Burial Insurance for Seniors: Compare Plans & Rates
Burial insurance is a whole life insurance contract specifically chosen to cover traditional ground burial expenses. Traditional burial involves substantial expenses including the casket, cemetery plot, opening and closing fees, burial vault, grave marker, and funeral home viewing ceremonies.
Ballpark Your Monthly Premium
A simplified formula for budgeting — not live insurer pricing or a quote
Example 20-year level term, healthy non-tobacco applicant.
Not a quote or an offer. Actual premiums depend on the insurer, your state, health, and underwriting and may be higher or lower.
Burial Insurance Overview
Illustrative Final Expense Monthly Premiums
Example figures for a healthy non-tobacco applicant, to show how age and coverage affect cost. Not quotes, not survey averages, and not any specific insurer's rates.
| Issue Age | Coverage Amount | Term / Plan Type | Male Monthly | Female Monthly | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age 55 | $10,000 | Lifetime Whole Life | $32.50/mo | $25.10/mo | Call for a quote at age 55 |
| Age 55 | $20,000 | Lifetime Whole Life | $61.20/mo | $48.00/mo | Call for a quote at age 55 |
| Age 60 | $10,000 | Lifetime Whole Life | $39.80/mo | $30.40/mo | Call for a quote at age 60 |
| Age 60 | $20,000 | Lifetime Whole Life | $76.50/mo | $58.90/mo | Call for a quote at age 60 |
| Age 65 | $10,000 | Lifetime Whole Life | $51.30/mo | $38.20/mo | Call for a quote at age 65 |
| Age 65 | $20,000 | Lifetime Whole Life | $98.40/mo | $74.50/mo | Call for a quote at age 65 |
| Age 70 | $10,000 | Lifetime Whole Life | $71.10/mo | $53.80/mo | Call for a quote at age 70 |
| Age 70 | $20,000 | Lifetime Whole Life | $138.20/mo | $104.90/mo | Call for a quote at age 70 |
| Age 75 | $10,000 | Lifetime Whole Life | $104.60/mo | $79.40/mo | Call for a quote at age 75 |
| Age 75 | $20,000 | Lifetime Whole Life | $202.80/mo | $154.20/mo | Call for a quote at age 75 |
What a Traditional Burial Can Include
Burial costs come from several providers. Prices vary widely by provider and location, so get written prices for each item:
- Funeral home servicesListed on the funeral home's general price list
- CasketYou may buy one elsewhere; the FTC Funeral Rule says the funeral home cannot refuse it or charge a handling fee
- Cemetery plotNot included in NFDA funeral medians
- Grave opening & closingCharged by the cemetery
- Outer burial containerRequired by many cemeteries, not by federal law
- Headstone or markerOften bought from a monument dealer
What Funerals Cost Nationally
- Funeral with viewing & burial
- $8,300
- NFDA national median, 2023. Excludes cemetery costs.
- Funeral with viewing & cremation
- $6,280
- NFDA national median, 2023.
- Social Security death payment
- $255
- One-time payment, only to an eligible surviving spouse or child.
- Cemetery costs, such as a plot, opening and closing the grave, and a marker or headstone, are not included in the NFDA medians and can add substantially to the total.
- Under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral homes must give you an itemized general price list, and you can choose only the goods and services you want.
- NFDA projects the U.S. cremation rate at 63.4% in 2025.
Sources: National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) statistics; Federal Trade Commission: The FTC Funeral Rule; Social Security Administration: Survivors Benefits.
How to Check an Insurer Before You Sign
Whichever company an agent recommends, these quick checks help you avoid surprises.
- Step 1Confirm the license
Make sure both the insurer and the agent are licensed in your state. Your state insurance department can confirm this.
- Step 2Look up complaint history
The NAIC Consumer Insurance Search shows complaint data and basic company information reported by state regulators.
- Step 3Check current financial strength
Ask the agent for the insurer's current rating from an independent agency such as AM Best, and when it was issued.
- Step 4Read the benefit terms
Ask whether the benefit is level, graded, or modified, how long any waiting period lasts, and what is paid if death occurs during it.
Sources: NAIC consumer resources, including Consumer Insurance Search; NAIC directory of state insurance departments.
Compare Other Final Expense & Life Insurance Options
Get a Free Burial Insurance Quote by Phone
Call (888) 681-6320 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm ET). A licensed agent can review the health questions with you and explain level and graded options.
Burial Insurance Rates by State
Check local average burial costs and statutory consumer protections in your state.
LifePlanQuotes Editorial & Research Team
Independent Consumer ResourceOur editorial team writes plain-language guides on life insurance and final expense coverage, linking to public sources such as the NFDA, FTC, NAIC, and state insurance departments where we cite figures or rules. LifePlanQuotes.com is a free consumer referral service, not an insurance company or agency. When you call (888) 681-6320, you are connected with an independent, third-party agent who must be licensed in your state to discuss your needs and review policy options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common questions about coverage, underwriting, and rates.