Burial Insurance After COVID-19 or a Recent Illness (2026 Guide)
Published on March 27, 2020 last updated on July 3, 2026Many people wonder whether COVID-19 affects their ability to get burial insurance, or whether a COVID-related death would be covered. The short answers are reassuring: burial insurance covers death from COVID-19 like any other illness, and having had COVID rarely prevents you from getting covered. Here is what you need to know.
- Burial insurance covers death from COVID-19 just like any other natural cause.
- Having recovered from COVID rarely prevents you from getting covered.
- On a day-one plan, a COVID death is paid in full from the start.
- Carriers may ask if you currently have active COVID or related complications.
- As always, comparing carriers finds the most lenient one for your situation.
Recovering from COVID-19, another respiratory infection, or any recent illness? You can still get burial insurance. This guide explains how carriers view a recent infection, what affects your rate, when a waiting period applies, and how to get covered — whether your concern is COVID or any other health event.
Does burial insurance cover COVID-19 deaths?
Yes. Burial insurance is whole life insurance, and it covers death from any natural cause — including COVID-19 and its complications. On a level (day-one) plan, a death from COVID is paid in full, the same as a death from heart disease, cancer, or any other illness.
If you are on a graded or guaranteed-issue plan during its initial waiting period, a natural-cause death (including COVID) would result in a refund of premiums plus interest rather than the full benefit — but that is true of all natural causes during that window, not COVID specifically.
Can you get burial insurance if you had COVID-19?
In almost all cases, yes. Having recovered from COVID-19 does not prevent you from getting burial insurance. Most carriers treat a past, resolved COVID infection like any other recovered illness — it rarely affects your eligibility or rate.
Where carriers pay closer attention is to active or recent COVID, hospitalization, or lingering complications. If you currently have COVID or are recovering from a serious case, a carrier may ask you to wait until you have recovered before applying for a day-one plan — but a guaranteed-issue plan remains available in the meantime.
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What carriers may ask
Because there is no medical exam, your application is based on health questions. Related to COVID and your overall health, a carrier may ask:
- Do you currently have COVID-19 or symptoms?
- Have you been hospitalized recently for COVID or breathing problems?
- Do you have lingering complications, such as lung or heart issues?
- What other health conditions and medications do you have?
How plan types handle waiting periods
Your plan type — not COVID — determines whether there is a waiting period:
Most people in reasonable health qualify for a level plan with no waiting period, meaning a COVID death (or any natural-cause death) is covered in full from day one.
How to get covered
Getting burial insurance remains fast and easy, COVID or not. The steps are the same: choose a coverage amount, answer a few health questions by phone, and compare carriers to find your lowest rate. If you have fully recovered from COVID, you can typically apply right away and often qualify for day-one coverage.
Because carriers differ in how they handle recent illness, comparing several A-rated companies is the best way to find the one that approves you fastest and at the best rate.
What burial insurance costs by age
Final expense is whole-life coverage priced mainly by your age, coverage amount, gender, and tobacco use. The tables below show the lowest monthly rate available from our carriers for a level (day-one) policy.
Female, non-tobacco — lowest monthly rate
| Age | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $21 | $28 | $35 | $43 |
| 55 | $24 | $34 | $43 | $52 |
| 60 | $29 | $42 | $54 | $66 |
| 65 | $37 | $53 | $68 | $84 |
| 70 | $47 | $68 | $89 | $110 |
| 75 | $62 | $91 | $119 | $148 |
| 80 | $92 | $136 | $179 | $223 |
| 85 | $136 | $202 | $269 | $335 |
Male, non-tobacco — lowest monthly rate
| Age | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $23 | $31 | $40 | $49 |
| 55 | $27 | $38 | $49 | $60 |
| 60 | $35 | $50 | $65 | $80 |
| 65 | $45 | $65 | $85 | $106 |
| 70 | $59 | $86 | $113 | $140 |
| 75 | $80 | $117 | $154 | $192 |
| 80 | $116 | $172 | $228 | $283 |
| 85 | $192 | $287 | $382 | $477 |
Tobacco use: tobacco rates run about 1.3× the non-tobacco rate (roughly 25–35% higher).
Quick math: final expense is priced per $1,000 of coverage, so you can scale any row — a $15,000 policy costs roughly 1.5× a $10,000 policy at the same age.
Rates shown are the lowest available monthly premium for a level (day-one) whole-life final-expense policy from our carriers, for a non-tobacco applicant, quoted June 2026; rates can vary slightly by state, change over time, and your eligibility and final rate are confirmed by the carrier at application. Not an offer of coverage. TheBurialInsurance.com is an independent brokerage; we are compensated by the carriers, never by you.
Frequently asked questions
Will burial insurance pay out if I die from COVID-19?
Can I get burial insurance if I already had COVID?
Do insurers ask about COVID vaccines?
Is there a special waiting period for COVID?
How much coverage do you need?
A good policy covers your final expenses without paying for coverage you do not need. With the average U.S. funeral running $8,000–$12,000 once a cemetery plot and headstone are included, most people land in the $10,000–$15,000 range. A simple way to size yours:
- $5,000–$8,000 — a direct cremation and small memorial.
- $10,000–$12,000 — an average funeral with burial.
- $15,000 — funeral plus a cemetery plot and headstone.
- $20,000–$25,000 — funeral plus leftover medical bills or debts to clear.
Why comparing carriers saves you money
Here is the most valuable thing to understand before you buy: every insurer prices age and health differently, and the same coverage can cost 40% more from one company than another. The carrier that is cheapest for a healthy 60-year-old may be the most expensive for a 78-year-old with diabetes. There is no one-size-fits-all “best” company.
That is why working with an independent agent who shops the whole market beats calling a single 1-800 number from a TV ad. We compare 25+ A-rated carriers for your exact age and health, then bring you the lowest rate you qualify for. It costs nothing, takes a few minutes, and there is no obligation.
How to get started today
Getting covered is fast and simple. There is no medical exam — just a short phone conversation — and many people are approved the same day. The steps:
- Choose a coverage amount that fits your final expenses.
- Answer a few health questions by phone — no exam or blood test.
- Compare quotes from several A-rated carriers for your profile.
- Lock in the lowest rate you qualify for — your premium is fixed for life.
- Name your beneficiary and your coverage begins.
Compare instant quotes from top-rated burial insurance carriers. No medical exam. No pushy sales calls. No obligation.
Reviewed by Phillip Chin, Licensed Insurance Broker · NPN #8895251 · helping families find final expense coverage since 2008. Independent and appointed with 25+ A-rated carriers. Verify at nipr.com.