Aetna Burial Insurance Review (2026): Pros, Cons & Rates
Published on June 3, 2026 last updated on July 1, 2026Key takeaways
- Accepts applicants to age 89 with lenient underwriting (no build chart).
- Day-one level coverage when you qualify.
- Especially strong for tougher health — COPD, CHF, diabetes.
- Less competitive in the early 60s; policy arrives in ~3 weeks.
Aetna’s final expense plan — issued through Accendo, part of the CVS Health family — stands out for one thing: lenient day-one underwriting. With two immediate-coverage tiers, many seniors qualify for full coverage from day one even with conditions that would land them in a waiting-period plan elsewhere. It’s A-rated, asks no medical exam, and writes new business up to age 89.
- Financial strength
- A (Excellent), A.M. Best
- Issued by
- Accendo (CVS Health) & Continental Life
- Issue ages
- 40–89 (Accendo)
- Coverage
- $2,000–$50,000
- Medical exam
- None — health questions only
- Waiting period
- None on Preferred/Standard · 2 yrs on Modified
- Included rider
- Accelerated death benefit (free)
- Best for
- Moderate conditions; ages into the late 80s
How Aetna’s final expense plan works
Aetna offers simplified-issue whole life final expense — no medical exam, just health questions — issued through two affiliated companies, Accendo (the CVS Health-branded product) and Continental Life (the Protection Series). Both are whole life: premiums never increase, coverage never expires, and the policy builds cash value.
What sets Aetna apart is its tiering. Where most carriers offer just one day-one (level) plan, Aetna’s Accendo product has two immediate-coverage tiers — Preferred and Standard — plus a Modified tier with a 2-year wait. The practical effect: an applicant with moderate health that another carrier would bump into a graded/waiting-period plan can often still land in Aetna’s Standard tier with full day-one coverage. A free accelerated death benefit rider is included on the immediate tiers, and Aetna Medicare Supplement holders may qualify for an extra discount.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Lenient day-one underwriting — approves immediate coverage for conditions that grade out elsewhere
- Writes to age 89 — one of few carriers covering applicants in their late 80s
- Two immediate tiers for more precise (often lower) pricing
- Backed by CVS Health; A (Excellent) rated
- Free accelerated death benefit rider on immediate plans
- Coverage up to $50,000; premiums locked for life
Trade-offs
- Not always the absolute cheapest — very healthy applicants may beat it with another carrier
- The Modified tier carries a 2-year wait and is rarely worth it vs. guaranteed issue
- Not available in New York
- Brand confusion: paperwork may say “Accendo” or “Continental Life,” not “Aetna”
- Not sold direct — only through a licensed agent
Why Aetna is often the answer for “in-between” health
If your conditions are too involved for the lowest-rate carriers but you don’t want a 2-year waiting period, Aetna is frequently the sweet spot — its Standard tier hands out day-one coverage where stricter carriers won’t. We place Aetna alongside 25+ others, so we can tell you in minutes whether you’ll land in Preferred, Standard, or somewhere cheaper with a different carrier.
Aetna final expense rates
Cost depends on age, gender, coverage, and tobacco use. Below are typical monthly premiums for $10,000 of coverage on the immediate (Level) tier, non-tobacco.
| Age | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $30 | $36 |
| 55 | $34 | $43 |
| 60 | $40 | $52 |
| 65 | $50 | $66 |
| 70 | $68 | $90 |
| 75 | $96 | $128 |
| 80 | $135 | $180 |
Figures are for $10,000 of coverage, non-tobacco; higher coverage scales up proportionally, and tobacco rates run higher. Your exact rate depends on the tier you qualify for.
Who Aetna is best for
Aetna shines for seniors with moderate, managed conditions — and for older applicants, since it writes new coverage up to age 89 when most carriers stop at 80–85. If you’re very healthy, another carrier may edge it on price; if your health is more serious, a guaranteed-issue plan may be the realistic route. We compare all three paths for you. If you’re in New York, Aetna isn’t available and we’ll match you to a carrier that is.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aetna burial insurance good?
Yes — particularly for seniors with moderate health conditions or those in their 80s. Aetna’s lenient underwriting and two immediate-coverage tiers mean many people get day-one coverage that stricter carriers would delay. It’s A-rated and backed by CVS Health.
What’s the difference between Accendo and Continental Life?
Both are Aetna’s final expense issuers. Accendo is the CVS Health-branded product (you’ll see “CVS Health” on the paperwork); Continental Life issues the Protection Series. They differ slightly in underwriting and price — we quote whichever fits you best.
Does Aetna have a waiting period?
Not on the immediate tiers (Preferred and Standard) — those pay the full benefit from day one. Only the Modified tier carries a 2-year waiting period for natural death; accidental death is covered from day one on all tiers.
Can I buy Aetna final expense directly?
No. Aetna doesn’t sell final expense direct to consumers — you apply through a licensed agent, which also lets you compare Aetna against other carriers in one sitting.
Estimates only and not an offer of coverage. Aetna final expense is issued by Accendo Insurance Company and Continental Life Insurance Company and is not available in New York; product features, availability, and rates vary by state and applicant and are confirmed by the carrier at application. TheBurialInsurance.com is an independent brokerage compensated by the carriers, never by you, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency.
Pros
- Accepts applicants to age 89.
- Lenient underwriting, no build chart.
- Day-one level coverage.
Cons
- Less competitive in the early 60s.
- Policy mailing takes ~3 weeks.
- Slower payment redraft.
The bottom line
Aetna (through Accendo) is strong for older applicants and tougher health like COPD, CHF, and diabetes — with day-one coverage when you qualify for a level plan. A top option to compare when health is a factor.
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.