There’s a lot to appreciate in Arkansas, from its roots entwined deep in American history to the beauty of Hot Springs National Park, so it’s a great place for seniors to settle down. There are also many carriers throughout the state for any senior applicants seeking to prepare ahead with burial insurance for themselves and their loved ones.
What’s burial insurance? Also known as funeral or final expense insurance, burial insurance refers to an affordable type of whole life insurance coverage designed to cover end-of-life costs such as funeral arrangements, outstanding debts, and more.
Here at Final Expense Benefits, we’ve partnered up with more than 20 of the best burial insurance companies to help you find a quality policy under any condition, at any price range, in any state in the country, on your terms.
Get familiar with the options available in your state, call us at (866) 786-0725, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, get familiar with our free online quoting tool, and learn more about burial coverage today.
Key takeaways
- Before additional burial plot costs, the average funeral in Arkansas is around $7,668 but can be covered by final expense insurance.
- Only direct burials stand out as being priced higher on average compared to the national average.
- Top insurance providers such as Aetna Accendo, Mutual of Omaha, and Americo can offer coverage at national average rates.
- In the Natural State, no state laws affect the ability to apply for and/or use burial insurance.
Average Cost of a Funeral in Arkansas
With direct burials being the only exception, funeral costs in Arkansas are typically lower than the national average by around 11-24%.
According to Funeralocity, average funeral costs in Arkansas will vary by the type of memorial you or your loved one wants, but you can expect the following prices (on average):
- Traditional Funeral with burial service: $7,668 + $1,966 state-average burial plot cost
- Direct burial: $3,250
- Full Service Cremation: $5,489
- Direct cremation: $1,679
Prices for basic services may vary depending on location, desired funeral amenities, and more. Check out Final Expense Benefits’ funeral cost calculator for more information.
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Top Funeral Homes in Arkansas
Take a look at these highly-rated funeral homes across the Natural State.
| Funeral Home | Location | Phone Number | Average Customer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hamburg, AR |
5.0 / 5.0 |
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|
Paragould, AR |
4.9 / 5.0 |
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Jonesboro, AR |
4.6 / 5.0 |
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Warren, AR |
4.4 / 5.0 |
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Pine Bluff, AR |
4.2 / 5.0 |
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Top Natural Burial Sites in Arkansas
Natural burials, also known as green, conservation, or eco-burials, are a type of burial method that allows the deceased to decompose naturally, resulting in minimal environmental impact. They typically require fewer resources and steps compared to a traditional burial and can be an affordable option. Such natural burial methods include tree pod burials, burials at sea, and donating your body to science.
Natural burials are legal across all 50 US states (and Washington DC). Funeral and burial regulations vary across individual states, with only four states having unified state regulations—California, Georgia, Maryland, and Washington. Despite all of that, different cemeteries have different rules regarding such burials.
The following cemeteries in Arkansas allow for natural burials:
| Funeral Home | Location | Phone Number | Average Customer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Gassville, AR |
5.0 / 5.0 |
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Mountain Home, AR |
4.9 / 5.0 |
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|
Hot Springs, AR |
4.6 / 5.0 |
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Arkansas Funeral Cost Breakdown
The total average cost for funerals in Arkansas, and any other state, is determined by several factors, such as the type of service you or your loved ones want. In general, traditional burials are one of the most expensive funeral types due to the average cost of caskets and land plots. Here are some of the additions that will affect your total funeral cost:
- Basic Services: funeral licensing, funeral director fees, and more; the state average for this addition is around $1,762 in Arkansas.
- Transportation: driving caskets in a hearse to cemeteries and general transportation to the local morgue; average costs for this in Arkansas are $751.
- Service Preparation: body preparation of the deceased, such as embalming; service costs in Arkansas are about $882. It should be noted that state law dictates that bodies that aren’t buried within 48 hours of death must either be preserved via embalming or refrigeration.
- Funeral Service: funeral service officiants, flower arrangements, decor, and rental fees for funeral homes; Arkansas averages at around $773 for this amenity, but can increase with additional charges (I.e., large venue booking for a large gathering, funeral catering, etc.).
- Casket: the national median cost for a standard wooden casket is about $3,500. It’s important to note that no state law in Arkansas requires anyone to purchase a casket of any sort for burials or cremations. Despite that, cemeteries and crematories may have different rules—check with your cemetery or crematory and inquire about their rules and regulations regarding funeral arrangements.
- Burial Plot: the average burial plot in Arkansas costs around $1,966, varying depending on location and type of plot, with urban sites typically costing more than rural areas.
Burial insurance can be used to cover funerals, cremations, and many other end-of-life costs. Usually, medical exams aren’t required for burial insurance as most applicants are accepted regardless of health, with average benefits payouts ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Note that the insurers in the state of Arkansas offer final expense insurance and do not have any state-specific laws inhibiting access to this kind of coverage for the general public.
Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Laws in Arkansas
Funeral, burial, and cremation processes are similar throughout the US. However, several matters are managed at the state level, including funeral requirements, burial restrictions, death notifications, and more.
Take a look at the biggest burial insurance laws and statewide funeral regulations that you should be aware of when seeking final expense coverage in Arkansas:
- Free look period
Arkansas has a 10-day free look period for insurance policies. The free look period refers to a legally mandated timeframe in which a new life insurance policy owner can terminate their coverage without any penalties, such as surrender charges, and receive a refund if a payment was made during that period. - FTC funeral rule
Arkansans also need to keep note of the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule. The federal regulation in question requires funeral homes to provide consumers with written prices for their products and services upfront. Additionally, the rule allows you to select only what products and services you want from providers and grants you the right to reject any prepackaged options presented to you.
- The “fact-of-death record”
In the state of Arkansas, a funeral director or a person assuming the responsibilities of a funeral director must file a “fact-of-death record”—an essential document for burial separate from the death certificate—along with the division of vital records within three days of death or discovery of a body. - Embalming requirements
A body that isn’t buried within 48 hours of death must be embalmed or refrigerated in Arkansas. Additionally, bodies being cremated do not need to be embalmed/refrigerated for 48 hours after death (unless a health problem dictates otherwise).
- Private property burials
It’s required by the state that bodies be buried in an established cemetery. In Arkansas, if you’re interested in burying a body on private land, you can establish a family graveyard to meet the requirement. Contact local health departments, check county zoning laws, and register the family graveyard with the county clerk before burying on personal property.
How Do Burial Rates in Arkansas Compare to National Rates?
Burial insurance providers across Arkansas have coverage available for applicants of all ages, conditions, and budgets. Here are some sample burial insurance rates for anyone between 50 and 80 years old in the Natural State:
Sample Burial Insurance Rates (National Averages)
| Company | Male 50 y/o | Male 60 y/o | Male 70 y/o | Female 50 y/o | Female 60 y/o | Female 70 y/o |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mutual of Omaha |
$31 |
$44 |
$75 |
$24 |
$33 |
$53 |
|
Aetna Accendo |
$34 |
$51 |
$73 |
$27 |
$41 |
$58 |
|
American Amicable |
$32 |
$47 |
$79 |
$27 |
$38 |
$60 |
|
Americo |
$40 |
$52 |
$86 |
$34 |
$41 |
$66 |
|
Transamerica |
$31 |
$43 |
$70 |
$24 |
$33 |
$53 |
For $10K policies with non-smoking applicants and no-pre-existing conditions.
Sample Burial Rates in Arkansas
| Company | Male 50 y/o | Male 60 y/o | Male 70 y/o | Female 50 y/o | Female 60 y/o | Female 70 y/o |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mutual of Omaha |
$31 |
$44 |
$75 |
$24 |
$33 |
$53 |
|
Aetna Accendo |
$34 |
$50 |
$70 |
$27 |
$40 |
$56 |
|
American Amicable |
$32 |
$47 |
$79 |
$27 |
$38 |
$60 |
|
Americo |
$31 |
$43 |
$71 |
$26 |
$35 |
$53 |
|
Transamerica |
$31 |
$43 |
$70 |
$24 |
$33 |
$53 |
For $10K policies with non-smoking applicants and no-pre-existing conditions.
Why Choose Final Expense Benefits?
Naturally, Final Expense Benefits has been here to help you ensure protection for yourself and your loved ones since 2019—because making sure you’ve got peace of mind is our number one priority.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to apply for a policy and cover burial costs, check our online quoting tool or call us at (866) 786-0725, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
Best Burial Insurance Companies in Arkansas
Additionally, Final Expense Benefits can connect you with top-rated life insurance carriers and help you find a great burial insurance policy.
Check out these companies if you’re looking for quality coverage in Arkansas:
- Mutual of Omaha
When it comes to the best overall for burial insurance, Mutual of Omaha is there to offer you and your loved ones policy power and affordability at competitive rates.
- Aetna Accendo
An ideal option for applicants with pre-existing conditions, Aetna Acendo can offer burial policies with simplified underwriting guidelines.
- American Amicable
American Amicable has been a strong choice for seniors seeking final expense coverage, particularly for those seeking a smoker-friendly whole life policy, thanks to their affordable rates and forgiving underwriting. - Americo
With a wide array of life insurance riders to add on to your policy, Americo prides itself in offering applicants customization options with their burial coverage. - Transamerica
As a Final Expense Benefits partner with a storied history as an insurance provider, Transamerica and their whole life policies offer reliable options for seniors seeking burial coverage.
Final Thoughts
In short, much like many other states, there aren’t any state laws that will affect the cost of your burial or your burial coverage in Arkansas. Unless you are planning on a direct cremation, you also don’t have to worry about funeral expenses being higher than the national average. And if you’re still looking for more cost-accessible options, green burial is also a viable option, depending on your cemetery or crematory.
Whatever you plan for, all funerals can be covered with solid burial coverage from top-rated providers. Trusted companies like Mutual of Omaha, Americo, and Aetna Accendo offer competitive rates for policies that can account for seniors’ health and budget. So, if you and your loved ones truly want to rule your future into the golden years, then consider getting final expense insurance.
Get a better understanding of your options for burial insurance in Arkansas, learn how you can start applying for a policy today, call Final Expense Benefits at (866) 786-0725, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
FAQ
What is burial insurance?
Also known as funeral insurance or final expense insurance, burial insurance refers to a type of affordable whole life insurance that offers senior applicants with accessible and reliable coverage.
What does the average funeral cost in Arkansas?
The average cost of a traditional funeral in Arkansas is $7,668—about 11% cheaper than the national average. As for direct burial, those cost about $3,250 in Arkansas, making them about 31% more expensive than the national average.
What does the average cremation cost in Arkansas?
The average cost for any kind of cremation in the state of Arkansas is cheaper than the national average. Full service cremations average around $5,489 (12% cheaper than the national average) while direct cremations cost around $1,679 (24% cheaper than the national average).
Are natural burials allowed in Arkansas?
Yes, natural burials—also known as natural, conservation, or eco-burials—are legal in the state of Arkansas; however, they are unregulated. It’s important to ask the funeral home, cemetery, or crematory about their policies on natural burials, since cemeteries or crematories have varying policies on natural burials.