Expert Opinion & Commentary When a final expense policy is the right move Written by Karen Terry | Reviewed by Nupur Gambhir Nupur Gambhir Nupur Gambhir is an insurance expert and managing editor of Insure.com. She specializes in life and health insurance content, and has experience as a marketing consultant. | Posted on: July 16, 2025 Why you can trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry. Life insurance is an important part of a solid financial plan, but not everyone has a significant need for it. If you’re retired and past your primary earning years, don’t have a mortgage or other outstanding debts, aren’t saving for college tuition, or aren’t concerned about leaving an inheritance, traditional life insurance may not be necessary. That said, one expense that’s often overlooked, but important to plan for, is the cost of a funeral. End-of-life expenses can be substantial, and paying for them can place a financial strain on families, especially those with limited resources. If covering these costs is your main concern, two insurance options can help: final expense insurance and preneed insurance. Preneed insurance is purchased directly through a funeral home and is intended to cover funeral costs, with benefits paid directly to the funeral provider. Final expense insurance, on the other hand, offers more flexibility — it can be used for funeral costs and other end-of-life expenses, and the payout goes to a beneficiary of your choice. Understanding final expense insurance Final expense policies are designed to provide small amounts of coverage for end-of-life expenses and typically have a face amount (or death benefit) of under $25,000. However, coverage amounts can go as high as $50,000. These policies are permanent whole life insurance, not term, because they’re meant to stay in place for life, ensuring the money is there when it’s needed for funeral expenses. Many seniors worry they won’t qualify for life insurance, especially if they have health issues or preexisting conditions. Final expense insurance is different. These policies are specifically designed for older adults, with minimal underwriting and no medical exam, often just a few basic health questions. Even those with serious health concerns may qualify through guaranteed issue policies, which ask no medical questions. How to buy final expense insurance If final expense sounds like a good option for covering end-of-life expenses, you have a few options for where to buy it. You can purchase final expense insurance directly from some companies through their agents or company call centers. Search for final expense insurance online and follow the instructions on the company websites. Other companies offer final expense insurance through associations such as AARP. There are many different types of life insurance designed to meet specific needs. Final expense insurance can be a good solution for older consumers who want to plan and pay for final arrangements so their loved ones don’t have to. × Get Free Life Insurance Quotes Today! Zip Code Please enter valid zip Age Age 16 – 20 21 – 24 25 – 34 35 – 44 45 – 54 55 – 64 65+ Coverage Amount Coverage Amount $50,000 – $100,000 $100,000 – $200,000 $200,000 – $300,000 $400,000 – $500,000 $500,000 – $1,000,000 $1,000,000 – $2,000,000 $2,000,000 – $5,000,000 $5,000,000+ Coverage Type Coverage Type Whole Life Term Life Final Expense Not Sure Gender Gender Male Female Non-Binary Tobacco Use Yes No Compare Quotes Karen Terry . .Karen Terry leads the Individual Product Research team, developing and implementing LIMRA's research program for individual life, disability, long-term care and critical illness insurance products in the U.S. and Canada. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by outside experts in Insure.com’s “Expert Opinion & Commentary” section reflect those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Insure.com, its parent company QuinStreet Inc. or any of its affiliates and employees. Our editors review these articles and monitor them for accuracy after they've been posted, but the insurance industry sees constant rate changes, regulatory shifts, and other changes. Readers should always check an insurance company's website or contact.