Burial insurance for seniors over 70 is designed to cover funeral costs, final medical bills, and small lingering debts so your family is not scrambling for money when they should be focused on the service and supporting each other. Even in your 70s—and often into your early 80s—you may still qualify for permanent final expense coverage that is simpler to obtain than traditional life insurance, especially when the plan type matches your health profile.

At Diversified Insurance Brokers, we help seniors compare burial and final expense options from multiple carriers, including plans built for common concerns like higher A1C, high blood pressure, and a history of tobacco use. The goal is straightforward: secure the most appropriate policy structure first (level, graded, or guaranteed issue), then dial in a benefit amount that protects your family without paying for coverage that does not fit your situation.

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Use the instant quote tool below to compare burial insurance rates for seniors over 70.

What Is Burial Insurance for Seniors Over 70?

Burial insurance—often called final expense insurance—is typically a smaller whole life policy, commonly ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. It is built to solve immediate, practical costs that arrive quickly after death. Families often use the benefit for funeral and cemetery expenses, cremation costs, final medical or hospice bills, and other small obligations that can become stressful when they hit all at once.

Because these policies are permanent, coverage is designed to remain in force for your lifetime as long as premiums are paid. The benefit is paid to the named beneficiary, which can provide a dedicated source of funds for final expenses instead of forcing the family to use credit cards or pull money from other accounts under time pressure.

If you want a broader overview of how final expense coverage works across age ranges, the general guide on burial insurance for seniors can help put the over-70 market into context.

Can You Still Get Burial Insurance After Age 70?

Yes. Many carriers accept applicants well into their 70s, and some continue into the early 80s. Premiums are higher than they are in your 50s or 60s, but the tradeoff is clarity: you are creating a dedicated benefit for your family that is designed to be available when it is needed.

If you have health history that would make traditional underwriting difficult, burial insurance can still be realistic because many plans use simplified applications. If your concern is a prior decline or multiple conditions, the broader resource on life insurance with pre-existing conditions can help you understand why carrier selection matters and why similar diagnoses can be treated differently depending on stability and complications.

Some seniors also compare a new burial policy with an existing older policy, especially if premiums have become uncomfortable or if the current benefit amount no longer matches expected costs. In those cases, it is often helpful to compare underwriting niches directly—such as burial insurance for people with high blood pressure—because certain carriers are more favorable for specific conditions.

Types of Burial Insurance for Seniors Over 70

Most carriers offer three primary structures. The best fit is usually determined by whether your health history qualifies for immediate coverage or whether a graded structure is more realistic.

Level Benefit Burial Insurance

Level benefit plans are designed to pay the full death benefit from day one (subject to policy terms) for natural and accidental causes. Many seniors over 70 can still qualify if overall health is reasonably stable. Controlled conditions do not automatically disqualify you, and some carriers are more flexible than others, which is why shopping matters.

Seniors who are comparing niche-friendly carriers often also look at guides such as burial insurance for smokers and burial insurance for overweight people, because pricing can vary widely depending on how each carrier evaluates tobacco use and build.

Graded or Modified Benefit Burial Insurance

Graded benefit plans are designed for seniors with more significant medical histories who may not fit level benefit guidelines. These policies commonly include an initial period in which natural-cause benefits are limited, then transition to full coverage later. Many graded plans provide immediate coverage for accidental death while the natural-cause limitation applies.

This structure exists to keep coverage available for people who would otherwise face a decline, while still providing the family with meaningful protection for final expenses over time.

Guaranteed Issue Burial Insurance

Guaranteed issue policies are designed for applicants who cannot qualify under simplified issue underwriting. They typically require no health questions and no exam. In exchange, they usually have smaller maximum face amounts, a higher cost per dollar of coverage, and a waiting period for natural causes.

Because guaranteed issue tends to be the most expensive structure, it is usually best reserved for situations where simplified issue options are truly not available.

How Much Burial Insurance Do Seniors Over 70 Need?

The right amount is personal, but many seniors over 70 choose coverage that matches expected local costs without over-insuring. Common selections are:

$10,000–$15,000 for basic funeral and modest final expenses
$20,000–$25,000 for funeral plus a buffer for last bills and small debts
$30,000–$50,000 for more comprehensive protection or legacy goals

A simple way to estimate is to price out the service you would want, then add any known obligations you do not want your family to handle. If you already have other coverage—like an older life policy or survivor benefits—burial insurance can be used to “top off” final expense funding rather than replace other parts of your plan.

How Premiums Work After Age 70

Burial insurance premiums are primarily based on age, tobacco use, health history, and the benefit amount selected. While pricing is higher than at younger ages, most final expense plans are structured as level-premium policies, meaning the monthly cost is designed to stay the same for the life of the policy rather than increasing as you age.

Some seniors also compare burial coverage with other forms of life insurance when they want larger coverage for a limited time. If you are evaluating bigger, time-limited coverage alongside final expense, the term life insurance calculator can help you understand how term structures differ from permanent burial coverage.

Burial Insurance vs. Self-Funding Final Expenses

Some seniors prefer to set aside funds for funeral expenses in savings or investments. That can work, but the tradeoff is that savings may be reduced by market changes, may be spent for other needs, or may not be easily accessible immediately depending on how accounts are titled and distributed. Burial insurance creates a dedicated benefit payable to a beneficiary, which can reduce time pressure and financial stress during a difficult week for the family.

For many households, a modest burial policy paired with existing savings creates a balanced approach: the insurance handles the immediate expenses while savings can remain focused on retirement lifestyle and long-term needs.

When Is the Best Time to Buy Burial Insurance After 70?

In general, earlier in your 70s is often better because premiums typically increase with each year of age, and qualifying for level benefit coverage can become harder if new health issues arise. If you are already in your mid-to-late 70s, it can still make sense to explore options, especially if you previously had coverage through work, if an older policy lapsed, or if you want more clarity around final expenses.

If you are trying to locate older coverage you might have forgotten about, this resource can help: how to find an old life insurance policy.

Burial Insurance Calculator for Seniors Over 70

Use the tool below to compare burial and final expense quotes from multiple carriers. You can adjust the benefit amount to see how different coverage levels fit your budget.

How Diversified Insurance Brokers Helps Seniors and Their Families

As an independent, family-run agency, Diversified Insurance Brokers focuses on matching seniors with the burial coverage that fits their health profile and goals—without forcing a one-size solution. In practical terms, that means comparing carriers that are friendly to seniors with controlled conditions, guiding you toward level benefits when realistic, and using graded or guaranteed issue structures only when appropriate.

Many families also coordinate burial insurance with existing policies held on spouses, children, or grandchildren. If you are reviewing family coverage, the resource on life insurance for kids can help you think through how different policies serve different goals across generations.