Burial insurance is a small whole life policy – usually $5,000 to $50,000 – bought specifically to pay for a burial so your family doesn’t have to. It’s the same product as final expense insurance; "burial insurance" is simply what most people call it when a traditional burial is the plan.
In Los Angeles, that plan is expensive. A funeral with viewing and burial runs $8,000-$15,000 before the cemetery is involved, and plots at well-known LA cemeteries can add $5,000-$25,000 or more. Burial insurance turns that bill into a fixed monthly premium that never goes up, on a policy that never expires.
TermHero compares burial insurance from a dozen-plus carriers so you get the right coverage amount at the lowest rate your health allows. No exam, no pressure, and most applications finish in one phone call.
What a Burial in Los Angeles Actually Costs
Here’s what families typically pay in LA County, so you can size your policy realistically:
- Funeral home basic services fee – $2,000-$3,500
- Casket – $2,000-$5,000 (metal or hardwood); $1,000-$2,000 for a simple model
- Embalming, viewing, and ceremony – $1,500-$3,000
- Hearse and transportation – $400-$800
- Cemetery plot – $3,000-$10,000 at most LA cemeteries; $10,000-$25,000+ at premium locations
- Opening and closing the grave – $1,000-$3,000
- Outer burial container / vault – $1,200-$3,000 (required by most cemeteries)
- Headstone or grave marker – $1,000-$4,000
- Death certificates, obituary, flowers, reception – $500-$2,000
All in, a traditional burial in Los Angeles commonly lands between $12,000 and $25,000. Most of our clients choose $15,000-$25,000 in burial insurance to cover it fully.
Why Buy Burial Insurance?
- Your family isn’t handed a bill at the worst possible time – Funeral homes typically require payment before or at the time of service
- The benefit arrives fast – Paid directly to your beneficiary, usually within days, no probate
- It can be assigned to the funeral home – So the funeral is paid before your family sees an invoice
- Premiums never increase – Your rate is locked at the age you buy
- No medical exam – Health questions only, or none at all with guaranteed acceptance
- It’s available late in life – Most carriers issue burial insurance up to age 85
Burial Insurance vs. Prepaying the Funeral Home
Some LA funeral homes and cemeteries sell pre-need plans. Both approaches work – here’s how they differ:
| Burial Insurance | Pre-Need Funeral Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Who gets the money | Your beneficiary (or funeral home if assigned) | The specific funeral home |
| Locked to one provider | No | Yes |
| Portable if you move | Yes | Often not, or with fees |
| Covers non-funeral costs | Yes – medical bills, debts, travel | No |
| Protection if provider closes | Not an issue | Depends on state trust rules |
| Extra money left over | Goes to family | Usually kept by provider |
Burial insurance keeps your options open. If your family decides on a different funeral home, a different city, or cremation instead, the money follows them.
What Does Burial Insurance Cost?
Sample monthly rates for $20,000 of simplified issue burial insurance, non-smoker:
| Age | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | $45-60 | $55-75 |
| 60 | $55-75 | $65-90 |
| 65 | $65-95 | $80-115 |
| 70 | $85-125 | $105-155 |
| 75 | $115-170 | $145-210 |
Guaranteed acceptance policies (no health questions) run roughly 30-50% higher and carry a two-year graded period. See the full final expense cost guide.
Who Qualifies for Burial Insurance?
- Ages 45-85 (a few carriers issue to 89)
- Most common health conditions accepted with simplified issue
- Serious conditions – dialysis, oxygen, recent cancer, Alzheimer’s – covered through guaranteed acceptance
- No exam, no medical records in most cases
- Smokers accepted at a higher rate
Frequently Asked Questions
Is burial insurance different from final expense insurance? No – they’re the same policy. "Burial insurance" and "funeral insurance" are everyday names; "final expense" is what carriers call it.
How much burial insurance do I need in Los Angeles? $15,000-$25,000 covers a traditional burial for most families. If you already own a plot, $10,000-$15,000 is often enough. If you want to cover medical bills and small debts too, look at $25,000-$35,000.
Can the funeral home be paid directly? Yes. Your beneficiary can sign an assignment at the time of need, or you can name the funeral home as an assignee in advance. Most LA funeral homes accept insurance assignments.
Does burial insurance cover cremation? Yes. The benefit is cash – your family can use it for burial, cremation, or anything else. If cremation is the plan, a smaller cremation insurance policy may be all you need.
Is there a waiting period? Not with simplified issue – coverage is full from day one. Guaranteed acceptance policies have a two-year graded period for natural-cause deaths.
Related Coverage
- Final Expense Insurance – The complete guide to final expense coverage in Los Angeles
- Funeral Insurance – Funeral insurance vs. prepaid plans, and assigning the benefit
- Cremation Insurance – Lower-cost coverage sized for cremation
- Final Expense for Seniors – Options at 60, 70, and 80+
Get a Burial Insurance Quote in Minutes
Find out exactly what $15,000, $20,000, or $25,000 of burial insurance would cost you. Free, no obligation, and no exam.