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Shoreline & Sound
Final expense · Burial insurance

Final expense,
without the
TV-ad markup.

Final expense insurance — sometimes called burial insurance — is a small whole-life policy designed to cover funeral, burial, and end-of-life costs. Face amounts are typically $5,000 to $25,000. The right answer for many shoreline grandparents who don't want to leave bills behind. The wrong answer at the prices the TV ads quote.

How final expense works

  • It's a small whole life policy — permanent, with locked-in premium and a guaranteed death benefit.
  • Face amounts run typically $5K, $10K, $15K, $20K, or $25K.
  • Premiums are level for life. Once issued, the policy is in force as long as you pay.
  • Underwriting is generally easier than larger life policies. Most carriers ask a short health questionnaire, no medical exam.
  • Some plans are guaranteed-acceptance — no health questions — but with a 2- or 3-year waiting period before the full death benefit applies. Used as a last resort for applicants who can't qualify elsewhere.

What it costs

Illustrative monthly premiums for $10,000 of final expense coverage in 2026, healthy non-smoker:

  • Age 60: $30–$45/month
  • Age 70: $50–$80/month
  • Age 80: $90–$160/month

Smokers and applicants with significant health issues will pay more. We always check multiple carriers because the difference between the cheapest and most expensive carrier on the same applicant can be 30–50%.

Comparing final-expense options? We quote across carriers — usually well under the TV-ad price.

Free final expense quote

Why the TV ads cost more

Two reasons. One: many TV-advertised plans are guaranteed-acceptance with no health questions, which automatically prices to the worst-case applicant. Two: TV advertising costs are recouped in the premium. We can almost always do better for shoreline clients who don't have major health issues.

Why people on the shoreline buy this

Most often we hear: "I don't want to leave my kids with the funeral bill." That's a perfectly good reason. The average funeral, burial, and headstone in Connecticut runs $10K–$15K. A $15K final expense policy covers it cleanly, with funds available within days.

Should it go in a trust?

For most folks, no. The death benefit is paid directly to the named beneficiary, income-tax-free, usually within a few weeks. For some Medicaid-planning situations, an irrevocable funeral trust matters — a final expense policy can be assigned to a trust to be exempt from Medicaid asset counting. We'll walk through whether that's relevant.

Free quote · No commitment

Final expense, done right.

One quick conversation. Multiple carriers quoted. Honest pricing. Most clients are surprised at how affordable this is at $10K or $15K of coverage.

In person · By phone · By video