policy?
Simplified issue funeral insurance policies are those that only ask a few health questions, but don’t require a medical exam in order to approve your application. For those who are healthier, a simplified issue funeral insurance policy is a great option because it will offer more coverage for lower monthly payments.
What is a graded death benefit?
Graded death benefits are those that will only pay partial benefits in the first few years of the policy. For example, if someone purchased a funeral insurance policy, but passed away the next year, their beneficiaries might only get what was paid into that policy.
With a graded death benefit, the amount beneficiaries receive will increase with each year the policy is active. With funeral insurance, these policies often mature by their second or third year.
If you’re considering funeral insurance, check how much your beneficiaries will receive and when. Check when your policy will be fully mature, so you and your loved ones know what to expect.
What is a stepped premium?
A stepped premium is one that is recalculated on a yearly basis. As a result, when you receive a funeral insurance policy with a stepped premium, you could be making smaller payments now, but in five years those amounts could double.
What is a leveled premium?
A leveled premium is a premium based on certain aspects of your life. For example, your age, gender, lifestyle choices, or even where you live could be taken into consideration when determining your premium. However, once you’re locked into that premium amount, your payments will not change.
What is a capped premium?
A capped premium is one that is only paid until you reach a certain age or pay a specific amount of money. Once you’ve reached that age or paid that amount of money, you get to keep your coverage without having to pay any more premiums.
Get funeral insurance quotes today
Funeral insurance is designed to be an affordable, accessible option for seniors. It’s easy to apply for coverage online and buy only as much insurance as you really need.
But remember: Since there’s no medical exam, costs are higher per dollar of coverage than they would be with other types of insurance. That makes it extra important to compare quotes and find the best rate.
You can check personalized rates from multiple companies right here.
Personalize your rate now
