Also known as burial insurance, final expense insurance costs $30 per month for a 50-year-old woman and $38 for a man at $10,000 in coverage. Age is the biggest pricing factor in our analysis. The same $10,000 policy costs an average of $125 per month for an 80-year-old woman and $164 for an 80-year-old man. Your gender, tobacco use, coverage amount and health history also affect your rates.
Find out if you're overpaying for burial insurance below.
Updated: September 22, 2026
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Age is the largest pricing factor in final expense insurance. A 50-year-old woman pays $30 per month on average. By 80, that same $10,000 policy averages $125 per month, more than four times as much.
Women pay less than men at every age because of longer average life expectancies. At 65, the average pricing gap between men and women is $16 per month for $10,000 in coverage.
Smokers pay more than nonsmokers. A 65-year-old female smoker pays $63 per month on average compared to $50 for a nonsmoker, a 26% increase.
The sharpest rate jump in our data occurs between ages 75 and 80, when average premiums rise 44% for women and 45% for men. Buying before 75 locks in a meaningfully lower rate.
Simplified-issue policies require a short health questionnaire but cost less than guaranteed-acceptance policies and pay the full death benefit from day one.
Select your age, gender, smoking habits and coverage amount to view average life insurance premiums. Rates are calculated based on a 20-year term policy.
Our 2026 rate analysis of quotes across major carriers puts the average cost of final expense life insurance at $30 a month for 50-year-old women and $38 a month for men, based on $10,000 in coverage.
Age, gender, smoking status, the insurer chosen and the coverage amount all shape the actual premium, with age having the biggest influence on price.
40 | $22 | $40 | $58 | $77 |
45 | $28 | $50 | $69 | $86 |
50 | $30 | $56 | $76 | $98 |
55 | $36 | $69 | $89 | $116 |
60 | $42 | $80 | $105 | $136 |
65 | $50 | $97 | $129 | $170 |
70 | $64 | $124 | $167 | $222 |
75 | $87 | $171 | $229 | $301 |
80 | $125 | $246 | $327 | $408 |
85 | $155 | $299 | $460 | $589 |
40 | $25 | $45 | $66 | $87 |
45 | $33 | $62 | $83 | $104 |
50 | $38 | $72 | $96 | $126 |
55 | $46 | $87 | $115 | $154 |
60 | $53 | $101 | $137 | $180 |
65 | $66 | $126 | $168 | $221 |
70 | $84 | $162 | $220 | $298 |
75 | $113 | $220 | $302 | $402 |
80 | $164 | $321 | $424 | $548 |
85 | $203 | $396 | $601 | $801 |
Tobacco use raises the risk of an earlier death, which is why smokers pay more than nonsmokers for final expense insurance. Smoking adds a 27% rate increase for women and 24% for men at $10,000 in coverage for a 50-year-old.
Tobacco use over the past 12 months is the standard lookback window for most insurers, but some check two or three years instead.
Timeframes vary by carrier, so recent quitters should shop around. Nonsmoker rates alone can shave hundreds off an annual bill.
40 | $25 | $45 | $66 | $87 |
45 | $33 | $62 | $83 | $104 |
50 | $38 | $72 | $96 | $126 |
55 | $46 | $87 | $115 | $154 |
60 | $53 | $101 | $137 | $180 |
65 | $66 | $126 | $168 | $221 |
70 | $84 | $162 | $220 | $298 |
75 | $113 | $220 | $302 | $402 |
80 | $164 | $321 | $424 | $548 |
85 | $203 | $396 | $601 | $801 |
40 | $33 | $62 | $92 | $122 |
45 | $40 | $78 | $112 | $148 |
50 | $47 | $91 | $132 | $177 |
55 | $56 | $108 | $159 | $216 |
60 | $66 | $129 | $192 | $261 |
65 | $85 | $168 | $252 | $340 |
70 | $110 | $216 | $331 | $452 |
75 | $150 | $297 | $459 | $621 |
80 | $211 | $418 | $620 | $855 |
85 | $278 | $547 | $854 | $1,224 |
Transamerica, AARP and Mutual of Omaha have the cheapest final expense insurance for women in our analysis, averaging $24 per month for a $10,000 policy. For men, Transamerica, Mutual of Omaha and Americo are the most affordable companies, averaging $31 per month.
The difference between the cheapest and most expensive providers is $22 per month for women and $27 for men, or $264 and $324 per year, respectively. Compare quotes from multiple providers to find your best rate.
AARP | $24 | $45 | $64 | $80 | $96 |
Mutual of Omaha | $24 | $45 | $67 | $88 | $109 |
Transamerica | $24 | $45 | $65 | $86 | $107 |
Americo | $26 | $48 | $70 | $92 | N/A |
Foresters Financial | $26 | $49 | $72 | N/A | N/A |
Liberty Bankers Life | $26 | $48 | $70 | N/A | N/A |
Lincoln Heritage | $26 | $48 | $70 | N/A | N/A |
Aetna | $27 | $51 | $75 | $99 | $123 |
Aflac | $27 | $50 | $73 | $95 | $118 |
American Amicable | $27 | $51 | $75 | $99 | $123 |
American Home Life | $29 | $55 | $80 | $106 | $132 |
USAA | $30 | $60 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Gerber Life | $34 | $68 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Royal Neighbors of America | $34 | $64 | $94 | $124 | N/A |
Fidelity Life | $35 | $60 | $85 | $110 | N/A |
Physicians Mutual | $35 | $68 | $101 | N/A | N/A |
State Farm | $35 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
AIG | $39 | $80 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
AAA | $46 | $77 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Get your real quotes from trusted insurance providers.
*Rates shown are average premiums for 50-year-olds. “N/A” indicates that the company doesn't offer policies at that coverage amount.
Transamerica | $31 | $57 | $84 | $111 | $138 |
Americo | $31 | $58 | $84 | $111 | N/A |
Mutual of Omaha | $31 | $58 | $86 | $113 | $141 |
American Amicable | $32 | $61 | $90 | $119 | $148 |
Foresters Financial | $32 | $61 | $90 | N/A | N/A |
AARP | $33 | $63 | $90 | $115 | $140 |
Lincoln Heritage | $33 | $62 | $90 | N/A | N/A |
Liberty Bankers Life | $33 | $62 | $90 | N/A | N/A |
Aflac | $34 | $63 | $92 | $121 | $151 |
Aetna | $34 | $65 | $96 | $127 | $158 |
American Home Life | $39 | $75 | $111 | $148 | $184 |
Royal Neighbors of America | $39 | $74 | $109 | $144 | N/A |
USAA | $40 | $79 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Physicians Mutual | $41 | $81 | $120 | N/A | N/A |
State Farm | $41 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Fidelity Life | $44 | $78 | $111 | $145 | N/A |
Gerber Life | $44 | $87 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
AIG | $56 | $110 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
AAA | $58 | $104 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Get your real quotes from trusted insurance providers.
*Rates shown are average premiums for 50-year-olds. “N/A” indicates that the company doesn't offer policies at that coverage amount.
Some burial expense insurance companies reduce their maximum coverage as you age. For example, Transamerica allows up to $50,000 through age 55, $40,000 through age 65, $30,000 through age 75 and $25,000 through age 85. Buying earlier gives you access to more coverage.
Rates rise quickly as you get older. Women pay an average of $30 per month for $10,000 in coverage at age 50, compared with $64 at 70 and $155 at 85. Some insurers also reduce maximum coverage limits for older applicants.
Higher death benefits cost more. A 50-year-old woman pays an average of $30 per month for $10,000 in coverage and $98 for $40,000. For men, average rates increase from $38 for a $10,000 policy to $126 for a $40,000 policy.
Women pay less than men because they have longer average life expectancies.
Smoking raises average rates by 27% for 50-year-old women and 24% for men buying $10,000 in coverage. Insurers consider how recently you used tobacco when determining your rates, but the time required to qualify for nonsmoker rates varies. Recent quitters should compare quotes from multiple companies.
Simplified issue insurers ask health questions and offer lower rates to applicants who qualify for better health ratings. Guaranteed issue policies accept applicants without health questions but cost more and include a graded death benefit.
Burial and final expense insurance comes in two main forms. The policy you qualify for affects your premium and when the full death benefit is available.
If your health allows you to qualify, simplified issue coverage has a better combination of price and benefits. Guaranteed acceptance is intended for people who can't qualify for simplified issue coverage due to medical issues.
Your final expense insurance cost depends on when and how you buy the policy. These tips help you get the cheapest final expense insurance for your situation.
Final expense insurance functions as a whole life policy, just with lower coverage levels. Your rate locks in the moment you buy, so waiting longer only raises the price.
Widely different life insurance rates for identical coverage show up across companies. Line up at least three quotes at the same coverage level before deciding.
A short health questionnaire policy costs less than a guaranteed-issue one, so qualifying for the former means a lower premium.
Overbuying is easy to avoid: add up funeral, burial and outstanding debt costs first, then choose a death benefit amount that covers exactly that total.
Premiums climb with tobacco use, and most insurers charge nonsmokers less. Apply after quitting.
Many companies charge less for annual payments than monthly ones. Check with your insurer about that option before setting up payments.
The right coverage amount for you depends on your expected end-of-life costs. Add up estimated funeral and burial costs, outstanding medical bills and any small debts you want covered, then choose a death benefit near that total. The National Funeral Directors Association reports a median funeral and burial cost of $8,300, so a $10,000 policy leaves some room for additional expenses.
Coverage above $25,000 may make sense if you have larger debts or want to leave a small inheritance. A $25,000 policy averages $69 per month for a 50-year-old woman and $89 for a man of the same age.
We answer common questions about burial insurance:
Transamerica, AARP and Mutual of Omaha are the cheapest final expense insurance companies for women, averaging $24 per month for a $10,000 policy. For men, Transamerica, Mutual of Omaha and Americo have the lowest rates of $31 per month for a $10,000 policy.
Yes. Both terms refer to the same product: a small whole life policy designed to cover funeral, burial, and other end-of-life costs. Insurers and agents use them interchangeably.
Not with a whole life policy. Whole life coverage locks in your premium at the rate you qualify for when you apply. It never increases, and coverage doesn't expire as long as you pay premiums. Some term-based burial insurance products can change in cost at renewal, so confirm the policy type before you buy.
You can buy directly through an insurer's website, through a licensed independent agent who quotes multiple companies, or through an agent who works for one company. Most final expense policies don't require a medical exam. Depending on the policy, you'll either answer a short health questionnaire or none at all.
It depends on the policy. Simplified issue final expense policies ask a few health questions and may decline applicants with serious conditions or charge higher rates. Guaranteed issue policies skip health questions entirely and accept all applicants, but cost more and include a waiting period before the full death benefit pays out. If your health condition is manageable and you can answer no to standard underwriting questions, a simplified issue policy will cost less and cover you in full from day one.
Final expense insurance pays a tax-free cash benefit to your beneficiaries, who can use it for funeral costs or other expenses. Pre-need insurance is purchased through a funeral home and pays that business directly for arrangements selected in advance. These plans cost more and tie you to one funeral home, while final expense insurance gives your family more flexibility.
We gathered thousands of final expense quotes across a range of ages, genders, health profiles and coverage amounts. Our baseline is a 50-year-old nonsmoker in average health. All premiums reflect this profile unless a section notes otherwise.
Four underwriting factors affected rate variation in this analysis:
Once analyzed, the full dataset showed how final expense costs shift by age, coverage amount, gender and smoking status. Age works against older buyers, and gender favors women over men. Each section below breaks down these differences, so a rate matching your specific profile is easier to find than relying on a broad average.
Patrick Bryant is the Vertical Lead for Life and Health Insurance at MoneyGeek, where he researches insurance products, writes consumer guides and oversees provider scoring methodologies that are reviewed quarterly to reflect current market conditions and carrier data. He has analyzed more than 50 life insurance carriers across multiple policy types and collected thousands of quotes nationwide to compare pricing, coverage and underwriting requirements.
