Final expense

Is Burial Insurance Worth It?

By Enok Columbie, licensed Life & Health agent · NPN 16449444 · Updated November 2026

Quick answer

Burial (final expense) insurance can be worth it if you want to make sure your family has money for your funeral and final bills, and you don’t already have enough savings or other life insurance set aside. If you do, you may not need it.

Who it can make sense for

You want to spare your family the cost of a funeral
You don’t have savings set aside for final expenses
You have no life insurance, or your old policy ended
You want coverage that can last for life with premiums that generally stay level

When you may not need it

You have enough savings set aside for your funeral and final bills
You already have life insurance that will cover those costs
You have already paid for a funeral through a preneed plan

What it costs

Rates vary by age, health, state and plan. Final expense policies usually offer smaller coverage amounts than traditional life insurance, which helps keep premiums lower. The younger and healthier you are when you apply, the lower your rate is likely to be.

Things to watch for

Waiting periods: guaranteed-issue plans usually have a waiting period, often two years, before the full benefit is paid for death from natural causes.
Accident-only policies: some policies pay only for accidental death. Make sure you know what you are buying.
Total premiums: if you live many years, the premiums you pay could add up to more than the benefit. The trade-off is that your family is protected from the start (or after any waiting period).

Alternatives to compare

Setting money aside in a savings or payable-on-death account
A preneed plan with a funeral home
Keeping or converting an existing life insurance policy

Sources

Common questions

How much burial insurance do I need?

Many families choose an amount close to the cost of the funeral they want, plus cemetery costs and any final bills. The NFDA reported a 2023 national median of $8,300 for a funeral with viewing and burial, not counting cemetery costs.

Can I get burial insurance with health problems?

Often, yes. Many plans ask a few health questions instead of requiring an exam. If you have serious health conditions, a guaranteed-issue plan may be an option, usually with a waiting period.

What is the difference between burial insurance and a preneed plan?

A preneed plan is bought through a funeral home for specific goods and services. Burial insurance pays cash to your beneficiary, who can use it for the funeral or any other expense.

Related guides

Final Expense Insurance

Read guide →

Life Insurance for Seniors

Read guide →

Free phone review

Ready when you are

Tell us a little about you and a licensed agent — not a call center — calls you back at the time you choose. No cost, no obligation, English or Spanish.

What to expect

Call or send the form

We call you back the same business day, Mon–Sat 9am–7pm CT.

A plain-language review

We look at your needs and compare plans from several carriers.

You decide

Apply by phone if it fits. We stay your agent after you enroll.

“I started this agency so seniors could talk to one licensed person who explains the options and respects the budget — in English or Spanish.”
Enok Columbie, Founder · Licensed Life & Health agent

Get a Free Quote

Tell us a little about you and a licensed agent will call you back.

Have a question? Talk to a licensed agent today.

Free, no-pressure phone review in English or Spanish.