Transamerica Burial Insurance Review (2026): Honest Look

Transamerica is one of the largest and most established life insurers in the country, and its final expense whole life policies are widely sold. With day-one coverage options, flexible amounts, and no medical exam, it is a solid middle-of-the-road choice. Here is our honest, independent review.

Transamerica at a glance

Transamerica has been in business for over a century and is part of a large global insurer. Its final expense whole life lineup includes an immediate plan with day-one full coverage for healthier applicants and a graded plan for those with more health history. There is no medical exam, and coverage amounts are flexible.

Transamerica pros

• ✓Large, financially strong, long-established insurer
• ✓Immediate day-one coverage for healthier applicants
• ✓Flexible coverage amounts
• ✓Accepts many common health conditions
• ✓No medical exam

Transamerica cons

• ✕Graded plan (two-year wait) for more serious conditions
• ✕Competitive but not always the absolute lowest
• ✕Some plans are agent-sold only

Transamerica plans and coverage

Transamerica’s final expense whole life includes an immediate plan with day-one full coverage for those who qualify, and a graded plan that phases the benefit in over about two years for applicants with more health history. Coverage is flexible, with some plans reaching about $50,000, and issue ages run up to 85.

Who is Transamerica best for?

Transamerica is a solid, middle-of-the-road choice for most seniors — especially if you want a well-known insurer with flexible coverage amounts and day-one coverage when you are in decent health.

Is Transamerica your cheapest option?

It can be competitive, but it is rarely the single cheapest for every profile. For a healthy applicant, a specialist carrier may price lower. We compare Transamerica against 25+ carriers so you can see exactly where it lands for your age and health.

How we shop Transamerica for you

We are an independent agency, not Transamerica. That means we are not trying to sell you one company’s policy — we compare Transamerica against 25+ other A-rated carriers and recommend whichever one gives you the best combination of price and easy approval. Because every insurer underwrites age and health differently, the only way to know whether Transamerica is your best deal is to compare. It is free, takes a few minutes, and there is no obligation.

Transamerica burial insurance: frequently asked questions

How much does Transamerica cost?

Your Transamerica premium depends on your age, gender, tobacco use, and which plan you qualify for. Final expense rates do not vary dramatically between A-rated carriers, but small differences add up over the life of a policy. Here is roughly what a non-smoker can expect to pay each month for a $10,000 whole life policy:

If you qualify only for a graded or guaranteed-issue plan, expect to pay somewhat more than the figures above. Tobacco use also raises the rate. The only way to know your true Transamerica cost is to get a real quote and compare it against other carriers.

How Transamerica compares to other carriers

No single company is the cheapest or the best for everyone — and that includes Transamerica. Each insurer underwrites age and health differently, so the carrier that gives you the lowest rate depends entirely on your personal profile. A 60-year-old non-smoker, a 78-year-old with diabetes, and a 70-year-old smoker could each find a different “best” carrier.

That is the core reason to compare rather than commit to one brand. We line up Transamerica against 25+ other A-rated carriers for your exact situation and show you, side by side, which one wins on price and approval. Transamerica may well be your best option — but you will only know once it has been measured against the field.

How to apply for Transamerica (and get the best rate)

• ✓Have your details ready — date of birth, medications, and any major diagnoses or hospitalizations.
• ✓Choose your coverage amount — most people pick $10,000–$15,000 to cover a funeral plus a cushion.
• ✓Answer the health questions honestly — accuracy routes you to the right plan and protects your beneficiary’s claim.
• ✓Compare Transamerica against other carriers before you sign — it is the only way to confirm you are getting the lowest rate.
• ✓Apply sooner rather than later — rates rise with age and your premium locks in for life the day you are approved.

How much coverage do you need?

Whichever carrier you choose, size your policy to your real final expenses. With the average funeral running $8,000–$12,000 once cemetery costs are included, most people land in the $10,000–$15,000 range:

• ✓$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.

Phillip's Take

Transamerica is a big, established name with a decent product, but in my comparisons they are seldom the cheapest option for final expense. A brand name alone should not decide your policy. Compare them against the full market first.

Transamerica: the bottom line

Transamerica is a legitimate, financially sound choice for final expense coverage — but “legitimate” and “best for you” are not the same thing. The right policy is the one that approves you at the lowest price for your specific age and health, and that varies from person to person.

Before you buy Transamerica (or any single carrier), take a few minutes to compare. It is free, there is no obligation, and it is the only way to be sure you are not leaving money on the table. We are happy to run that comparison and show you exactly where Transamerica lands.