Key takeaways
State Farm is our top pick for customer satisfaction, and American Family is a good choice if you’re hoping to save by bundling insurance policies.
AARP is worth looking into if you’re over 50, while Mutual of Omaha is open to applicants as young as 45.
Consider Ethos if you want burial insurance right away.
Reviewed monthly. Last updated: December 2025.
If you want to buy life insurance as a way to cover your funeral costs, medical bills and other end-of-life expenses, look into burial insurance. Also known as final expense insurance, these policies are designed for seniors who need only a small amount of coverage, and not all insurers offer them.
To narrow down the list of the best burial insurance policies, our experts analyzed age and state availability, policy features and added value — such as free life insurance riders. We also looked at payment options and the amount of coverage you can buy, which typically starts at $1,000 and maxes out at $50,000 for this type of life insurance.
» MORE: Is burial insurance worth it?
The best burial insurance companies of 2026
Insurer | NerdWallet rating | Age eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
Best for customer satisfaction | Issue age: 45 to 80 (50 to 75 in NY). | ||
Best for seniors | Issue age: 50 to 85 in most states (50 to 75 in NY). | ||
Best for bundling | Issue age: 50 to 80. | ||
Best for instant coverage | Issue age: 50 to 80. | ||
Best for accessibility | Issue age: 45 to 85 (50 to 75 in NY). | ||
NerdWallet rates insurers at the company level, not the policy level. This means our star rating reflects the company as a whole, and not its burial insurance policy specifically. | |||
Best for customer satisfaction: State Farm
Why State Farm made the list: If reliable support is a top priority for you, this insurer has an excellent reputation for customer service.
Rating Breakdown
Financial strength rating
Exceptional
Online purchase
No
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Policies offered
Term, permanent & no-exam
About State Farm burial insurance
State Farm consistently ranks near the top of J.D. Power’s annual customer satisfaction study for individual life insurance.
State Farm’s burial insurance policy earns cash value over time. Once you’ve built up enough, you can take out loans or withdraw money from that fund during your lifetime. Since State Farm is a mutual company, your policy might also pay out dividends based on financial performance.
Policy name: Guaranteed Issue Final Expense Life Insurance (known as $10,000 Whole Life in New York).
Coverage amount: $10,000 ($15,000 in some states).
Age eligibility: 45 to 80 (50 to 75 in New York).
Online experience: You can get a quote for burial insurance on State Farm’s website and you may even be able to buy a policy online. But if you’d like to secure a discount for bundling with auto insurance, you’ll want to connect with your local agent.
What to know about applying for a policy: Guaranteed issue life insurance means there’s no medical exam and you’re guaranteed to be approved for coverage, usually on the same day you apply. However, State Farm isn’t offering policies to new customers in Massachusetts or Rhode Island.
Where this insurer stands out: If you already have auto insurance through State Farm, you might be eligible for a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy. This is referred to as “bundling” and several of the largest national insurers offer this perk to policyholders.
» Read full review: State Farm life insurance
Best for seniors: AARP
Why AARP made the list: Guaranteed issue policies are available to AARP members and their spouses. The insurer also has a relatively low complaint volume.
Rating Breakdown
Financial strength rating
Exceptional
Online purchase
No
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Policies offered
Term, permanent & no-exam
About AARP burial insurance
Open to AARP members via a partnership with New York Life, this policy is a type of group life insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam. Even as a senior, you’re guaranteed to be accepted as long as you’re an AARP member who meets the age requirements, and coverage typically lasts your entire life.
Policy name: Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance.
Coverage amount: Up to $30,000 ($25,000 in some states). You may be able to request a higher coverage amount by calling New York Life on 1-800-607-6957.
Age Eligibility: Typically 50 to 85 (50 to 80 in some states; 50 to 75 in NY)
Online experience: AARP’s website is fairly transparent about burial insurance policy details such as coverage amounts, age eligibility and more. You can get an online quote but you’ll need to connect with a New York Life agent to purchase a policy.
What to know about applying for a policy: In most states, AARP also allows members’ spouses who are 45 to 85 (or 80 in some states) to apply for a policy. In New York, the age eligibility for spouses is slightly different: 50 to 75. Note that AARP’s burial insurance is not available in New Jersey and non-members in Arkansas, Louisiana and Oregon might not qualify for coverage.
Where this insurer stands out: Issued through New York Life, AARP’s coverage amounts are generous for burial insurance policies. Additionally, qualifying applicants can request even higher amounts with a phone call.
» Read full review: AARP/New York Life insurance
Best for bundling: American Family
Why American Family made the list: This insurer allows you to bundle life insurance with other insurance products and possibly save money.
Rating Breakdown
Financial strength rating
Strong
Online purchase
No
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Policies offered
Term, permanent & no-exam
About American Family burial insurance
American Family received fewer complaints than expected for a company of its size, making it a trustworthy choice. The company sells a range of insurance products, including auto, property and business insurance.
In some cases, you can bundle your policies and save money. But keep in mind that American Family insurance coverage isn’t available in every state.
Policy name: DreamSecure Senior Whole Life Insurance.
Age eligibility: 50 to 80.
Coverage amount: $10,000 or $15,000.
Online experience: American Family provides partial details about final expense policies on the website. If you live in a state that American Family serves, you can get a quote for burial insurance online. However, to purchase a policy, you’ll have to contact the company.
What to know about applying for a policy: While you won’t need a medical exam, note that American Family’s insurance isn’t available in every state. Currently, the company services these states: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Where this insurer stands out: American Family offers a multi-policy discount for bundling life and auto insurance. The discount amount isn’t specified so you’ll have to get a quote to find out.
» Read full review: American Family insurance
Best instant coverage: Ethos
Why Ethos made the list: You can be approved within minutes of applying and coverage starts as soon as you make your first payment.
Rating Breakdown
Financial strength rating
Strong
Online purchase
Yes
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Policies offered
Term, permanent & no-exam
About Ethos burial insurance
Ethos’ whole life application takes ten minutes to complete and coverage goes into effect once you pay the first premium, making this policy ideal for those who need coverage quickly.
Policy name: Guaranteed Issue Whole Life.
Coverage amount: $2,000 to $25,000.
Age eligibility: 45 to 80.
Online experience: As you might expect from an online insurer, Ethos website is easy to navigate and offers the ability to get a quote and purchase a policy online. The Ethos app offers some estate planning tools, but directs policyholders to the online portal to manage their life insurance.
What to know about applying for a policy: You’ll be offered a quote in minutes and won’t be required to take a medical exam to qualify. Just keep in mind Guaranteed Issue Whole Life from Ethos is not available in New York.
Where this insurer stands out: In addition to helping people secure final expense coverage quickly online with little fuss, Ethos allows you to stop paying premiums at age 100, and the coverage stays intact.
» Read full review: Ethos life insurance
Best for accessibility: Mutual of Omaha
Why Mutual of Omaha made the list: Most burial insurance policies are open only to seniors 50 and older, but Mutual of Omaha allows 45-year-olds to buy coverage.
Rating Breakdown
Financial strength rating
Exceptional
Online purchase
No
NAIC complaints
Close to expected
Policies offered
Term & permanent
About Mutual of Omaha burial insurance
Mutual of Omaha is a mutual company so permanent policyholders may be eligible for dividends. The insurer also says it pays most claims within 24 hours, which can help your loved ones cover funeral costs and any other immediate expenses when you die.
Additionally, Mutual of Omaha snagged top honors for customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power’s 2025 Individual Life Insurance Survey.
Policy name: Guaranteed Plus Whole Life Insurance
Coverage amount: $2,000 to $25,000 ($5,000 to $25,000 in Washington).
Age eligibility: 45 to 85 (50 to 75 in New York).
Online experience: Mutual of Omaha’s site has a fair amount of information about its guaranteed issue whole life policies, including price estimates. Once you become a policyholder, you can manage your policy and change beneficiaries through Mutual of Omaha’s online portal.
What to know about applying for a policy: Guaranteed issue policies don’t require a medical exam, and the company provides online quotes and applications for this type of policy. Just note Mutual of Omaha doesn’t sell life insurance in New York.
Where this insurer stands out: Mutual of Omaha’s broad issue age range means you can get a policy when you’re younger and rates are likely to be cheaper. You can buy as little as $2,000 in coverage — making this option good for those who don’t need too much life insurance.
» Read full review: Mutual of Omaha life insurance
How we rate the best life insurance companies
✅ 445 life insurers reviewed
📝 210 policies assessed
🔢 1,515 data points analyzed
📊 Star rating categories
When NerdWallet evaluates life insurance companies, our editorial team considers the insurer's strengths and weaknesses, as well as the things that matter most to customers buying a long-term financial product. We then weigh these factors carefully:
💰 Financial strength (35%). We use AM Best ratings to confirm an insurer’s financial stability and ability to pay claims far into the future. The top life insurance companies have an exceptional financial strength rating of A+ or A++ (Superior).
🗣️ Consumer complaints (35%). Our top-rated life insurance companies have fewer than the expected number of complaints to state regulators over a three-year period, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners — so you can expect a smoother customer experience.
☎️ Consumer experience (20%). Insurers who allow consumers to contact them by email, phone and live chat earn the highest scores. The same goes for insurers who support online quotes, beneficiary changes and claims.
👀 Transparency (10%). Our methodology gives higher scores to transparent insurers who clearly display information about their policy options, coverage amounts and term lengths (if applicable) on their site.
⭐ What our star ratings mean
Companies with 5 stars are exceptional, with strong financials, diverse policy lineups and great reputations for customer service.
Companies with 4.5 stars are excellent, with solid financials and policy offerings, and good customer service track records.
Companies with 4.0 stars are good, and potentially great for people looking for niche coverage options.
Companies with 3.5 stars or fewer could do better in certain categories, like financial strength and customer complaints.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings or our reviews. Read more about our life insurance ratings methodology and editorial guidelines.
What is a burial insurance policy?
Burial policies cover end-of-life expenses, like funerals or pending medical bills. These policies are relatively small, usually in the $1,000 to $50,000 range.
Is burial insurance worth it?
Burial insurance can be worth it if you’re looking for a way to cover funeral and other final expenses through life insurance. Because life insurance payouts don’t generally get held up in probate court as part of an estate, they can be quickly available to your beneficiaries to pay burial or funeral costs and outstanding medical bills.
However these burial life insurance policies usually offer $50,000 of coverage or less which means they aren’t intended to replace income or address any long-term financial needs of your loved ones.
How much is burial insurance?
Burial insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam can be more expensive per dollar of coverage than many other life insurance policies. For instance, a healthy 50-year-old woman might pay about $360 a year for $10,000 in guaranteed issue life insurance, according to data from Choice Mutual, a brokerage specializing in burial insurance coverage. To compare, a $500,000 whole life policy would cost her about $7,782 — more than 20 times as much per year but for 50 times as much coverage.
Pros
- No medical exams.
- Most policies are guaranteed issue.
- Affordable premiums.
Cons
- Lower coverage amounts.
- Long waiting periods are common.
- May not be necessary if you already have life insurance.
Alternatives to the best burial insurance
Final expense policies are designed to help you cover the costs of your own funeral and burial, but they’re expensive and capped at small amounts so they don’t suit everyone. If you crunch the numbers and decide you need more life insurance, you can apply for a traditional term life insurance or whole life insurance policy.
More about top-rated life insurance companies
Looking for a specific type of life insurance policy? Check out NerdWallet’s top picks across these categories:
Frequently asked questions
Does final expense insurance require a medical exam?
Does final expense insurance require a medical exam?
Final expense or burial insurance usually takes the form of a guaranteed issue, whole life insurance policy. These types of policies are for older adults and have smaller coverage amounts, but they don’t require a medical exam or any health questions. As long as you meet the age eligibility requirements and can afford the higher premiums, you qualify for a guaranteed issue policy.
What is the cheapest burial insurance?
What is the cheapest burial insurance?
The cheapest burial insurance will depend on your needs and health. While many policies can be issued with no medical questions or exams, they're usually much more expensive. The best way to get cheap life insurance coverage for any type of policy is to shop around.
Is funeral expense insurance the same as burial insurance?
Is funeral expense insurance the same as burial insurance?
Funeral expense insurance is not the same as burial or final expense insurance. Funeral expense insurance is sold by funeral homes to cover the cost of pre-selected funeral arrangements. This means when you die, the money goes to the funeral home as the sole beneficiary.
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.J.D. Power. J.D. Power 2025 Individual Life Insurance Satisfaction Study. Accessed Dec 17, 2025.
