What does the average funeral cost? See a breakdown of average funeral costs and services, including cremation, burial, embalming, and more, plus FAQs.
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What is Burial or Funeral Insurance & How Does it Work? Burial insurance, also called funeral or final expense or funeral insurance,is a helpful tool for loved ones paying for a departed family member or friend’s funeral, memorial service, headstone, urn, and other final expenses. It is essentially a life insurance policy, but with a [...]
The average cremation cost is between $4,000 and $7,000 depending on the type of cremation. Direct cremation costs between $2,000 and $5,000. Funeral costs are rising and more people are turning to cremation instead of burials to save money. But many don’t realize a cremation can cost as much as a burial once all of [...]
When it comes to financial protection for your family, life insurance is one of the best choices you can make. But life insurance isn’t an easy topic to discuss, even among close family, and it’s a subject we often overlook or avoid altogether. If you already have it, be sure to have a conversation with [...]
If you don’t know your options, it can be discouraging to look for life insurance when you’re older than 50. It’s a commonly held belief that insurance over 50 is expensive and difficult to get. But the truth is, it is possible to find an affordable insurance policy, even when you have health concerns, that [...]
If you’re considering planning for your funeral ahead of time, you’re making a smart choice; doing so can save your family both money and decision-making during an emotional period. Luckily, there are many options available when it comes to planning your funeral in advance. We’ll cover the two main options: pre-need plans and final expense [...]
Setting aside money to take care of any large expected expense is a smart thing to do, and a funeral is no different. The key is to understand how pre-paid funeral plans work. More and more people are pre-planning their funerals to save loved ones the stress of having to do it during such an [...]
Life insurance is one of the most trusted ways to provide for loved ones after you’ve passed. But deciding which policy is right for you can be challenging. What kind of senior life insurance should you have? How much is enough? What’s the best life insurance to have at your age? Life insurance for seniors [...]
What is Burial or Funeral Insurance for Seniors? Burial insurance, also known as funeral or final expense insurance, is a great life insurance option for seniors. It helps pay for funeral related costs to help ease financial and planning burdens for loved ones. Plans range in price from about $18 to $286 per month for [...]
Can You Get Life Insurance for Your Parents? Yes, you can purchase life insurance for your parents to help cover their final expenses. It offers some peace for your family during this difficult time. In order to buy a policy on a parent, you will need their consent along with proof of insurable interest. The [...]
What is the Funeral Consumer Guardian Society®? Every Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage® policy comes with a free membership to the Funeral Consumer Guardian Society®, an independent consumer advocate organization founded in 2000 to provide professional guidance to member families during the funeral planning process. The FCGS ensures families have the information they need to make [...]
Planning a funeral can seem complicated and feel overwhelming, and it usually happens during a very emotional time. A good checklist can help get you over the rough spots and make the process a little easier. Table of Contents Make an itemized list of tasks that need to be completed Call family and friends Check [...]
Veterans have made many sacrifices for a cause that requires an immense amount of perseverance and dedication. Whether they pass away in combat or in old age, family and friends often want to plan a burial that’s as dignified as they were. Creating a memorial that commemorates their life, while also celebrating their service, is [...]
When a loved one dies, grieving family members are left with countless decisions to make about the funeral – all of which need to be made quickly. These include: What kind of funeral should it be? Which funeral home should we use? How much should we spend? Is there anything we need to buy besides [...]
The practice of cremation has become as common as “traditional” burial in the United States. In fact, today, more than half of Americans choose cremation. By 2035, the National Funeral Directors Association estimates this figure will top 78 percent. This rise in cremation procedures is a result of factors such as: Reduced religious affiliation: Less [...]
Life insurance can be a difficult topic. The subject is complicated, the options are many, and we often feel uncomfortable planning for the end of life. In addition, while most people recognize the value of life insurance, many are unsure about which type is best for them. One common question people have is, “What [...]
Everyone handles grief differently. There is no right or wrong way to work through the pain of coming to the end of one’s life. This is especially true for someone suffering with Alzheimer’s disease, a neurological disorder where the death of brain cells results in memory loss and impaired cognitive functioning. You must have a [...]
When a loved one passes away, the last thing on your mind should be how you’re going to pay for the funeral. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for many families. Fees vary based on geography and individual choices, but when you add it all up, the average funeral costs between $7,000 and $10,000. Some examples [...]
Planning a funeral for a loved one will be one of the hardest experiences you will ever have to face. This challenge can be made more complex, and more emotionally and physically exhausting, if you are making arrangements from afar. You’ve been a long-distance caregiver for a while now, and you are used to caring [...]
When shopping for life insurance, you’ll find that some insurance providers ask you to take an extensive medical exam – while others simply ask a few health questions. Regardless of the approach they take, insurance providers are simply trying to determine how much risk you’d present if you took out a policy with them. As [...]
The decision between cremation vs burial is a very personal one, often involving faith, family tradition, and personal beliefs. Cost can also be a consideration because there is a substantial difference between cremation costs and burial costs. Many people think of cremation as the cheaper option, but the cost of cremation vs burial can be [...]
When someone you love has died, the process of getting all of the paperwork together and planning the service can be overwhelming. What do you do first? Who should you call? Our checklist can help you with the decisions that need to be made before and after the funeral. Table of Contents Before the funeral [...]
Selecting the right life insurance agent is an important first step in ensuring you have someone on your side as you go through the world of insurance. Treat the search for an insurance agent as you would treat a search for a doctor or lawyer: seek multiple opinions and don’t settle for someone you’re not [...]
Not all life insurance policies require a medical exam. Smaller policies – like final expense insurance (also known as “burial insurance” or “funeral insurance”) – typically only require answers to health questions. These no medical exam policies are a great tool for those with health concerns who want to give their loved ones support in [...]
Preparing for a funeral may seem intimidating, but making your plans and wishes in advance allows you to decide on the specific items you want and need. Because funeral expenses can place a financial burden on families, comparing prices for services and products ahead of time can significantly reduce the burden on your loved ones. [...]