Frequently asked questions
About final expense coverage, and about how this site works.
About the coverage
What is final expense insurance?
A small whole life insurance policy intended to cover funeral, burial, and related end-of-life costs. It is permanent, the premium normally stays level, and it is usually issued without a medical exam. Full guide →
How much coverage can I get?
Final expense policies are typically written for modest amounts, commonly from a few thousand dollars up to around $25,000, though this varies by carrier, state, and your age. The maximum available to you specifically is determined by the carrier.
Is there a waiting period?
It depends on the policy type. Level benefit policies pay the full benefit from day one. Graded and guaranteed issue policies typically have a waiting period of about two to three years for death from natural causes, during which the policy returns your premiums plus interest instead of the full benefit. Accidental death is usually covered in full from the start. Always ask which type you are being offered.
Do I need a medical exam?
Usually not. Most final expense policies are simplified issue, meaning you answer health questions but take no exam. Guaranteed issue policies ask no health questions at all, in exchange for a waiting period and a higher premium per dollar of coverage.
Can I be turned down?
Yes, for simplified issue policies. Approval depends on the carrier's underwriting rules and your health history. Guaranteed issue policies accept anyone within the carrier's age range, which is why they exist. No one can promise you approval in advance.
What does it cost?
Your premium depends on your age, health, tobacco use, coverage amount, gender, and state. Because of that, no honest source can quote you a price without asking those questions first. A licensed agent can give you real numbers in a short conversation.
What can the money be used for?
Anything. The death benefit is paid in cash to the beneficiary you name. Most families use it for funeral and burial costs, but it can also cover medical bills, debts, or day-to-day expenses.
What happens if I stop paying?
The policy can lapse, and coverage ends. Depending on how long you have held it, there may be limited cash value or non-forfeiture options — but you may also lose what you paid in. Only take on a premium you can sustain long term.
About Burial Benefit Center
Are you an insurance company?
No. We are an independent information and referral service. We do not sell insurance, decide eligibility, or issue policies. All products are sold by licensed agents and the carriers they represent.
Does it cost anything to use this site?
No. You never pay us, and a referral through us does not increase the premium you would otherwise be quoted. We are paid by the partners we refer consumers to — see the disclosure at the bottom of every page.
What do you do with my information?
If you request information, we share the details you give us with licensed insurance partners so they can respond. Under some state privacy laws that counts as a sale or sharing of personal information, and you can opt out. See How It Works and the Privacy Policy.
How do I stop being contacted?
Email privacy@burialbenefitcenter.com and we will remove your details from our records. If a licensed partner is contacting you, you can also ask them directly to place you on their internal do-not-call list.
Are you connected to Medicare or Social Security?
No. We have no affiliation with, and no endorsement from, any government agency or program.