Burial insurance for seniors over 70 is designed to cover funeral costs, medical bills, and small debts so your family isn’t scrambling for cash when they should be focused on grieving. Even if you’re in your 70s—or older—you may still qualify for affordable, permanent coverage specifically built for final expenses.

At Diversified Insurance Brokers, we help seniors compare burial insurance options from multiple carriers, including plans for people with health issues, higher A1C, high blood pressure, or a history of tobacco use. Our goal is simple: make sure your loved ones are protected, without overpaying for coverage you don’t need.

What Is Burial Insurance for Seniors Over 70?

Burial insurance—also called final expense insurance—is a small whole life policy, usually between $5,000 and $50,000 of coverage, designed to pay for:

• Funeral and burial or cremation expenses
• Final medical bills and hospice costs
• Credit cards or small personal debts
• Travel costs for family members attending the service

Because these policies are permanent, coverage lasts your entire lifetime as long as premiums are paid. The death benefit is generally paid tax-free to your beneficiary, who can use it immediately to settle final expenses.

Can You Still Get Burial Insurance After Age 70?

Yes. Many companies offer burial insurance well into your 70s and even early 80s. Premiums are higher at older ages, but you gain the peace of mind that your family won’t be hit with a large unexpected bill. If you’ve been declined before, you may still qualify—especially with plans designed for life insurance with pre-existing conditions.

For some seniors, it may make sense to compare a new plan with an existing policy. If you already have coverage but the premiums are too high or the benefit is too small, we can review your options and see whether a more targeted burial policy tailored to your health profile is a better fit.

Types of Burial Insurance for Seniors Over 70

Most carriers offer three basic structures for seniors:

1. Level Benefit Burial Insurance

Level benefit plans pay the full death benefit from day one, with no waiting period for natural causes. These are typically available if your health is reasonably stable, even with controlled conditions like:

• High blood pressure or cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes with a manageable A1C
• Past tobacco use (or even current smoking in some cases)

If your health is within guidelines, this type of policy usually offers the best combination of price and immediate protection. We often compare options for clients who also fit into niches like burial insurance for smokers or burial insurance for overweight people.

2. Graded or Modified Benefit Burial Insurance

Graded benefits are designed for seniors with more serious health histories. These policies often:

• Pay a partial benefit in year one and two (for example, premiums plus interest)
• Pay the full benefit after the graded period (often beginning year three)
• Pay full benefits immediately for accidental death

This structure allows companies to offer coverage to people who might otherwise be declined, while still protecting the policyholder’s family from sudden expenses.

3. Guaranteed Issue Burial Insurance

Guaranteed issue policies require no health questions and no medical exams. In exchange, they typically:

• Have smaller benefit amounts
• Cost more per dollar of coverage
• Include a two- or three-year waiting period for natural causes

These plans are usually a last resort for seniors with significant health challenges or multiple declines. When appropriate, we compare guaranteed issue with more traditional options so you don’t jump to a higher-priced policy unnecessarily.

How Much Burial Insurance Do Seniors Over 70 Need?

The right amount depends on your goals and budget. Common coverage amounts include:

• $10,000–$15,000 – Basic funeral and modest final expenses
• $20,000–$25,000 – Funeral plus medical bills, travel, and small debts
• $30,000–$50,000 – More comprehensive protection or legacy funding

We often start by estimating your local funeral and burial costs, then adding any outstanding balances you don’t want your family to worry about. If you already have other coverage, such as a pension survivor benefit or a policy purchased earlier in life, burial insurance can “top off” your protection rather than replace it.

How Premiums Work After Age 70

Burial insurance premiums are based on age, health, tobacco use, and benefit amount. For seniors over 70, rates are higher than in your 50s and 60s, but the policies are still designed to be budget-friendly monthly payments instead of a large lump sum.

Most burial policies are level premium, meaning your monthly cost is locked in and will not increase as you age. This is one key advantage over some group plans that get more expensive every few years. You can compare this structure to other options using our term life insurance calculator if you’re also evaluating larger, time-limited coverage.

Burial Insurance vs. Self-Funding Final Expenses

Some seniors plan to “self-insure” burial costs by using a savings account or investments. That can work—but there are trade-offs:

• Funds may be tied up or delayed in probate
• Market volatility can reduce the value right when it’s needed
• Money intended for final expenses may be spent on other needs

Burial insurance creates a dedicated, guaranteed pool of money that goes directly to your beneficiary, separate from your other assets. For many families, combining a small burial policy with an existing savings plan creates a simple, reliable solution.

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

In general, the earlier in your 70s you act, the better:

• Premiums are lower at 70 than at 75 or 80
• You may qualify for level benefit plans instead of graded or guaranteed issue
• You lock in coverage before any new health issues arise

If you’re already over 75, it can still make sense to explore options—especially if you’ve had old policies lapse or were previously insured through work and lost coverage after retirement.

Burial Insurance Calculator for Seniors Over 70

Use the tool below to compare burial and final expense quotes from multiple carriers. You can adjust your age, coverage amount, and health profile to see how different options fit your budget.

How Diversified Insurance Brokers Helps Seniors and Their Families

As an independent, family-run agency, we specialize in matching seniors with the right burial and final expense coverage—not just the first offer available. Here’s how we help:

• Review your health history to avoid unnecessary declines
• Compare plans across carriers that are friendly to seniors with pre-existing conditions
• Balance coverage amount and premium so the policy is truly affordable
• Coordinate burial coverage with other life insurance you may own, including policies you’ve set up for children or grandchildren

Whether you’re starting from scratch or replacing an old policy, our goal is to make things simple, transparent, and respectful of your budget.

Related Pages

• Burial Insurance for Seniors
• Burial Insurance for Smokers
• Burial Insurance for Overweight People
• Burial Insurance for People with High Blood Pressure
• Life Insurance with Pre-Existing Conditions