Most people don’t think of death in terms of their funeral and the costs associated, and often leave family members unprepared for the costs. Some life insurance policies will include death benefits that can be used towards funeral and final expenses. When choosing a life insurance policy, if you already hold life insurance, ask your agent about adding death benefits to your policy. The main importance is to get something in place now. The burden that a funeral and final expenses can have on the loved ones left behind can be overwhelming.
If you don’t carry or cannot carry life insurance or you want to carry separate insurance for end of life expenses, there are two funeral life insurance policies that are specifically designed to relieve your loved ones of this expense in their time of grief. Burial insurance and preneed funeral insurance. These life insurance types allow you to finance your funeral in advance, but there are some differences between the two you need to understand before deciding on which will best suit you and your family’s needs.
Burial Insurance
Burial insurance is a policy designed to cover your funeral or cremation expenses when you die. Burial insurance policies can vary between companies that offer life insurance, and like other life insurance policies, it comes in both term and whole life. Generally, death benefits for burial insurance are low, ranging anywhere between $5,000 up to $25,000.
Burial life insurance pays the death benefit directly to your beneficiary. It can then be used to finance your funeral and cover other final expenses in any way the beneficiary chooses. If they receive a higher benefit than the funeral cost, it is up to their discretion on how they use the remaining amount. It is often used to pay debts left behind or other final expenses.
Preneed Funeral Insurance
Preneed funeral insurance is also designed to finance your funeral before your death, similar to burial insurance. The main difference is that the funeral costs are predetermined, including services, merchandise, and church and burial services. It can also protect the costs from going up on the funeral expenses. These expenses are a locked-in, negotiated cost at the time of the insurance purchase.
Another difference from burial insurance is that instead of paying your beneficiary benefits when you die, the money goes directly to the funeral service provider of your choosing. This policy is paid in full once the negotiated amount is met through premiums, and the policy remains in effect for the entirety of your life. This policy will relieve your loved ones of the funeral costs and stresses.
Conclusion
The arrangements are premade, which leaves little to deal with for those left behind after your death. However, there is no additional death benefit that can go towards final expenses or unpaid debt.
Both burial and preneed funeral insurance are beneficial to your loved ones after your death. It would be best if you determined which would better benefit them by deciding whether you will leave behind debt or other expenses or not. You also can prepay and plan your funeral directly with the funeral home of your choosing. This option would be similar to preneed funeral insurance. Instead of the funeral home receiving the payment at the time of your death, you will pay the costs in full directly to the funeral home, who will execute your plans once you’ve passed. Whatever option you choose, financing your funeral before your death is a great relief to your loved ones once you are gone.
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