Burial insurance is a small whole life policy that pays your family a set amount when you die, so the funeral, burial or cremation is paid for. Washington's insurance office says it is the same kind of policy as final expense insurance. This page is about the funeral bill it pays.
At 70, $10,000 of final expense costs about $53 a month for a woman and $70 for a man who does not use tobacco, in published sample rates.
How much does burial insurance cost?
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $24 | $31 |
| 55 | $28 | $36 |
| 60 | $33 | $43 |
| 65 | $41 | $54 |
| 70 | $53 | $70 |
| 75 | $71 | $97 |
| 80 | $98 | $134 |
| 85 | $136 | $193 |
Estimate from published sample rates, 2026. Not a quote.
Who should get burial insurance?
Burial insurance fits seniors about 50 to 85 who want their funeral paid for, so their children do not pay out of pocket or go into debt. It suits buyers who want a small, simple policy with a price that never goes up. Most plans ask health questions instead of a medical exam.
- Who buys it
- Ages 50 to 85
- Medical exam
- Usually noDepends on age, amount and company
- Coverage amounts
- Small face amounts, often $5,000 to $25,000. Limits vary by state and company.
- Ages
- Often sold from about 50 to 85. Limits vary by state and company.
Burial insurance pros, cons and waiting periods
The pros are a fast payout to the person you name, a locked price and simple health questions. The cons are small amounts and a higher cost per dollar than term. Plans with no health questions usually pay in full only after 2 years. It is not the same as a prepaid funeral plan.
The money goes to the beneficiary you name. They can pay any funeral home, or use what is left for other bills.
The national median funeral with viewing and burial was $8,300 in 2023, and $6,280 with cremation, per the NFDA. Many people pick $10,000 to $15,000.
It is whole life, so the monthly price is set when you buy and the policy lasts for life as long as you pay.
Plans that ask a few health questions usually cost less and pay in full sooner than plans that ask none.
Some plans for older buyers pay back only the premiums, or a small benefit, if you die from illness in the first 2 or 3 years.
A preneed plan buys set goods from one funeral home. Burial insurance pays cash to a person you name.
Burial vs cremation: what the funeral costs
The national median funeral with viewing and burial was $8,300 in 2023, and $6,280 with viewing and cremation, per the NFDA. A plot, a vault and the grave marker can add more. Direct cremation with no service costs less. Pick a policy amount that covers the funeral you want, plus a little for last bills.
Graded vs level burial insurance
A level plan pays the full amount from day one. A graded plan pays less for a death from illness in the first 2 or 3 years. A guaranteed issue plan asks no health questions and usually waits about 2 years.
| Type | Health questions | Waiting period | What pays in years 1 and 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Yes, a few | None | The full amount |
| Graded | Yes, a few | Usually 2 or 3 years | Part of the amount, or your premiums back, for a death from illness. An accident often pays in full. |
| Guaranteed issue | None | Usually about 2 years | Often your premiums back, sometimes plus interest, for a death from illness |
How to get a plan with no waiting period.
Buying for a parent
You can buy a policy on your mother or father with their consent. Your parent signs the application and answers the health questions. You can be the owner, pay the premiums and be the beneficiary, so the money comes to you for the funeral. Talk it through with them first, and keep the policy papers where the family can find them.
Burial insurance or a bigger policy?
Burial insurance pays for the funeral and last bills. If your family would also lose your pay, or you still owe on a house, a term policy may fit better. Burial insurance vs life insurance and final expense insurance explain both.
Burial insurance questions
Is burial insurance the same as final expense insurance?
Yes. They are two names for the same kind of small whole life policy. Washington's insurance office says final expense insurance is also known as burial policies.
How much burial insurance do I need?
Start with the funeral you want. The national median was $8,300 with burial and $6,280 with cremation in 2023, per the NFDA. Add any last bills you want covered.
Can I buy burial insurance for my parent?
Yes, with their consent. Your parent signs the application and answers the health questions. You can be the owner and the person who pays, and name yourself as beneficiary.
Does burial insurance have a waiting period?
Some plans do. Plans with no health questions often pay only premiums back, or a small benefit, for a death from illness in the first 2 or 3 years. Plans with health questions may pay in full from day one.
Does the price go up as I get older?
Not on most whole life burial plans. The price is set by your age when you buy, which is why waiting usually costs more.
What if the funeral costs less than the policy?
Your beneficiary keeps the rest. The money is theirs to use for any bills.
Is cremation covered?
Yes. The policy pays cash, so your family can choose burial, cremation or a memorial service.
Can a funeral home be my beneficiary?
It can, but Texas warns to be careful. If you name a funeral home, ask for a written price guarantee, or name a family member instead.
