In Kentucky, the cost of a solid burial insurance policy is an absolute bargain. And with no state laws, rules, or regulations hindering applicants from using their coverage or applying for them, finding a solid plan is about as easy as betting on the right horse. “Just how easy is it?” you may ask—look no further than here at Final Expense Benefits.
Burial insurance, also known as funeral or final expense insurance, is an affordable type of whole life insurance policy designed to cover end-of-life costs. And at Final Expense Benefits, we’ve partnered up with over 20 of the best burial insurance companies to help you find a policy under any condition at any budget.
If you’re looking for burial coverage in the Bluegrass State or elsewhere, call Final Expense Benefits at (866) 786-0725, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, and learn more about final expense insurance today.
Key takeaways
- Burial insurance can cover the costs of an average funeral, which costs about $8,393 in Kentucky before additional burial plot expenses ($2,323).
- Top providers that offer burial insurance, like Mutual of Omaha, American Amicable, and Transamerica can match national average rates in KY.
- Meanwhile, Americo and Aetna Accendo offer rates cheaper than the national average.
- There are no laws in Kentucky that currently affect people’s ability to apply for or use burial insurance.
Average Cost of a Funeral in Kentucky
Average prices for a funeral in Kentucky are mixed. For direct burials, you can expect costs to be about 25% higher than the national average. Compare that with full service cremations, where you can find expenses to be around 23% cheaper than the national average. Other funeral types, such as traditional burials and direct cremations, are also less expensive by 2-8%.
According to Funeralocity, the average funeral costs in Kentucky will vary based on what kind of funeral you want:
- Traditional Funeral with burial service: $8,393 + $2,323 state-average burial plot cost
- Direct burial: $2,950
- Full Service Cremation: $4,823
- Direct cremation: $2,031
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.
Top Funeral Homes in Kentucky
Here are some of Kentucky’s most popular funeral homes:
| Funeral Home | Location | Phone Number | Average Customer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Owensboro, KY |
4.9 / 5.0 |
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|
Hartford, KY |
4.7 / 5.0 |
||
|
Caneyville, KY |
4.6 / 5.0 |
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|
Leitchfield, KY |
4.5 / 5.0 |
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|
Louisville, KY |
4.3 / 5.0 |
Kentucky Funeral Cost Breakdown
State by state, the average funeral price relies on several factors, such as the type of service you or your loved ones want and any additional services. Typically, traditional burials are often regarded as the most expensive burial option due to the cost of land plots and caskets.
Here are some of the components that will affect your total funeral cost in the Bluegrass State:
- Basic Services: the costs here average around $2,173 in Kentucky and include licensing, funeral director fees, and more.
- Transportation: includes charges for hearse driving services to the cemetery of your choice, as well as general transport to your local morgue. The state average here is about $708.
- Service Preparation: includes embalming, a typical process for traditional funerals. This service costs around $1,053 in Kentucky.
- Funeral Service: includes memorial service officiants, flower arrangements, decorations, and funeral home rental fees. Costs average $959, but can increase with additional accommodations and amenities (I.e., hosting large gatherings, funeral catering, etc.).
- Casket: A wooden casket costs about $3,500 (median cost). No state laws in Kentucky mandate the purchase of a casket for burials or cremations, but cemeteries may have different rules. It’s important to check with your cemetery for their requirements when deciding whether a casket is necessary for your funeral.
- Burial Plot: an average burial plot costs around $2,323 in Kentucky and can vary depending on the type of plot you want and where it’s located, with costs typically increasing in urban areas compared to rural ones.
Final expense insurance can cover funerals, cremations, and many other end-of-life costs. Typical burial insurance policies don’t require medical exams and accept most applicants regardless of health, with average benefits payouts ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Insurance providers in Kentucky offer burial insurance and do not have any state-specific rules/laws affecting the accessibility of this coverage.
Kentucky Laws and Expectations
Processes for funerals, burials, and cremations are similar throughout the US—but several matters are managed at the state level. Here are some state-specific rules and regulations you need to follow if you plan on laying someone to rest in Kentucky.
Kentucky’s Free Look Period & FTC Funeral Rules
In Kentucky, like most states, you have a standard 10-day free look period. The free look period is the required time during which a new life insurance policy owner can terminate an insurance policy without penalty, such as surrender charges, and receive a refund if a payment was made during that time. Additionally, the state also grants a 30-day grace period for life insurance policyholders to pay a missed premium without their policy lapsing.
Aside from the free look period, the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to provide consumers with written prices for their products and services upfront. It also 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.
Death Certificates and the KY-EDRS
Death certificates in Kentucky are managed through the Kentucky Electronic Death Registration System (KY-EDRS), the system responsible for recording all those who have passed throughout the state. Funeral directors are expected to complete their portion of the death certificate filing and submit it to the medical certifier electronically through the KY-EDRS. It is important to note that all death certificates must be filed through the KY-EDRS system with the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics.
Burials and Cremations
When it comes to burials, there aren’t any particular rules or regulations requiring bodies to be buried in a casket or vault (permissions depend on cemetery rules).
However, there are explicit rules regarding who can make final deposition decisions on behalf of the dearly departed, establishing a hierarchy of authority. The priority list of individuals goes as follows (from first to last):
- A designated representative named in a written declaration by the deceased
- A spouse
- Adult children
- Surviving parents
- Grandchildren
- Siblings
- Next of kin
- Anyone who possesses a prepaid funeral plan that sets out the departed’s arrangements
Additionally, before transport to a funeral home, coroners must issue a permit granting authorization.
If cremation is your preference, the coroner must issue a permit granting authorization before a body can be legally cremated.
Burial Insurance Rate Comparison: Kentucky vs. National
Burial insurance is available for all ages and budgets. Take a look at some sample burial insurance rates for anyone between 50 and 80 years old in the state and how they compare to national averages:
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 Kentucky
| 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?
If you’re looking for a broker that knocks it out of the park, then you’re going to want help from Final Expense Benefits. We’re here to help you and your loved ones make smart decisions and provide top-rated, trusted burial insurance solutions that best fit you and your loved ones’ needs and budget.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to cover memorial 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 Kentucky
Final Expense Benefits can get you connected with our top-rated life insurance partners to help you find a great burial insurance policy in the Bluegrass State—consider these providers if you’re looking for funeral coverage in Kentucky:
- Mutual of Omaha
Mutual of Omaha has been one of the biggest names in the life insurance industry thanks to their great rates and excellent customer service.
- Aetna Accendo
Offering simple final expense insurance coverage, Aetna Accendo boasts strong, stable financial backing and a long track record for reliable service. Backed by CVS Health and providing simplified underwriting guidelines, this provider is an ideal choice for applicants with pre-existing conditions.
- American Amicable
With over 100 years of service, American Amicable is not just a strong choice for seniors but also one of the best providers for smokers seeking whole life coverage. - Americo
Americo is an industry leader in burial insurance, offering a wide range of life insurance riders and a reliable product for seniors. Regardless of pre-existing conditions or if you’re a smoker, Americo consistently offers policies cheaper than the national average. - Transamerica
One of the largest final expense insurance providers, Transamerica is one of the largest burial insurance providers and a Final Expense Benefits partner. Policies under the company are regarded as reliable burial insurance options for seniors nationwide.
Final Thoughts
In Kentucky, nothing can stop you or your loved ones from investing in burial insurance. And, unless you’re planning to try for a direct burial, the average funeral costs in the Bluegrass state are generally cheaper in comparison to the national average.
Regardless of your memorial plans, funeral expenses can be covered with solid burial coverage. That’s where trusted providers like Mutual of Omaha, American Amicable, Americo, Aetna Accendo, and Transamerica come into the picture, offering policies
at competitive rates for any budget and for anyone with or without medical conditions. If you and your loved ones find yourselves spending the golden years in the land of tomorrow, then consider final expense insurance.
Learn more about how you can start applying for your ideal burial insurance plan today. Call Final Expense Benefits at (866) 786-0725, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
FAQ
What does the average funeral cost in Kentucky?
The average direct burial in Kentucky will cost $2,950, which is about 25% more than the national average. Traditional burial costs in the state average around $8,393, which is around 2% cheaper than the national average.
What does the average cremation cost in Kentucky?
Full service cremation costs in Kentucky are around $4,823, 23% cheaper than the national average. Direct cremations are only about 8% cheaper at $2,031.
Which provider is the best for burial insurance in Kentucky?
Aetna Accendo, Americo, American Amicable, Mutual of Omaha, and Transamerica are considered to be strong providers thanks to their top-rated policies and quality customer support. For personalized estimates, use our free online quoting tool here.
Are green burials allowed in Kentucky?
Yes, green burials (also known as natural, conservation, or eco-burials) are legal in Kentucky but unregulated. Not all cemeteries will allow for green burials, so it’s encouraged that you inquire about such permissions at a site before your memorial service.
What is burial insurance?
Also known as final expense insurance or funeral insurance, burial insurance is a type of whole life insurance that can cover final expenses such as funeral, cremation, and other costs. In Kentucky, no state-specific rules or laws will affect you or your loved ones from applying for or using burial insurance for funeral costs.