Planning for that final day of life is hard, isn’t it? No one likes to think about it more than necessary. But if you’re looking to protect your loved ones—or leave behind a financial gift—choosing the best burial insurance policy is a crucial step.
So, which companies are actually worth considering?
We’re breaking down the top burial insurance companies that offer whole life coverage, simplified underwriting, and fast application processes—without needles, exams, or medical records.
Let’s get into it.
What to Know First: No Exam Doesn’t Mean No Health Questions
It’s important to understand the difference between no medical exam and no health questions. All of the best burial insurance policies will ask some basic health history questions to qualify for first-day full coverage and better rates. If you want the best pricing and immediate coverage, you’ll need to answer a few simple health questions.
No Exam Burial Insurance for Seniors
The good news?
All of the companies listed below offer policies that do not require a medical exam, blood draw, or access to your doctor’s records. Most applications can be completed in about 20–30 minutes and often approved the same day.
We’ve also included one company that offers guaranteed issue burial insurance—a no health question option reserved for seniors with serious health conditions.
Pro Tip: Only consider a no health question policy if a qualified independent agent tells you it’s your only option. These are more expensive and come with a two-year waiting period for full benefits on natural causes.
What Makes a Company One of the Best?
To make our list, a burial insurance company had to check all the boxes below:
- ✅ No medical exam required
- ✅ Competitive, level premiums that never increase
- ✅ First-day, full coverage (unless noted)
- ✅ Quick, easy phone or online application
- ✅ Social Security billing available
- ✅ Whole life insurance—permanent coverage that doesn’t expire
- ✅ Accepts applicants with common health issues
- ✅ High placement ratios (meaning, strong approval rates)
It goes without saying: it is important to select a life insurance company that is responsive to quickly paying claims. Since burial insurance is often used to protect a our loved ones from financial stress from funeral and burial costs which can easily reach $15,000 in 2025, this is all the more important.
Top Burial Insurance Companies (Alphabetical Order)
Gerber Life Insurance
Best for: High-risk applicants needing guaranteed issue
- ✔ No health questions required
- ✔ Easy approval for serious health conditions
- ✔ Backed by a trusted name since 1967
- ❗ Has a 2-year waiting period for full natural death benefits
If you’ve been declined elsewhere due to major health issues like cancer or terminal illness, Gerber’s Guaranteed Life is a reliable fallback option. It easily beats Colonial Penn in both cost and policy structure/performance.
Mutual of Omaha
Best for: Overall value and name recognition
- ✔ Offers “Living Promise” whole life burial insurance
- ✔ Covers ages 45–85 with up to $50,000 in coverage
- ✔ Includes terminal illness accelerated benefit rider
- ✔ Strong underwriting and customer service
Mutual of Omaha is a household name and a solid choice for seniors in decent health who want fast, full coverage without jumping through hoops.
SBLI (Savings Bank Life Insurance)
Best for: Value + Funeral Concierge Service
- ✔ Offers the Living Legacy Final Expense plan
- ✔ Includes Sequoia Funeral Concierge (negotiates and arranges services)
- ✔ Very affordable premiums
- ✔ Easy to qualify, high placement rates
- ❗ Limited distribution—only available through select agencies (like us)
SBLI’s funeral concierge benefit sets it apart—it handles the hard stuff for your family when the time comes. This unique feature makes SBLI one of the top 3 carriers on our list.
Other Best Burial Insurance Companies to Know
These carriers didn’t quite make our top 3 but still offer strong options depending on your situation:
Transamerica
- Pros: Accepts tough health cases, great for applicants with multiple prescriptions
- Cons: Lengthy app, inconsistent customer service
Trinity Life / Family Benefit Life
- Pros: Ultra-competitive rates, liberal underwriting, fast decisions
- Cons: Phone interview required, may scrutinize prescriptions heavily
AIG / Corebridge Financial
- Pros: Will take high-risk cases, accepts debit/credit cards, offers guaranteed issue
- Cons: Customer service lacks a personal touch
Aflac
- Pros: Easy application, competitive pricing, brand recognition
- Cons: Newer to final expense; some unpredictability with medications
Royal Neighbors of America
- Pros: Since 1895, multiple plan options, good underwriting, true Social Security billing
- Cons: Harder to reach support team, preferred rates only on $25K+
2025 Update: What’s New This Year?
🔍 Aflac Rising in the Rankings
Aflac is gaining traction in the burial insurance space. We’re watching closely. The application is easy, pricing is strong, and the company is well-known. With time, Aflac could break into our top 3 for final expense coverage.
✳️ Foresters Financial Makes Moves
Forester’s new PlanRight application process is finally simple. Big improvement. The underwriting is liberal, and seniors with more complex health histories can now get first-day full coverage easier than ever before. As a Foresters life insurance agent, we do expect to send them more business this year due the competitive cost and the better overall customer experience. Well done, Foresters.
Final Expense Insurance for High-Risk Applicants
Let’s be real—burial insurance is built for higher-risk applicants. That’s the entire point. These policies cover smaller face amounts (typically $50,000 or less), and the underwriting is simplified.
However, a few carriers specialize in guaranteed issue final expense coverage. No health questions, no problem… but there’s a tradeoff.
Guaranteed Acceptance Burial Insurance Providers:
- Gerber Life
- Colonial Penn
- AARP / New York Life
- Corebridge Financial (AIG)
- Royal Neighbors of America
Some of these are solid last-resort policies—but again, only if you’re truly uninsurable elsewhere.
Ready to Apply?
The application process with Special Risk Life is easier than ever. Most burial insurance applications take 15 to 40 minutes and can be done over the phone, by email, or even text.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Your date of birth, address, and Social Security Number
- Your beneficiary’s info (name, DOB, address, phone)
- Your banking info if paying monthly (routing and account numbers)
- A date you’d like your coverage to start
Once submitted, most approvals happen within 1–3 business days—often instantly.
Recap: Best Burial Insurance Companies in 2025
If you’re looking for:
- Best overall value: Mutual of Omaha
- Unique benefits + funeral concierge: SBLI
- Guaranteed issue for high-risk: Gerber Life
- Easy apps + liberal underwriting: Trinity/Family Benefit Life, Royal Neighbors, Foresters
- New player with promise: Aflac
We’re here to help you sort through the options. We work with dozens of life insurance companies and know which carriers are right for your specific health history and goals.
Need Help Choosing the Right Final Expense Insurance?
Let’s make this simple. Give us a call or send us a message. We’ll walk you through your options, answer your questions, and help you apply—all without pushy sales tactics. If you would prefer, you may use the instant quote tool on this page to see how much burial insurance costs for someone your age.
📞 Call Special Risk Life Insurance: (269) 230-3461
✉️ Or request info online at our contact us page
Planning ahead might not be easy, but it’s one of the most meaningful gifts you can leave behind.
Michael is a veteran independent life and health insurance agent who specializes in guiding people with even high risk health conditions thru the insurance process. He is passionate about helping individuals and families get their unique financial protection needs met, providing his experienced based advise and delivering affordable, dependable coverage you can count on.
