---
title: Final Expense Insurance (Burial Insurance): Costs and Quotes
url: https://coverfolk.com/coverage/final-expense
updated: 2026-10-08
---

# Final expense insurance

Also called burial insurance. A small policy that covers the funeral and last bills, so your family does not have to.

[How much do I need?](/calculator)

Updated October 8, 20264 sources[Fact checked](/editorial-standards)

The short answer

Final expense is a small life insurance policy to pay for a funeral and last bills. It is often whole life with a small face amount.

**Burial insurance or final expense?** Burial insurance and final expense insurance are two names for the same kind of policy. Washington's insurance office says final expense insurance is also known as burial policies or senior life insurance. These are small policies that cover or prepay funeral costs.

## Who it fits

People on a budget with little savings who want their family to have funeral money fast.

Who buys it
:   Ages 50 to 85

Medical exam
:   Usually noDepends on age, amount and company

Coverage amounts
:   Small face amounts. In New York, senior life plans with no medical exam are capped at $25,000. Nevada says funeral and burial costs can top $10,000.

Ages
:   New York senior life plans are sold at ages 50 to 75. Other limits vary by state and company.

## What to know before you buy

**Pays out fast**

Funeral coverage is meant to get money to family quickly, before an estate is settled.

**Small amounts**

These policies have small face amounts, mostly for burial costs.

**Costs more per dollar**

They often cost more for each $1,000 of coverage than bigger policies.

**Watch the waiting period**

Some policies for older buyers pay back only premiums, or a small benefit, if you die in the first 2 or 3 years.

**Name your own beneficiary**

If a funeral home sells it without a price guarantee, name your own beneficiary, not the funeral home.

**Check the math**

Make sure what you pay in will not soon add up to more than the benefit.

## Common questions

What does final expense cover?

The money goes to your beneficiary. It is often used for the plot, casket or urn, marker, cremation, and other funeral costs.

Is there a waiting period?

Some plans with no exam pay only premiums back, or a small benefit, in the first 2 or 3 years. Ask before you buy.

Is it more expensive than other life insurance?

Per $1,000 of coverage, it often is. You are paying for a small, easy to get policy.

## Final expense by state

[Arizona](/states/arizona/final-expense)[California](/states/california/final-expense)[Florida](/states/florida/final-expense)[Georgia](/states/georgia/final-expense)[Illinois](/states/illinois/final-expense)[Michigan](/states/michigan/final-expense)[New Jersey](/states/new-jersey/final-expense)[New York](/states/new-york/final-expense)[North Carolina](/states/north-carolina/final-expense)[Ohio](/states/ohio/final-expense)[Pennsylvania](/states/pennsylvania/final-expense)[Tennessee](/states/tennessee/final-expense)[Texas](/states/texas/final-expense)

[Final expense rates by age](/rates/final-expense)

## Learn more

[**What is final expense insurance?**](/answers/what-is-final-expense-insurance)[**How much does a funeral cost?**](/answers/how-much-does-a-funeral-cost)[**What is guaranteed issue and a graded death benefit?**](/answers/guaranteed-issue-graded-benefit)[**What does a 2 year waiting period mean on burial insurance?**](/answers/graded-death-benefit-waiting-period)[**Preneed funeral plan vs final expense insurance: what is the difference?**](/answers/preneed-vs-final-expense)[**What are my options for life insurance over 70?**](/answers/life-insurance-for-seniors-over-70)

## Sources

1. [New York DFS: Types of Life Insurance Policies](https://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumers/life_insurance/types_of_policies)
2. [Alaska Division of Insurance: Burial Insurance](https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/ins/Consumers/Life/BurialInsurance.aspx)
3. [Nevada Division of Insurance: Funeral Insurance](https://doi.nv.gov/Consumers/Funeral-Insurance/)
4. [Texas Department of Insurance: Life insurance guide](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb018.html)

Other coverage

## Compare with the others

[Ages 18 to 65

### Term life

The most coverage for the least money, for 10 to 30 years.

See term life](/coverage/term-life)[Any age

### Whole life

Coverage that lasts your whole life and builds cash value.

See whole life](/coverage/whole-life)[Homeowners

### Mortgage protection

Life insurance sized to your home loan, so the house stays paid.

See mortgage protection](/coverage/mortgage-protection)