The best funeral insurance companies for 2026 include Mutual of Omaha, AARP (New York Life), Aflac, Transamerica, Lincoln Heritage, Aetna, and TruStage. Each sells small whole life policies — also called burial or final expense insurance — that pay $2,000 to $50,000 to cover a funeral, cremation, and leftover bills. The right one for you depends on your age, your health, and how fast you need coverage to start. No single company is best for everyone, which is exactly why comparing a few matters.
What funeral insurance actually is
Funeral insurance is a small whole life policy built to cover end-of-life costs. You may see it sold as “burial insurance” or “final expense insurance” — same product, different label. It never expires as long as you pay the premium, the price is locked in the day you’re approved, and the death benefit goes straight to the person you name.
Most policies range from $5,000 to $25,000, though a few carriers go up to $50,000. There’s no medical exam. You either answer a short list of health questions or, with guaranteed-acceptance plans, none at all.
Why it matters: funeral costs in 2026
A funeral is one of the largest expenses most families ever face, and it usually arrives with no warning. The National Funeral Directors Association puts the median cost of a burial with viewing at about $8,300, and cremation with a service at roughly $6,280. Add a cemetery plot, vault, or headstone and the total often climbs past $10,000.
Without a plan in place, that bill lands on a grieving spouse or adult children — frequently on a credit card. A modest policy turns a five-figure shock into a manageable monthly premium and keeps the decision about your funeral in your hands, not theirs.
Best funeral insurance companies for 2026 at a glance
| Company | Best for | Coverage range | Age range | Waiting period |
| Mutual of Omaha | Best overall value | $2,000–$40,000 | 45–85 | None on level plans |
| AARP (New York Life) | Guaranteed acceptance | $2,000–$25,000 | 50–80 | 2 years |
| Aflac | No-exam simplicity | Varies by state | Up to ~80 | None to 2 years |
| Transamerica | Higher coverage amounts | Up to $50,000 | 0–85 | None to 2 years |
| Lincoln Heritage | Funeral-planning support | Up to ~$20,000 | 0–85 | None to 2 years |
| Aetna (Accendo) | Health conditions others decline | $2,000–$50,000 | 40–89 | Often none |
| TruStage | Simple online guaranteed issue | $2,000–$25,000 | 45–80 | 2 years |
Coverage amounts, age limits, and waiting periods vary by state and health. Confirm current terms with the carrier or your agent before you buy.
Mutual of Omaha — best overall value
Mutual of Omaha is the name most independent reviewers rank first, and for good reason. Its Living Promise whole life plan offers day-one coverage with no waiting period if you clear a short health questionnaire, plus a graded option for applicants with more health issues. Pricing is consistently competitive, it’s available in nearly every state, and the company carries an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best. For a healthy applicant in their 50s or 60s, it’s usually the first quote worth beating.
AARP (New York Life) — best guaranteed acceptance
If health problems have gotten you declined elsewhere, AARP’s guaranteed acceptance plan — underwritten by New York Life — asks no health questions and turns no one down within its 50–80 age range. The trade-off is a two-year waiting period: die of natural causes in the first two years and your family gets your premiums back plus 10%, not the full benefit. Accidental death is covered from day one. New York Life holds an A++ rating, the highest AM Best gives.
Aflac — no-exam simplicity
Aflac’s whole life final expense coverage skips the medical exam and pairs well with optional riders. It’s a solid pick if you already know the brand and want a straightforward policy without a lot of paperwork. Availability and specific terms vary more by state than most carriers, so a quick quote is the only way to see your real numbers.
Transamerica — best for higher coverage
Most burial policies cap out around $25,000. Transamerica goes up to $50,000, which suits families expecting funeral costs plus outstanding debts or medical bills. Note that the maximum drops as you age — roughly $50,000 through age 55, stepping down to $25,000 by 85 — so buying earlier locks in access to more coverage. Every policy includes a free funeral-planning benefit.
Lincoln Heritage — best for funeral-planning support
Lincoln Heritage is the one dedicated final expense specialist on this list. Its Funeral Advantage program bundles in the Funeral Consumer Guardian Society, which helps your family compare local funeral prices and handle arrangements. That concierge layer costs more than a bare policy, so weigh the added support against the higher premium.
Aetna (Accendo) — best for tough health conditions
Aetna’s Accendo brand accepts conditions that make other carriers say no — diabetes diagnosed after 40, COPD, and congestive heart failure among them — and often offers day-one coverage where competitors would impose a waiting period. If your health has complicated past applications, this is a carrier worth putting in the mix.
TruStage — best for simple online guaranteed issue
TruStage (backed by CMFG Life, rated A by AM Best) sells guaranteed-acceptance whole life you can buy online in minutes, no health questions asked. Like other guaranteed plans it carries a two-year waiting period. It’s a clean option for people who want to handle everything themselves without a phone call.
How much does funeral insurance cost?
Age and health drive the price more than anything else. Because these are level whole life policies, the rate you lock in never goes up and the coverage never expires. Here’s what a $10,000 policy typically runs per month for a non-smoker in average health:
| Age | Women (est.) | Men (est.) |
| 50 | $25–$35 | $30–$40 |
| 60 | $35–$50 | $45–$60 |
| 65 | $45–$60 | $55–$75 |
| 70 | $65–$85 | $80–$105 |
| 75 | $90–$120 | $110–$150 |
| 80 | $125–$165 | $150–$200 |
Illustrative ranges for a level-benefit whole life policy, non-tobacco. Your rate depends on age, health, coverage amount, and carrier.
Two patterns are worth knowing. Women pay less than men at every age because they live longer on average. And every year you wait adds roughly 8–10% to the premium — waiting from 60 to 70 can raise your monthly cost by half for the exact same coverage. Tobacco use raises rates by 30% or more.
The three types of funeral insurance — and which fits you
The biggest mistake buyers make is picking a policy type that doesn’t match their health. There are three, and choosing right can save you money and a two-year wait.
Level (simplified issue).
You answer about 10–15 health questions. If you pass, coverage starts on day one for the full amount. This is the best value and the goal for anyone in reasonable health.
Graded.
For applicants with more serious conditions who don’t qualify for level. The benefit pays out in steps — partial in the first two years, full after — with no medical exam.
Guaranteed issue.
No health questions, no one is declined. Every guaranteed plan carries a two-year waiting period for natural death, and it’s the most expensive per dollar of coverage. Use it only if health rules out the other two.
The takeaway: don’t reach for a guaranteed-acceptance plan out of habit. Many people who assume they’ll be declined actually qualify for level, day-one coverage at a lower price. An agent who works with several carriers can tell you which bucket you fall into before you apply.
A word on those “$9.95 a day” TV ads
You’ve probably seen the guaranteed-acceptance ads promising coverage for a fixed low price. Read the fine print. Those plans are sold in “units,” and for an older buyer, $9.95 can buy as little as $1,000 in coverage — nowhere near a funeral. They’re legitimate policies, but the advertised price rarely reflects the coverage you actually need. Always compare the death benefit, not just the monthly premium.
How North Star helps you choose
At North Star Insurance Advisors, we’re not a carrier — we’re your advocate. We’re independent, so our licensed agents shop all of the companies above (and more) to match your age, health, and budget to the right policy the first time. That means you’re not stuck with whichever carrier happened to run the ad you saw.
Every consultation happens over the phone, and there’s no cost to compare. We’ll tell you honestly whether you qualify for day-one coverage or whether a guaranteed plan makes more sense — and we’ll show you the numbers side by side.
- Speak with a licensed agent and get a free quote
- Compare final expense vs. term life insurance
- Learn about North Star or contact us to get started
Frequently asked questions
Mutual of Omaha ranks as the best overall for most buyers, thanks to competitive pricing, day-one coverage on its level plan, and an A+ financial strength rating. The best company for you depends on your health — Aetna suits tougher health cases, while AARP is strongest for guaranteed acceptance.
Enough to cover your expected funeral plus any final bills. With a median burial running about $8,300, most people choose $10,000 to $15,000. Add more if you want to leave money for medical bills, debts, or a small gift to family.
It depends on the plan. Level (simplified issue) policies pay the full benefit from day one. Guaranteed-acceptance policies carry a two-year waiting period, during which natural death returns your premiums plus 10% rather than the full amount.
Yes. If a level policy declines you, graded or guaranteed-issue plans require no medical exam and few or no health questions. Some carriers, like Aetna, also accept conditions such as diabetes or COPD that others turn down.
No. Every company on this list offers no-exam coverage. You’ll either answer a short health questionnaire or, with guaranteed-acceptance plans, none at all.
Nothing — they’re three names for the same small whole life policy designed to cover end-of-life costs. Carriers and agents use the terms interchangeably.
North Star Insurance Advisors is an insurtech company headquartered in Wentzville, MO. We help families secure final expense protection through independent guidance and licensed agents. Not affiliated with the U.S. government or federal Medicare program.
