Whether it’s knocking it out of the park in Camden Yards, digging into a crabcake, or walking through the historic streets of the capital, Maryland is a great place to settle down. Even if funeral costs may seem higher than average compared to the rest of the country, seniors have many choices when it comes to securing final expense insurance. There are plenty of policies for burial insurance in Maryland for every budget and lifestyle, and the state offers public assistance programs to help supplement your finances when laying your loved ones to rest.
Also known as funeral or final expense insurance, burial insurance is an affordable type of whole life insurance policy designed to cover end-of-life costs.
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.
Take a look at the options available in your state, call us at (866) 786-0725, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, and get your burning questions about final expense coverage answered today.
Key takeaways
- The average funeral cost in Maryland is $9,188, before additional burial plot expenses ($3,194)—this can be covered by burial insurance.
- Top providers that offer final expense insurance, like American Amicable, Transamerica, and Mutual of Omaha, can match national average rates.
- Other insurance companies, like Aetna Accendo and Americo, provide Maryland applicants with burial rates lower than the national average.
- For funeral coverage in the Old Line State, there are no state laws that affect the ability to apply for or use burial insurance.
Average Cost of a Funeral in Maryland
The average prices for all funeral types in Maryland—traditional/direct burials and cremations—are higher than the national average.
According to Funeralocity, average funeral costs in the state of Maryland will vary by the type of memorial you or your loved one wants, but you can expect the following prices:
- Traditional funeral with burial service: $9,188 + $3,194 state-average burial plot cost
- Direct burial (burial with no funeral service): $3,600
- Full Service Cremation: $6,866
- Direct cremation (cremation with no funeral service): $2,419
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 Maryland
Here are some of the most popular funeral homes across the Old Line State:
| Funeral Home | Location | Phone Number | Average Customer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Westminster, MD |
5.0 / 5.0 |
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|
Catonsville, MD |
4.9 / 5.0 |
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|
Silver Spring, MD |
4.7 / 5.0 |
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|
Baltimore, MD |
4.4 / 5.0 |
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|
Baltimore, MD |
4.2 / 5.0 |
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Green Burials in Maryland
Green burials, also known as natural or eco-burials, are a type of burial method that allows the deceased to decompose naturally, resulting in minimal environmental impact and the conservation of natural resources. They usually require fewer resources and steps compared to a traditional burial and can be a great, cost-accessible option. Such green burial methods include tree pod burials, burials at sea, and donating your body to science.
Green 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—Maryland is one of those states.
However, despite all of that, different cemeteries have different rules regarding green burials.
Here are some cemeteries in Maryland that allow for green burials:
| Funeral Home | Location | Phone Number | Average Customer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Windsor Mill, MD |
4.6 / 5.0 |
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Clarksburg, MD |
4.4 / 5.0 |
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|
Parole, MD |
4.3 / 5.0 |
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Maryland Funeral Cost Breakdown
The total average cost for funerals, state by state, is determined by several factors, such as the type of service you or your loved ones want. On average, traditional burials are regarded as one of the most expensive options due to the cost of caskets and land plots. Here are some of the additions that will affect your total funeral cost in Maryland:
- Basic Services: includes licensing, funeral director fees, and more. This averages around $2,389 in Maryland.
- Transportation: the state average service is about $1,003 in the Old Line State. Costs include driving caskets in a hearse to the cemetery, as well as general transport to your local morgue.
- Service Preparation: includes body preparation of the deceased, like embalming, a typical process for traditional funerals. Service costs in Maryland are around $1,182.
- Funeral Service: includes funeral service officiants, flower arrangements, decorations, and funeral home rental fees. Costs average $1,114, but can increase with additional accommodations and amenities (I.e., hosting a large gathering, including funeral catering, etc.).
- Casket: the median cost for a wooden casket is about $3,500. No state laws in Maryland mandate the purchase of a casket for burials or cremations, but cemeteries may have different rules. Additionally, burial vaults are not required by law for burial, and casket use is unregulated in Maryland. Check with your cemetery/crematory regarding their requirements as a best practice when deciding what is necessary for your funeral arrangements.
- Burial Plot: average burial plot costs in Maryland are around $3,194 and can vary depending on plot location and type, usually increasing in urban areas compared to rural ones.
Final expense insurance can be used to 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. Note that insurers in the state of Maryland offer burial insurance and do not have any state-specific rules, laws, or regulations affecting the accessibility to this kind of coverage.
Additionally, Maryland offers a state burial assistance program, which aims to provide financial help with the funeral expenses of deceased recipients of public assistance programs administered by the Department of Human Services. However, keep in mind that the following funeral expenses may be excluded under this state program: burial plots, vaults, grave digging, and burial clothing.
Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Laws in Maryland
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.
For example, Marylanders can care for their own dead under state law, fulfilling the duties and functions of a funeral director as long as the service is unpaid.
Burial vaults are not required by law for burial in the state; preparation services such as embalming are also not necessary; and the use of caskets in cemeteries and crematories is unregulated. Check with your cemetery or crematorium for their on-site rules and regulations.
Maryland's Free Look Period & FTC Funeral Rules
Maryland, much like many other states, has a 10-day free look period for insurance policies. The free look period refers to the legally mandated timeframe in which a new life insurance policy owner can terminate an insurance policy without any penalties, such as surrender charges, and receive a refund if a payment was made during that period.
Aside from the free look period, Marylanders should also 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.
Key Comparison: Maryland vs. National Burial Rate Averages
Final expense insurance providers can be found throughout Maryland, with policies available for all ages and budgets. Here are some sample burial insurance rates for anyone between 50 and 80 years old in the 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 Maryland
| 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?
Like a sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning, you want Final Expense Benefits. We’re here to help you and your loved ones make smart decisions during dire times as well as provide top-rated, trusted burial insurance solutions that best fit your 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 Maryland
All of Final Expense Benefits’ trusted partners are available in Maryland. We can get you connected with these insurance providers to help you find a great burial coverage policy that meets your preferences and needs.
Consider these companies if you’re looking for quality coverage in the Old Line State:
- Mutual of Omaha
If you’re looking for the best of the best in terms of policy power and cost-effectiveness, Mutual of Omaha can offer you or your loved ones incredibly competitive insurance rates.
- Aetna Accendo
Aetna Accendo offers simple final expense insurance coverage, strong and stable financial backing, and boasts a history of reliable service. Additionally, policies under Aetna Accendo are backed by CVS Health and offer simplified medical underwriting guidelines, making them an ideal choice for applicants with pre-existing conditions.
- American Amicable
With a time-tested history, American Amicable has proven itself as not just a strong choice for seniors but also one of the most smoker-friendly life insurance providers. - Americo
Americo offers a wide range of life insurance riders, with many policy customization options. People seeking coverage with a smaller budget should look here for affordable rates for great benefits. - Transamerica
One of the largest tenured burial insurance providers in the US and a Final Expense Benefits partner, Transamerica’s policies offer reliable options for seniors seeking coverage.
Final Thoughts
So, when it comes to state law affecting the cost of a burial or burial insurance, nothing will affect your ability to apply for or use such coverage in the state of Maryland. However, you will have to worry about an expensive burial. Green burial sites across the state can offer a cost-accessible option if you’re on a budget. And on top of that, there are in-state programs that can supplement and help cover final expense costs, depending on your qualifications.
Regardless of your plan, all memorials can be covered with solid burial coverage. Companies like Mutual of Omaha, Americo, and Aetna Accendo offer affordable options that can account for seniors’ health and budget. So, if you and your loved ones find yourselves where the waters and opportunities meet, then consider final expense insurance.
To learn more about your options for burial insurance in Maryland or 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 does the average funeral cost in Maryland?
Compared to the national average, the estimated cost of a traditional funeral in Maryland is 7% higher than the national average (~$9,188), while the direct burial prices are around 21% higher (~$3,600).
What does the average cremation cost in Maryland?
When it comes to full service and direct cremation in Maryland, both will be around 9% more expensive (full service: ~$6,866; direct: ~$2,419) compared to the national average.
What’s the best burial insurance provider in Maryland?
Final Expense Benefits recommends burial insurance providers such as Aetna Accendo, Americo, American Amicable, Mutual of Omaha, and Transamerica for their top-rated policies and customer support in the Old Line State. For personalized estimates, check out our free online quoting tool here.
Are green burials allowed in Maryland?
Yes, green burials (also known as natural, conservation, or eco-burials) are legal in Maryland. Despite this fact, not all cemeteries in the state permit green burials, and not every type of green burial is allowed. In general, it’s important to call the funeral home/cemetery you’re interested in and inquire about permissions before determining where to lay your loved ones to rest.