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Burial insurance calculator

Work out how much final-expense coverage your family actually needs — and roughly what it costs per month — before you talk to an agent.

How much burial insurance you need equals the funeral you want minus what's already set aside — usually $5,000–$25,000 of coverage. A final-expense whole-life policy for $10,000 of coverage commonly costs around $40–$60 a month for a healthy person in their 50s and $80–$130 in their 70s, with women paying less than men at the same age.

1. Your coverage gap

Final-expense insurance is meant to cover what your family would otherwise pay out of pocket. Start with the funeral cost, subtract what's already set aside.

Not sure what a funeral costs? Estimate it first.

2. About you
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Common questions

How much burial insurance do I need?
Enough to cover what your family would otherwise pay out of pocket. Start from the cost of the funeral you want — nationally $1,000–$3,000 for a direct cremation, or $7,000–$12,000 for a traditional burial — and subtract savings or any existing policy. The difference is your coverage gap. Most final-expense policies are sold between $5,000 and $25,000.
How much does final expense insurance cost per month?
It depends mostly on age, sex, coverage amount, and tobacco use. As a rough guide, $10,000 of coverage might run $40–$60/month for a healthy person in their 50s, $80–$130 in their 70s, and more after that. Women generally pay less than men at the same age, and tobacco use raises the rate substantially.
Is burial insurance the same as prepaying a funeral?
No. Burial insurance is a small whole-life policy that pays cash to whoever you name, who can spend it however they wish. A prepaid (preneed) plan locks in services with a specific funeral home at today's prices. Each has trade-offs around portability, price locks, and what happens if you move or the home closes — see our comparison of the two.
Are these numbers a quote?
No. The premiums here are illustrative national averages for a final-expense whole-life policy, meant to help you plan. Your real rate is set by the insurer based on your age, health, state, and the exact product — get an actual quote before relying on any figure.

Calla is not an insurer or licensed agent. Figures are illustrative national averages for general guidance only — not a quote, an offer of insurance, or financial advice. Compare real quotes from a licensed agent before buying. See also prepaid funeral vs. final expense insurance.