Burial Insurance vs. Term Life Insurance

Two different types of coverage designed for different needs. Here is how they compare and which one is right for you.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Burial Insurance	Term Life Insurance
Type	Whole life (permanent)	Term (temporary)
Duration	Lifetime — never expires	10, 20, or 30 years
Coverage amount	$5,000 - $35,000	$100,000 - $1,000,000+
Affordability	Very affordable (smaller coverage)	Low per-month for high coverage
Medical exam	Not required	Usually required
Rate changes	Never increases	Increases at renewal (or policy ends)
Cash value	Yes (small, grows over time)	No cash value
Best age range	45 - 85	25 - 55
Best for	Funeral costs, seniors, supplemental coverage	Income replacement, mortgage protection, young families
Approval speed	Same day (no exam)	2-6 weeks (exam + underwriting)

When Burial Insurance Is the Better Choice

You are over 50 — Term life becomes expensive or unavailable after 50-60. Burial insurance is designed for this age range.
You only need funeral coverage — If your goal is to cover end-of-life expenses ($10K-$25K), burial insurance gives you exactly that without paying for excess coverage.
You have health conditions — No medical exam means people with diabetes, COPD, heart disease, and other conditions can still get covered.
Your term policy is expiring — Burial insurance is the natural next step when term life runs out.
You want permanent coverage — Burial insurance never expires and your rate never increases. You are covered for life.

When Term Life Is the Better Choice

You are under 45 — Term life is very affordable when you are young and healthy.
You need large coverage — If your family depends on your income, you may need $250K-$500K+ in coverage that only term life provides affordably.
You have a mortgage — A 20-year term policy can match your mortgage length and protect your family from losing their home.
You are in excellent health — If you can pass a medical exam with flying colors, you may get better rates on term life.

The Common Scenario: Term Life Expires at 65

This is one of the most common situations we see. You bought a 20-year term policy at age 45. At 65, your term expires. You now face two options: renew at dramatically higher rates (often 5-10x your original premium) or go without coverage.

Burial insurance solves this problem. You lock in an affordable rate that never changes, and your coverage lasts for life. Most people in this situation choose $10,000-$20,000 in burial insurance — enough to cover funeral costs and leave a small cushion for their family.

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Burial Insurance vs. Term Life FAQ

Can I have both burial insurance and term life?

Yes, and many people do. Term life covers your family's income needs while you are working, and burial insurance specifically covers end-of-life costs. When your term policy expires, your burial insurance continues for life.

Which is cheaper — burial insurance or term life?

Term life insurance has lower monthly premiums per dollar of coverage because it only lasts a set period. However, burial insurance is more affordable in total because coverage amounts are much smaller ($5K-$35K vs. $100K+). For someone only needing funeral coverage, burial insurance is the better value.

What happens when term life expires?

When your term ends (typically at age 70-80), your coverage stops completely. You would need to reapply at your current age, which means much higher rates — or you may not qualify at all due to age or health. Burial insurance avoids this problem because it never expires.

Is burial insurance whole life or term?

Burial insurance is whole life insurance. It never expires, your rate never increases, and it builds a small cash value over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over term life for older adults.

At what age should I switch from term to burial insurance?

If your term policy is expiring and you primarily need coverage for funeral costs, burial insurance is the logical next step. Many people make this transition in their 50s-60s. The sooner you lock in a burial insurance rate, the lower your lifetime cost.