Burial Insurance for People with Kidney Disease
Jason Stolz CLTC, CRPC
Burial Insurance for People with Kidney Disease
Don’t let CKD, dialysis, or a past transplant stop you from getting coverage. We match your kidney health history to carriers most likely to approve—often with no medical exam.
Burial insurance for people with kidney disease is available—even with chronic kidney disease (CKD), dialysis, or a prior transplant. At Diversified Insurance Brokers, we help families nationwide secure final expense coverage designed to pay for funeral costs, small medical balances, and other last expenses without creating financial stress at the worst possible time.
Many people assume that kidney conditions automatically cause a decline. In reality, burial insurance (also called final expense whole life insurance) is one of the most accessible forms of life insurance on the market. It’s built for real-life health histories, and it can often be approved with no medical exam—just simple health questions, prescription history checks, and smart carrier selection.
Because we compare 100+ carriers, we can help you avoid “one-size-fits-all” answers and focus on what actually matters: your current stability, treatment plan, and what type of coverage will protect your loved ones right now.
Can You Get Burial Insurance with Kidney Disease?
Yes—many people living with kidney disease can still qualify for burial insurance. Approval usually depends on the stage of CKD, whether you’re currently on dialysis, and whether you’ve had major complications such as heart failure, uncontrolled diabetes, or repeat hospital admissions.
In practical terms, here’s how most carriers approach kidney health histories:
- Earlier-stage CKD (Stages 1–3, not on dialysis): Often eligible for simplified issue final expense plans with day-one coverage.
- Advanced CKD (Stages 4–5): Approval is still possible, but options may shift toward graded or guaranteed issue plans.
- Dialysis (hemo or peritoneal): Guaranteed issue burial insurance is usually the most reliable route.
- Post-transplant: If stable for a number of years, some carriers may accept simplified issue coverage depending on ongoing medications and overall stability.
The key is this: kidney disease doesn’t mean “no.” It simply changes which carriers make sense—and which policy type will offer the most dependable protection.
How Kidney Disease Underwriting Works for Final Expense Insurance
Burial insurance underwriting is much more forgiving than fully underwritten term life insurance. However, kidney disease is still considered a serious medical condition, so carriers typically focus on the details that impact near-term stability.
Most carriers evaluate kidney-related applications based on:
- CKD stage and stability: Earlier stages with stable labs tend to qualify more easily.
- Dialysis status: Current dialysis typically moves applicants into guaranteed issue programs.
- Recent hospitalizations: Frequent admissions can reduce simplified issue options.
- Cause of kidney disease: Diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune conditions, or genetic disorders can affect underwriting.
- Comorbidities: Heart disease, stroke history, uncontrolled BP, and diabetes complications can be more impactful than CKD alone.
- Functional ability: Some carriers look at mobility and whether daily activities require assistance.
At Diversified Insurance Brokers, we help you answer questions the right way, identify which carriers match your health profile, and avoid wasted applications that lead to unnecessary declines.
| Kidney Profile | Likely Policy Type | Benefit Timing |
|---|---|---|
| CKD Stage 2–3, controlled BP and A1c | Simplified issue whole life | Day-one full benefits |
| CKD Stage 4–5, not on dialysis | Graded or guaranteed issue | Graded natural causes years 1–2 |
| Active dialysis (hemo or peritoneal) | Guaranteed issue whole life | Graded natural causes years 1–2 |
| Kidney transplant, stable 5+ years | Simplified issue (carrier specific) | Possible day-one benefits |
Every carrier is different. When helpful, we can pre-screen your situation to target the most kidney-friendly offers first.
Level, Graded, and Guaranteed Issue Burial Insurance Options
There are three main paths to burial insurance coverage with kidney disease. Choosing the right one is the difference between getting a dependable plan now—and overpaying for a plan that doesn’t fit your situation.
Level Benefit Final Expense Whole Life
Level benefit means the policy pays the full death benefit from day one (subject to the standard contestability period). This is typically the best-case scenario for people with earlier-stage CKD and stable health.
Graded Benefit Final Expense Whole Life
Graded benefit plans are a middle-ground option when the carrier sees increased risk. These policies typically limit natural-cause death benefits during the first 1–2 years, then convert to full coverage after that period.
Guaranteed Issue Burial Insurance
Guaranteed issue plans are designed for serious medical histories, including dialysis or complex kidney complications. These plans do not ask health questions, and approval is extremely reliable. In exchange, they typically include a graded period for natural-cause death during the first two policy years (often paying return of premium plus interest).
If you’re unsure which option fits you, we can help you compare policies quickly so you can lock in coverage without stress or confusion.
How Much Does Burial Insurance Cost with Kidney Disease?
Pricing depends on your age, state, tobacco status, kidney disease stage, dialysis status, and the plan type (level vs graded vs guaranteed issue). The good news is that many people can still find affordable protection by right-sizing the coverage amount to match real final expenses.
Most families choose $10,000–$15,000 in burial insurance coverage. That amount is often enough to cover funeral costs, transportation, final bills, and family travel expenses without overextending the monthly premium.
Educational monthly ranges for $10,000 (non-tobacco):
- Age 60 (earlier-stage CKD): ~$45–$65 monthly (level or graded)
- Age 70 (CKD with meds): ~$70–$105 monthly (level or graded)
- Age 75–80 (dialysis): ~$120–$175 monthly (guaranteed issue)
These ranges are for education only. Your actual rate depends on your full health profile and state. For accurate pricing, use the calculator below or request a personalized quote.
Burial Insurance Calculator for Kidney Disease
See real-time burial insurance quotes based on your age, state, and coverage amount.
How to Apply for Burial Insurance with Kidney Disease
Getting approved for burial insurance with kidney disease is usually much easier than people expect—especially when you use the correct carrier match from the beginning.
- Confirm your budget and target benefit: Most families start with $10,000–$15,000.
- Pre-screen your kidney history: Stage, dialysis status, transplant history, and medications matter.
- Choose the right policy style: Level, graded, or guaranteed issue depending on your health profile.
- Complete a simple e-application: Many approvals come back the same day or within a few days.
If a family member is helping manage finances, we can also structure the policy so an adult child can be listed as payer (and in some cases owner) with proper consent.
Case Study: Dialysis Applicant Needing Coverage Now
A 74-year-old on hemodialysis wanted $10,000 of final expense coverage to ensure his family wouldn’t have to worry about funeral costs. Because dialysis typically limits simplified issue options, we matched him to a guaranteed issue burial policy designed for severe medical histories.
The policy included a graded period for natural causes during years 1–2 and immediate coverage for accidental death. After the graded period, the full death benefit becomes payable—giving the family a dependable plan that protects them long-term.
Compare Plans and Learn More
Explore related guides and tools across our site:
Use our burial insurance calculator
Affordable options for low-income seniors
Coverage for disabled adult applicants
Burial insurance for parents over seventy
See our burial insurance services
Get Burial Coverage—Even with Kidney Disease
We’ll help you compare simplified issue, graded, and guaranteed issue options and secure a plan that fits your health needs and budget.
Related Burial Insurance Pages
Helpful pages that explain pricing, policy types, and how to choose the right final expense plan.
Related Health & Approval Topics
If other conditions are part of the picture, these pages explain how approvals and pricing tend to work.
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FAQs: Burial Insurance for People with Kidney Disease
Can I get burial insurance with kidney disease?
Yes. Earlier-stage CKD can often qualify for simplified issue policies with day-one benefits, while dialysis or advanced CKD typically points to guaranteed issue coverage with a short graded period for natural causes.
Does dialysis disqualify me from burial insurance?
No. Dialysis patients are usually eligible for guaranteed issue whole life. These policies do not ask health questions and generally have a graded benefit period for natural causes during the first two policy years; accidental death is typically covered immediately.
Is there a medical exam required for CKD burial insurance?
Most final expense options are no-exam. Simplified issue uses a brief health questionnaire; guaranteed issue asks no health questions at all.
How much coverage can I buy with kidney disease?
Common face amounts range from $5,000 to $30,000, subject to your age, state, and carrier limits. We help right-size the benefit to expected final expenses and your budget.
How are premiums affected by CKD or dialysis?
Pricing reflects age, tobacco status, CKD stage, dialysis status, and plan type. As an educational reference for $10,000 of coverage (non-tobacco): Age 60 ~ $45–$65; Age 70 ~ $70–$105; Age 75–80 on dialysis ~ $120–$175. Actual rates vary by carrier and state.
How fast can I be approved for coverage?
Many simplified issue applications are approved within minutes to a few days. Guaranteed issue approvals are often immediate after basic eligibility checks.
Who can own or pay for the policy?
An adult child or trusted person can be the payer and, with consent, the policy owner. This can help ensure premiums are paid and beneficiaries stay current.
What happens if death occurs during the graded period?
For many guaranteed issue policies, natural-cause deaths during years one to two pay a limited benefit such as return of premium plus interest. After the graded period, the full face amount is payable. Accidental death is typically covered from day one.
About the Author:
Jason Stolz, CLTC, CRPC and Chief Underwriter at Diversified Insurance Brokers, is a senior insurance and retirement professional with more than two decades of real-world experience helping individuals, families, and business owners protect their income, assets, and long-term financial stability. As a long-time partner of the nationally licensed independent agency Diversified Insurance Brokers, Jason provides trusted guidance across multiple specialties—including fixed and indexed annuities, long-term care planning, personal and business disability insurance, life insurance solutions, and short-term health coverage. Diversified Insurance Brokers maintains active contracts with over 100 highly rated insurance carriers, ensuring clients have access to a broad and competitive marketplace.
His practical, education-first approach has earned recognition in publications such as VoyageATL, highlighting his commitment to financial clarity and client-focused planning. Drawing on deep product knowledge and years of hands-on field experience, Jason helps clients evaluate carriers, compare strategies, and build retirement and protection plans that are both secure and cost-efficient.
