Consumer Resources Archive

Cremation vs Burial – Which Is Best for You?

The decision to be cremated or buried 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. When you choose cremation, you’re paying not only for the cremation itself but also your choice of [...]

What to do When a Spouse or Loved One Dies

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 [...]

How to Select a Life Insurance Agent

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 [...]

Life Insurance Exam – Do I Have to Take One? What It Involves, FAQs

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. For larger policies – like term insurance – several factors determine whether a life insurance exam is required. These can include the consumer’s [...]

Funeral Planning Checklist: Pre-Plan Your Funeral Service Arrangements

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. [...]

Guide to Green Burial – A Natural Approach to Funerals

Environmental stewardship doesn’t need to stop at the end of life. Many people have begun viewing their final wishes through a green lens, taking the opportunity to help protect the environment when they pass away. This natural approach to funerals has led to an increase in green burial cemeteries, green burial caskets, and even green [...]

What Kind of Life Insurance Should I Get?

You’ve settled down. You and your significant other left the apartment life behind and bought your first house. You both have careers, but maybe one of you wants to stay home now that there’s a baby in the house. And your old compact car wouldn’t accommodate a proper child seat, so there’s a new, safer [...]

Whole-Life-vs-Term-Life-Which-Type-of-Insurance-Is-Right-for-You?

Term Life vs Whole Life Insurance: Pros and Cons

What Is the Key Difference Between Term Life & Whole Life Insurance? Term life and whole life insurance are both insurance policies that allow you to leave a cash benefit for your beneficiaries after you pass. Term life is a temporary insurance policy that is less expensive but has an expiration date. Whole life insurance [...]

Grandfather holding grandson facing the sun in a wheat field

Complete Guide to Paying for a Funeral

It’s easy to put off thinking about paying for something that seems so far in the future. After all, there always seem to be competing needs– perhaps retirement funds, college tuition, home renovation, or paying off debt. But thinking ahead about how you’re going to pay for your funeral one day can be a smart [...]

What’s the Difference Between Burial Insurance, Life Insurance, and Funeral Insurance?

Burial insurance is also known as “funeral insurance” and is an easy-to-qualify for, low coverage, whole life insurance policy designed to cover end of life expenses like medical bills, funeral expenses, and other debts that are left behind when you pass. Most burial insurance plans are affordable, have fixed premiums, and can be issued quickly. [...]

Wooden coffin with funeral flowers in crematorium

Funeral Myths: 10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Funeral Home

Finding a funeral home is difficult, regardless of whether you’ve just lost a loved one or are working on pre-planning. The details surrounding death can make us uneasy, and we often avoid thinking about the topic until absolutely necessary. But part of the reason it’s difficult is this: Most of us just don’t know that [...]

Your Complete Guide to Planning a Funeral: Services, Costs & Reception

A funeral is any kind of final arrangement (burial or cremation) made by a family after the death of a loved one. The average cost of a funeral is almost $9,000 according to the National Funeral Directors Association depending on the location of the service, the funeral home, and the items used. Funeral planning is [...]

Male nurse pushing senior male in wheelchair

A Complete Guide to Guaranteed Life Insurance

Typically, applying for a life insurance policy has a lot of unknowns because you never know if the insurer is going to approve your application. But with a guaranteed issue life insurance policy, also called a guaranteed acceptance policy, you can have confidence your application will be approved. Table of Contents How It Works - [...]

A Complete Guide to Cremation Insurance

Cremation insurance is a type of final expense life insurance specifically earmarked to cover the costs of cremation and other final wishes. In the past, cremation has cost less than traditional burial, but with more people choosing to be cremated every year, funeral homes have started adjusting their prices. Today, the cost of cremation can [...]

How Much Does an Urn Cost?

The average cost of cremation today is $4,000 to $7,000, and the urn is often a huge part of this final expense. The container’s size, style, and material are all important factors in its overall cost. Most people pay $70 to $2,250 for a full sized, permanent urn and $50 to $350 for green burial [...]

How Much Does a Burial Plot Cost?

The cost of a burial plot depends on several factors. The kind of space, type of cemetery, and where you live all play a role in how much you’ll pay. On average, burial plots for caskets range from $525 to $5,000 and $350 to $2,500 for cremated remains in urns. Table of Contents Types of [...]

Are Funeral Expenses Tax Deductible?

Funeral expenses aren’t tax deductible for individuals, and they’re only tax exempt for some estates. Estates worth $11.58 million or more need to file federal tax returns, and only 13 states require them. For this reason, most can’t claim tax deductions. Plus, the values of estates that have to pay federal or state taxes are [...]

Guide to Casket Prices: How Much Do Caskets Cost?

A casket is a huge funeral expense. With an average cost of $2,000 to $5,000, it’s often the most expensive aspect of a funeral. Getting a casket price list from the funeral home you work with, comparison shopping online, and choosing the right burial or funeral insurance policy are all helpful ways to save money [...]

Guide to Life Insurance for Seniors Over 60

Life insurance is a useful tool for helping your loved ones pay your final expenses. Although many people buy a policy in their younger years, there are many senior life insurance options for people over 60. Comparing different plans is a great way to find affordable life insurance for seniors. Table of Contents Cost of [...]

Guide to Life Insurance for Seniors Over 70 or 75

When you’re 70 or older, finding affordable senior life insurance might feel harder than it did when you were younger. But no matter your age, life insurance is an important way to help your loved ones cover the costs of your final expenses, so it’s important to explore your options. Comparing different policies and prices [...]

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