California seniors seeking an affordable way to help loved ones get ahead of rising funeral costs should try burial insurance. A low-cost, accessible type of whole life insurance, burial insurance is designed to help seniors find quality coverage for end-of-life expenses, like funerals.
Final Expense Benefits has helped seniors secure reliable burial insurance since 2019, and our agents are here to help you find the coverage you need. Call us today to learn more about your options or to start your application.
To learn more about burial insurance, call us at (866) 786-0725 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Check our free online funeral cost calculator and quoting tool for personalized funeral and coverage cost estimates.
Key takeaways
The average cost of a traditional funeral with a service, viewing, and burial in California is $10,221.
Burial insurance is the most affordable and accessible way for California seniors to cover major funeral bills.
Final Expense Benefits helps seniors in California and across the U.S. secure low-cost, reliable burial insurance.
Unlike those in restrictive states like New York, seniors in California can select from any of our top-rated burial insurance providers.
How Much Does a Funeral Cost in California?
Funeral costs are rising. Instead of leaving their loved ones responsible for such large expenses, savvy seniors are turning to burial insurance for savings. It’s a reliable, accessible way for seniors to cover funeral, cremation, and burial plot costs at an affordable rate.
According to Funeralocity, the average cost of a funeral in California varies by the type of funeral, with costs ranging from:
- Traditional funeral & burial: $8,021 funeral + $2,200 burial plot cost
- Cremation with traditional funeral service: $5,523
- Direct burial (burial with no funeral service: $2,700
- Direct cremation (cremation with no funeral service): $1,642
These prices are for basic services and may vary depending on your location, desired funeral amenities, and more. Check our funeral cost calculator for more information.
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Top Funeral Homes in California
Here are some of the most popular funeral homes in California:
| Funeral Home | Location | Phone Number | Customer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fairfield, CA |
4.8 / 5 |
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Bakersfield, CA |
4.5 / 5 |
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San Jose, CA |
4.3 / 5 |
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|
Gilroy, CA |
4.0 / 5 |
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Sacramento, CA |
3.9 / 5 |
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California Funeral Cost Breakdown
California funeral costs depend on the type of funeral and service you prefer. Traditional funerals with a viewing, service, and burial are the most expensive. This is because they require additional services and equipment, such as a funeral home rental or casket, plus you’d need to cover the cost of a burial plot.
Typical costs for traditional funerals include:
- Basic services
Funeral homes charge basic service fees to pay for a funeral director, necessary permits, and more. Remember that if you are confused about any funeral charges, you are entitled to ask for a detailed cost breakdown, thanks to the FTC funeral rule.
- Transportation
These costs include moving the deceased from the morgue to the funeral home and costs for driving the casket to your selected cemetery in a hearse.
- Service preparation
Traditional open-casket funerals require body preparation, including embalming, makeup, and clothing.
- Service
Including costs for memorial officiants, decorations, funeral home rental fees, and more. These costs may rise if you choose to have your service catered.
- Casket
Casket costs vary widely, and the median cost of a wooden casket is $3,500.
- Burial plot
Burial plot costs vary by location. California cemetery costs are typically more expensive in densely populated cities like San Diego and San Francisco than in the open countryside.
Burial insurance is a great way to cover these costs and more, offering seniors an affordable way to cover their funeral costs ahead of time. California seniors enjoy additional reliability on their life insurance options due to a few consumer protection laws. Here’s how they work:
California Burial Insurance Laws
Some states, like New York, have strict life insurance laws that exclude seniors from most burial insurance companies. Thankfully, California life insurance laws don’t restrict seniors from choosing any of our top-rated partner providers.
Here’s an overview of California burial insurance laws and how they could affect you:
- Free look provision
The California Department of Insurance (DOI) mandates that insurers offer new burial insurance policyholders a 30-day grace period to decide if they like their new plan. If the policyholder doesn’t want to keep the policy, they can return it to the insurer for a full refund.
- Written sales meeting notice
Some insurers, such as Lincoln Heritage, are notorious for reports of sending sales agents to prospective customers’ homes for unannounced sales visits. California restricts this problematic tactic by requiring a notice written a week in advance of any in-person sales visit that provides thorough information about the visiting sales representatives. Final Expense Benefits will never send agents to your home – you can work with us and sign up for a policy, all with the convenience of just a single phone call.
- Replacement requirement
If a current policyholder cancels or surrenders an existing life insurance policy and purchases a new one, the California DOI requires their insurer to fully disclose the benefits and consequences of the replacement.
California’s regulations help promote a trustworthy life insurance market, giving seniors reliable access to burial coverage and low rates. But how much does burial insurance cost in California?
How Much Does Burial Insurance Cost in California?
Also called final expense insurance, burial insurance offers seniors lifelong coverage, premiums locked at the policy start, and tax-free benefit payouts that grow in cash value. Average payouts range from around $5,000 to $50,000, plenty to cover funerals and other end-of-life expenses.
Seniors in good health often qualify for no-wait burial insurance, while those with serious pre-existing health concerns may only qualify for guaranteed life insurance.
These policies often have waiting periods and may pay reduced or modified payouts, so it’s best to apply early, while you are in better health and have access to lower rates.
$10,000 California Burial Insurance Rates
Rates for burial insurance in California are affordable. Here are sample rates for seniors ages 50 to 80 for a typical $10,000 burial insurance policy from Mutual of Omaha, a top-rated Final Expense Benefits partner:
| Age | Monthly Rate (Male) | Monthly Rate (Female) |
|---|---|---|
|
50 |
$31 |
$24 |
|
55 |
$36 |
$28 |
|
60 |
$44 |
$33 |
|
65 |
$57 |
$41 |
|
70 |
$75 |
$53 |
|
75 |
$100 |
$72 |
|
80 |
$140 |
$98 |
These rates are calculated for a $10,000 burial insurance policy from Mutual of Omaha, using a non-smoking applicant with no pre-existing health conditions.
If you’re interested in a quality policy from Mutual of Omaha or any of our top providers, call Final Expense Benefits at (866) 786-0725 to start your application today.
Best Burial Insurance Companies in California
California seniors can pick from Final Expense Benefits’ full catalog of top-rated life insurance providers. Here are some of our top picks, based on affordability, accessibility, and reliability:
- Mutual of Omaha
One of the most popular burial insurance providers, Mutual of Omaha offers low rates, quality coverage, and acclaimed customer service. They’re our top overall pick for burial insurance in California.
Best for: Seniors seeking low-cost, reliable coverage. - Aetna Accendo
Backed by CVS Health, Aetna Accendo Life Insurance offers affordable burial insurance with relaxed medical underwriting, meaning you can qualify for low rates, even with pre-existing health concerns.
Best for: Seniors with pre-existing conditions. - American Amicable
American Amicable provides customer-focused, affordable burial insurance. Their policies are great for seniors with diverse health and budget needs, thanks to their wide selection of insurance riders.
Best for: Seniors with complex health needs seeking customizable coverage.
Final Thoughts
Seniors in California seeking an affordable way to cover their end-of-life expenses should get burial insurance. Offering benefits that cover their needs and relaxed health requirements, burial insurance is a great way for seniors to secure peace of mind.
If you’re interested in burial insurance, you’re in the right place. Final Expense Benefits’ expert agents can help guide you to the policy that fits your health and coverage needs, all at a great price.
Call us at (866) 786-0725, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, to learn more about your burial insurance options or to start your application now. Check our free online funeral cost calculator and quoting tool to check how much coverage you’ll need and how much it could cost.
FAQ
How much does a funeral cost in California?
The average funeral in California costs $8,021, plus an average of $2,200 for a burial plot, though prices vary by location and desired service. For an accurate, personalized estimate, check our customizable funeral cost calculator.
What is burial insurance?
Burial insurance is a low-cost type of whole life insurance designed to offer seniors accessible, affordable coverage. Benefit payouts range from $5,000 to $50,000, plenty to cover the average funeral in California.
How much does burial insurance cost in California?
Burial insurance costs vary by age and payout value, but rates for typical $10,000 burial insurance policies average between $30 and $150 monthly for seniors ages 50 through 80. Check our burial insurance quoting tool for accurate, personalized pricing estimates.