The Iowa State House in Des Moines on a sunny, clear day.

Burial Insurance in Iowa: Seniors' Best Coverage in the Midwest

Updated on Nov 19, 2025 • 7 min read

Iowa is known for its expansive, scenic farmland, beautiful prairies, and kind people. One thing that may be less known is that, at an average of $9,382, the Hawkeye State has some of the highest funeral costs in the nation

 

Iowa seniors may be looking for a way to afford these funeral costs, which can easily exceed $10,000. Iowa funeral prices are high, but burial insurance isn’t. With average monthly costs between $30 and $150 and benefit payouts ranging up to $50,000, burial insurance is a great way for Iowa seniors to take care of their final expenses ahead of time.

 

And if you’re looking for the best burial insurance, you’re in the right place. As a leading burial insurance brokerage, Final Expense Benefits is here to help you find the right policy for your health and budget needs.

Call us at (866) 786-0725 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, to learn more about your best options for burial insurance in Iowa. And if you’d like to see how much your funeral or burial insurance coverage could cost, try our free online funeral cost calculator and personalized quoting tool.

Key takeaways

  • Iowa is one of the priciest states for funerals, with an average cost of $9,382 for a traditional funeral and burial.
  • Iowa seniors should look to burial insurance as an affordable way to cover these expenses and more.
  • Simple laws for Iowa burial insurance help protect senior consumers and promote a trustworthy market.
  • Final Expense Benefits partners with over 20 of the market’s top burial insurance providers to help you find the right Iowa burial insurance policy.

Average Funeral Cost in Iowa

Funeral costs in Iowa are high. The average cost of a funeral in Iowa is $9,382, well above the national average of $8,593. This figure is for a traditional funeral, which includes a memorial service and burial, with costs sure to continue to rise. 

 

Funeral costs in Iowa will vary by your preferred type of funeral. Per Funeralocity, average funeral costs in Iowa range from:

Des Moines, Iowa, USA Downtown city skyline. at dusk.

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.

Funeral costs in Iowa are rising with no end in sight. That’s why smart seniors looking to secure peace of mind for themselves and loved ones rely on burial insurance. Here’s more about funerals in Iowa and how burial insurance can help cover them: 

1

Top Funeral Homes in Iowa

Here are some of the most popular funeral homes in Iowa. Contact them for more accurate Iowa funeral cost estimates:

Funeral Home Location Phone Number Customer Rating
Grinnell, IA
5.0 / 5
Cherokee, IA
5.0 / 5
Carroll, IA
5.0 / 5
Creston, IA
4.5 / 5
Osceola, IA
4.3 / 5

2

Iowa Funeral Cost Breakdown

Iowa funeral costs vary by type, desired services, and location. The most expensive are traditional funerals, because they require pricey funeral home rentals and staffing, officiants, body preservation services, burial plots, and more.

 

Here’s a breakdown of the average cost of a traditional funeral with a burial in Iowa:

  • Basic services
    Basic funeral fees include simple services like funeral directors and permits. Though they’re straightforward, these costs can add up quickly and average $2,854 in Iowa.
  • Transport
    Transportation costs for funerals include fees for moving the body from the morgue to the funeral home and delivering the casket to the cemetery in a hearse. These fees average $849 in Iowa.
  • Service preparation
    Traditional funerals require pricey body preservation and preparation services, including embalming, makeup, and clothing. Funeral service prep costs average about $1,169 in Iowa.
  • Memorial service
    Traditional funeral memorial service costs include charges for officiants, funeral home rentals and staff, flowers, decorations, and more. These costs average $1,010 in Iowa, and will increase if the funeral is a large gathering or requires catering.
  • Casket
    Casket costs vary depending on construction, material, and quality; average wooden caskets cost about $3,500.
  • Burial plot
    Burial plot costs vary by plot type and location and average about $3,315 in Iowa. Costs are typically higher in denser urban areas like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids than in rural regions. 

 

Costs for traditional funerals add up quickly, and funeral homes often require them to be paid up front. Thankfully, burial insurance provides plenty of coverage to cover the high funeral costs in Iowa. Here’s more about burial insurance in Iowa:

Burial Insurance Laws in Iowa

Iowa’s simple burial insurance laws and requirements help protect senior customers: 

  • Free look period
    Iowa state law requires life insurance companies to provide new policyholders a 10-day free look period after receiving the paper copy of their new policy. These new policyholders can use this time to decide if they want to keep the policy, and are entitled to a full refund of paid premiums and service charges if they return it. 
An aerial view of the city of Ames, Iowa, United States.
  • Delayed payout interest
    Iowa state law requires that insurers pay accrued interest on any claimed payout that takes more than 30 days to settle.
  • Iowa Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association
    Iowa state law protects Iowan policyholders and beneficiaries from insurers unable to pay benefits with the Iowa Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association. If the insurer goes out of business or is unable to pay the benefit, this association pays the benefit, up to $300,000.
  • FTC funeral rule
    If you or loved ones are ever confused about funeral charges, remember that the FTC funeral rule entitles you to see a full itemized list of all funeral expenses. You’re also permitted to pick individual services, not just whatever is in the service package offered by the funeral home.

 

Iowa burial insurance laws help protect seniors, their beneficiaries, and life insurance payouts. And if you’re interested in learning more about your rights and best options for burial insurance in Iowa, Final Expense Benefits is here to help. Call us to review your best coverage options or start your application today.

How Much is Burial Insurance in Iowa?

Also known as final expense insurance, burial insurance is a great way for Iowa seniors to ensure security and financial support for their loved ones. This type of whole life insurance provides locked-in rates and benefit payouts that grow in cash value, securing lasting financial peace of mind for loved ones. 

 

Average burial insurance payouts range from around $5,000 to $50,000, enough coverage for funerals, burial plots, cremations, and other end-of-life expenses.

 

Rolling field of corn with siloes, blue sky and clouds in the background.

Burial insurance is a perfect fit for seniors because these policies are designed with complex senior health and financial needs in mind. 

 

Burial insurance providers offer applicants relaxed medical underwriting, allowing seniors with pre-existing medical conditions to qualify for great coverage without high rates. Seniors with managed health concerns can qualify for immediate coverage thanks to these simplified medical requirements.

 

For help finding the perfect burial insurance in Iowa, call Final Expense Benefits today. Don’t wait: rates rise as applicants age, so apply early to secure your best rates.

Iowa Burial Insurance Rates

One of the best benefits of burial insurance is its low rates. It’s ideal for seniors looking to help their loved ones save on funeral costs. With low, locked-in rates, burial insurance provides Iowa seniors with a great bargain. Rates average from around $30 to $150, which is reliable, affordable coverage.

 

Below are sample rates for a typical $10,000 burial insurance policy in Iowa from Mutual of Omaha, one of our top partner burial insurance providers:

Age Monthly Rate (Male) Monthly Rate (Female)
50
$31
$24
55
$36
$28
60
$44
$33
65
$56
$41
70
$75
$53
75
$100
$72
80
$140
$98

These rates are calculated for a $10,000 burial insurance policy in Iowa from Mutual of Omaha, using a non-smoking applicant with no pre-existing health conditions.

To start your application or learn more about burial insurance in Iowa, call Final Expense Benefits today, or check our free online quoting tool.

How Final Expense Benefits Helps You Find Burial Insurance in Iowa

Burial insurance brokerages like Final Expense Benefits work with a variety of burial insurance companies to help you find the plan that best fits your health and budget needs. As a leading agency, we are proud to partner with over 20 of the top burial insurance companies. We handle the hardest parts of your burial insurance search and application process to give you easy access to the coverage you need. 


Our expert agents will help you shop from all of our top-rated partners, find the best policy for your needs, and complete your application – and you can secure our help and coverage at no extra cost from the comfort of your home. To find the best burial insurance in Iowa, call Final Expense Benefits today at (866) 786-0725. Here are some of our top providers:

The Best Burial Insurance in Iowa

Seniors in Iowa have full access to all Final Expense Benefits’ senior life insurance partners, so you’ll have several quality options. 

 

With Final Expense Benefits, we work with only the most affordable and trustworthy life insurance providers, so you can be confident you are getting great coverage. 

 

All our top partners offer quality rates and coverage, but here are some of our top picks for burial insurance in Iowa:

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA cityscape on the Cedar River at dusk.
  • Aetna Accendo
    Thanks to their simplified medical underwriting and discounted rates for seniors 60+, Aetna Accendo is a great choice for those with medical concerns. These policies are a reliable, flexible choice, thanks to backing from CVS Health and access to the broad Aetna Senior Products catalog.
    Best for: Seniors with health concerns seeking reliable coverage.
  • Americo
    Americo Senior Life Insurance is a great choice for seniors looking for reliable, flexible coverage on a budget. Americo also has a variety of life insurance riders, great for covering complex health or budget needs.
    Best for: Seniors in good health seeking low-cost coverage.
  • Mutual of Omaha
    Mutual of Omaha is one of the most popular burial insurance providers thanks to their affordable rates, diverse policies, and acclaimed customer service.
    Best for: Seniors seeking reliable coverage at low rates.

Final Thoughts

Funeral costs are rising across the U.S., and Iowa has some of the highest. That’s why burial insurance coverage is vital for seniors who want to help take care of those expenses ahead of time. Securing a burial insurance policy is a great choice for budget-conscious seniors who want to ensure lasting financial peace of mind for their loved ones.

 

Whether you want to find your policy today or want to learn more about your options, Final Expense Benefits has you covered on your journey to affordable peace of mind. 

Des Moines, Iowa, USA at the Capitol Building from above.

We’re a leading burial insurance agency for a reason: to help seniors secure quality coverage, no matter the budget.

To learn more about your options for burial insurance in Iowa, call Final Expense Benefits at (866) 786-0725 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Check our free online funeral cost calculator and personalized quoting tool to see how much coverage you need and how much it could cost.

FAQ

How much does a funeral cost in Iowa?

Iowa funeral costs vary by funeral type and desired services, but they are some of the highest in the United States. The average cost of a traditional funeral with a burial in Iowa is $9,382, plus an average of $3,315 for a burial plot. Check our funeral cost calculator for personalized estimates.

How can I lower funeral costs in Iowa?

Iowa seniors seeking to lower or cover funeral costs can try government resources or explore non-traditional memorial services, such as:

Though options could help reduce funeral costs, burial insurance is the most reliable way to cover funeral costs in Iowa.

Can you have a natural burial in Iowa?

Also known as green burials, natural burials are permitted in Iowa, though they are permitted only in specific green burial cemeteries. They offer a simpler, less expensive, and more environmentally friendly alternative to costly traditional funerals. 

 

Contact your local government and funeral service provider to find a suitable location. Costs for natural burials vary by type, location, and more.

What is burial insurance?

Burial insurance is a low-cost type of whole life insurance that offers seniors accessible and reliable coverage. Payouts range from about $5,000 to $50,000, plenty to cover funerals and other end-of-life expenses in Iowa.

How much is burial insurance in Iowa?

Rates for burial insurance in Iowa vary by the applicant’s age and health status, payout value, and more. Average monthly rates for a typical $10,000 burial insurance policy in Iowa range from $30 to $150 monthly for seniors ages 50 through 80. Check our free online quoting tool for a personalized pricing estimate. 

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