Finding the best burial insurance for parents over 70 comes down to three things: guaranteed approval options, level premiums that never increase, and a quick, simple application your parent (or you as payer) can complete in minutes. At this age, most families choose final expense whole life insurance designed to cover funeral costs, medical bills, and small debts—without medical exams or lengthy underwriting.

What Types of Policies Work Best After 80?

• Guaranteed Issue Whole Life: No health questions or exams; approval based on age and state. Most policies include a graded benefit period (commonly two years) where natural death pays a return of premiums plus interest, while accidental death is fully covered from day one.
• Simplified Issue Final Expense: A short health questionnaire (no exam). If approved, many plans offer immediate full benefits with level premiums for life.

Coverage amounts typically range from $5,000 to $25,000. Children or caregivers can be the payer, and ownership can be structured so you control premium payments and beneficiary designations.

How to Choose the Right Policy

• Eligibility: If health is complex or unknown, start with guaranteed issue. If your parent answers “no” to knockout questions (e.g., current treatment for certain conditions), simplified issue may offer lower premiums and immediate benefits.
• Benefit Structure: Understand the graded period on guaranteed issue. Ask how accidental death is handled and when the full natural death benefit begins.
• Premium Stability: Look for permanent whole life policies with level rates and benefits that never decrease.
• Ownership & Payer Setup: Consider owning the policy yourself so you can manage payments and keep the plan in force.

Conservative Pricing Examples (Illustrative)

Actual rates vary by age, state, gender, and underwriting class. These ranges are conservative for guidance only:

• Age 70: $10,000 benefit – roughly $65–$110/mo (simplified issue) or $85–$120/mo (guaranteed issue)
• Age 75: $10,000 benefit – roughly $100–$150/mo (guaranteed issue common at this age)

Use the calculator above for real-time quotes from multiple carriers and benefit amounts.

Application & Timing Tips

1. Run quotes with the calculator for the desired benefit (often $10k–$20k).
2. Pick the underwriting path: If unsure on health, start guaranteed issue; if basic health questions look favorable, try simplified issue for potential savings.
3. Set the payer/owner so premiums are auto-drafted and never missed.
4. Confirm beneficiaries and note where the funds should be directed (funeral home or family).

New to this topic? Our overview of options is a helpful primer: Burial Insurance.