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Burial insurance (also called final expense insurance) is small whole-life coverage that pays out when you die to cover funeral costs, medical bills, and other end-of-life expenses. Policies typically range from $5,000 to $25,000, use simplified underwriting—no medical exam—and offer immediate or near-immediate coverage. Beneficiaries can use the tax-free death benefit for any final expense, not just funeral services.
What is burial insurance?
- Premiums: Fixed for life—the same payment each month as long as you pay. Cost depends on age at application, gender, tobacco use, coverage amount, and which policy type you qualify for (level, modified, or guaranteed issue).
- Death benefit: If you die while the policy is in force, beneficiaries receive the face amount, typically tax-free, often within 24–48 hours of a claim.
- Coverage length: Lifetime. Unlike term life, burial insurance doesn't expire—it stays in force as long as premiums are paid.
For a broader look at life insurance types, start with our life insurance overview.
Who burial insurance is for—and who it's not
Good fit
- Seniors (typically 50–85) who want to cover funeral and final expenses so family isn't burdened
- People with health issues that make traditional life insurance expensive or unavailable
- Anyone who wants small, permanent coverage with no medical exam
- Families who prefer flexible use of death benefits—not locked into pre-need funeral plans
Bad fit
- You need substantial coverage (income replacement, mortgage payoff)—burial policies cap out around $25,000; look at term life or whole life instead
- You're young and healthy with no immediate need for final-expense planning—term life usually costs less per dollar of coverage
The National Funeral Directors Association pegs the median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial at about $7,800; add cemetery plot, headstone, and other costs and many families target $10,000–$20,000 in coverage.
What burial insurance costs
Premiums rise with age and coverage amount. Women typically pay less than men for the same coverage. Below are actual monthly premiums from TransAmerica for simplified-issue burial insurance (level benefit, non-smoker)—real rates, not ranges. Rates as of March 2025.
Sample rates generated using our quoting platform across 30+ carriers as of March 2026. Actual premiums vary by health class, state, and carrier underwriting.
| Age | $5,000 (F / M) | $10,000 (F / M) | $15,000 (F / M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $14 / $17 | $24 / $31 | $35 / $44 |
| 60 | $18 / $24 | $33 / $43 | $47 / $63 |
| 70 | $28 / $37 | $53 / $70 | $78 / $103 |
Rates vary by carrier, state, health class, tobacco use, and whether you qualify for level, modified, or guaranteed issue underwriting. For more on pricing across life insurance types, see average cost of life insurance.
Expert Insight: Buy younger when you can
Brad Cummins: "Burial insurance gets more expensive every year you wait. If you're in your 50s or early 60s and in decent health, you'll lock in lower rates with level coverage. If you postpone until your 70s or have health issues, you may only qualify for guaranteed issue—which costs more and often has a waiting period for full benefits."
—Brad Cummins, Insurance Geek Founder
Types of burial insurance policies
Most carriers offer three underwriting paths. The one you qualify for drives your rate and whether you get immediate full benefits:
| Policy type | Health questions | Waiting period | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Yes, simplified | None—full benefit from day one | Healthy applicants, ages 50–75 |
| Modified | Yes, lenient | Graded benefit (e.g. 30% year one, 70% year two, 100% year three) | Moderate health conditions |
| Guaranteed issue | No | 2–3 years for natural death; accidental death covered immediately | Declined elsewhere, serious health issues |
Focus first on which type you qualify for—level benefit almost always beats modified or guaranteed issue on price. See our guaranteed issue guide if that's your only option.
What burial insurance covers
Death benefits pay out tax-free to your beneficiary, who can use the money for anything. Common uses:
- Funeral and burial or cremation costs
- Cemetery plot and headstone
- Outstanding medical bills or debt
- Legal or probate expenses
- Any other final expense
Unlike pre-need funeral plans that tie funds to a specific provider, burial insurance gives your family flexibility. The NFDA median for a funeral with viewing and burial was about $7,800 in 2021; cemetery and other costs often push total needs to $10,000–$20,000.
Burial insurance vs other coverage
| Feature | Burial insurance | Term life | Whole life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage amount | $5,000–$25,000 | $100,000–$5M+ | Varies widely |
| Length | Lifetime | Fixed term (e.g. 10–30 years) | Lifetime |
| Medical exam | No | Often yes for larger amounts | Often yes |
| Cash value | Yes (small) | No | Yes |
| Best for | Final expenses only | Income replacement, mortgage | Lifetime needs, estate planning |
Pros
- No medical exam—simplified or no health questions
- Fixed premiums for life
- Immediate or quick coverage for most applicants
- Beneficiaries use funds however they need
- Lifetime coverage as long as premiums are paid
Cons
- Limited coverage amounts—not for income replacement
- Guaranteed issue has 2–3 year waiting period for natural death
- Higher cost per dollar of coverage than term life
- Pre-existing conditions may limit you to modified or guaranteed issue
Deeper dive: whole life insurance (burial is a form of whole life).
How to get burial insurance
Typical timeline: same-day to a few days from application to coverage.
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Compare quotes — Enter age, gender, coverage amount, and basic health info. Compare multiple carriers—rates and qualification vary. Independent agents like Insurance Geek quote several final-expense carriers.
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Answer health questions — Level and modified policies ask a short questionnaire; no exam. Answer accurately—misstatements can void coverage.
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Apply — Many applications complete over the phone. Carrier reviews and often approves same day.
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Pay first premium — Coverage starts when the first payment is made. Keep policy details where beneficiaries can find them.
Expert Tip: Policy type before carrier
When shopping, identify which policy type you qualify for first (level, modified, or guaranteed issue). Then compare carriers within that tier. A "cheap" guaranteed issue rate is usually still higher than a level benefit from another carrier—if you can qualify for level, that's almost always the better value.
—Brad Cummins, Insurance Geek Founder
FAQ
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About Brad Cummins
Brad Cummins is the founder of Insurance Geek and primary author of its educational content. Licensed since 2004, he brings over 21 years of experience structuring life insurance and IUL strategies for clients nationwide.
Fact checked by Ryan Wood
Ryan Wood is a licensed insurance professional and contributing advisor at Insurance Geek, serving as a fact checker and technical reviewer for life insurance and annuity content. First licensed in 2013, he brings more than 12 years of experience and holds licenses in over 40 U.S. states.
