Burial Insurance With Pre-Existing Conditions (2026 Guide)
Published on December 26, 2018 last updated on July 3, 2026A pre-existing condition does not mean you cannot get burial insurance — it just affects which plan you qualify for. The vast majority of people with health conditions get covered, often with day-one coverage. This guide explains how underwriting works, which conditions affect your options, and how to get approved at the best rate.
- Pre-existing conditions rarely prevent coverage — they affect the plan type.
- Many common conditions still qualify for day-one level plans.
- Serious conditions are covered by guaranteed-issue plans that accept everyone.
- There is no medical exam — just health questions.
- Each carrier underwrites conditions differently, so comparing is essential.
Can you get burial insurance with pre-existing conditions?
Almost always, yes. Burial insurance is designed for seniors, and seniors have health conditions — carriers expect that. A pre-existing condition very rarely makes coverage impossible. Instead, it determines which of the three plan types you qualify for: level, graded, or guaranteed issue.
In fact, many common conditions still qualify for a level plan with full day-one coverage. Only more serious or recent conditions move you to a graded or guaranteed-issue plan — and even then, coverage is always available.
Conditions that usually still qualify for day-one coverage
You do not need perfect health. The following common conditions typically still qualify for a level (day-one) plan with the right carrier:
- Controlled high blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Well-managed Type 2 diabetes (even many insulin users)
- An older cancer history (treatment ended 2–3+ years ago)
- Stable heart disease with no recent event
- AFib, sleep apnea, or a controlled thyroid condition
- Mild, controlled asthma or acid reflux
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Conditions that may mean a graded or guaranteed plan
More serious or recent conditions may move you to a graded plan (about a two-year phase-in) or a guaranteed-issue plan (guaranteed acceptance, two-year waiting period):
- A heart attack, stroke, or stent within the last 1–2 years
- Current or very recent cancer treatment
- COPD requiring oxygen
- Congestive heart failure
- Kidney failure / dialysis
- Dementia or Alzheimer’s
Remember: even these conditions do not prevent coverage. A guaranteed-issue plan accepts everyone, so no one is left without an option.
How underwriting actually works
Because there is no medical exam, your approval depends entirely on a short list of health questions answered by phone. The insurer uses your answers — along with a prescription-history check — to decide which plan to offer. Honesty matters: accurate answers route you to the right carrier and protect your beneficiary’s claim.
How to get approved at the best rate
The key to getting covered with a pre-existing condition is matching your specific health profile to the most lenient carrier. The steps:
- List your conditions and medications so you can be matched accurately.
- Compare several A-rated carriers — their rules vary widely by condition.
- Apply where you are most likely to get day-one coverage, not just the first ad you see.
- Answer every health question honestly to keep your approval and rate secure.
- Apply sooner — a new health event can change your options, so locking in now protects you.
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
Can I be denied burial insurance for a pre-existing condition?
Will a pre-existing condition raise my premium?
Is there a waiting period with pre-existing conditions?
Do I have to take a medical exam?
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.