When it comes to companies that provide life insurance in North Carolina, which of them deliver quality final expense coverage? How do their rates in the Old North State compare to the rest of the US? We’ll give you an overview of state-specific rules, estimates, and our recommendations for burial insurance.
Final Expense Benefits works with over 20 of the best burial insurance companies and can help you find a quality policy under any condition and at any price range.
Get familiar with the options available in your state and call us at (866) 786-0725, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, and get your burning questions about burial insurance in North Carolina answered.
Key takeaways
- The average funeral cost in North Carolina is $8,139, a price that a top-rated burial insurance provider can cover.
- Burial insurance from the best providers in the state—Mutual of Omaha, American Amicable, and Transamerica—is the same as the national average.
- Meanwhile, providers such as Aetna Accendo and Americo offer coverage at lower rates compared to the rest of the country.
- While there are state-specific processes to follow, there are no state laws that affect your ability to apply for or use burial insurance.
Average Cost of a Funeral in North Carolina
The average prices for any kind of burial in North Carolina are significantly different from the national average. Traditional burials in the state are approximately 5% lower than the average national cost, and affordable burials are only 1% higher. Additionally, a full-service cremation in the state is notably more expensive, with averages about 13% higher compared to the rest of the country, while direct cremations are 12% cheaper.
According to Funeralocity, average funeral costs in North Carolina will vary by the type of memorial you or your loved one wants:
- Traditional funeral with burial service: $8,139 + $2,637 average burial plot cost
- Direct burial (burial with no funeral service): $2,850
- Cremation with traditional funeral service: $5,888
- Direct cremation (cremation with no funeral service): $1,933
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 North Carolina
These are some of the most popular funeral homes in North Carolina:
| Funeral Home | Location | Phone Number | Average Customer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Concord, NC
|
5.0 / 5.0 |
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Mooresville, NC |
4.9 / 5.0 |
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Asheville, NC |
4.9 / 5.0 |
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Durham, NC |
4.6 / 5.0 |
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Greensboro, NC |
4.1 / 5.0 |
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North Carolina Funeral Cost Breakdown
The general cost for funerals in North Carolina will depend on several factors and vary based on the type of memorial service you want for yourself or your loved ones. Traditional funerals, on average, are the most expensive due to the cost of caskets and burial plots. Costs will also vary and affect your funeral cost, some of which include the following:
- Basic Services: includes licensing, funeral director fees, and more.
- Transportation: includes transportation costs from the morgue and for driving caskets in a hearse to the cemetery.
- Service Preparation: includes embalming, an expensive body preparation procedure, necessary for traditional funerals.
- Service: includes costs for memorial service officiants, flower arrangements, decoration, and funeral home rental fees. Costs here can increase if you choose to host a large gathering or opt for funeral catering.
- Casket: will vary widely in price; the median cost for an average wooden casket is about $3,500. Funeral homes can’t require a certain type of casket or vault, but cemeteries may have different rules—check with your cemetery of choice regarding their preferences for more information.
- Burial Plot: burial plot costs will vary by location.
Also known as final expense insurance, burial insurance is a type of whole life insurance used to cover funeral, cremation, and many other final expenses. Typical burial insurance policies don’t require medical exams, accept most applicants regardless of health, and average benefits payouts range from $5,000 to $50,000. Insurers in North Carolina do offer burial insurance and do not have any state-specific rules/laws affecting the accessibility to this kind of coverage.
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Natural Burial in North Carolina
Natural burials, also known as eco- or green burials, are a type of burial method that allows the deceased to decompose naturally. The body is prepared in a way that causes minimal environmental impact and aids in the conservation of natural resources. They typically require fewer resources and steps compared to a traditional burial and can be a great, cost-accessible option.
Green burials are legal across all 50 US states. Funeral and burial regulations vary across individual states, with California, Georgia, Maryland, and Washington being the only regulated states. However, despite legal and state regulations, not all cemeteries allow for green burial.
Here are some cemeteries in the state of North Carolina that permit green burials:
| Funeral Home | Location | Phone Number | Average Customer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
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Cedar Grove, NC
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4.9 / 5.0 |
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Mills River, NC |
4.9 / 5.0 |
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Wake Forest, NC |
4.4 / 5.0 |
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Asheville, NC |
4.3 / 5.0 |
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Candler, NC |
3.8 / 5.0 |
Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Laws in North Carolina
Processes for funerals, burials, and cremations are similar throughout the US. However, in North Carolina, few matters are managed at the state level, such as burial requirements, preservation services, death notifications, and more.
If you want to learn more about how final expense insurance ties into it all, talk to our team of experts at Final Expense Benefits and call (866) 786-0725.
24-Hour Body Claim Rule
Before any sort of final arrangements can be made, in accordance with the North Carolina General Assembly, a death must be reported within 24 hours (“notification of death”) by anyone taking custody of the deceased.
If a body is unclaimed, it is transported to the city of Raleigh for cremation and subsequently delivered to the North Carolina Chief Medical Examiner’s Office for burial at sea.
Death Certificates
The medical examiner’s office issues death certificates, which must be signed by a physician or another authorized person. In North Carolina, requests for a death certificate have to be honored within three days and must be filed with the county registrar within five days (which is usually done by the funeral home, mortuary, or crematory).
Embalming Requirements
Embalming is still fairly common, but it is rarely necessary. In the state of North Carolina, there are no laws or regulations that require people to embalm the deceased.
Burial Requirements
Every state in the US has laws that affect what happens to a body after death. In the state of North Carolina, there are a few unique rulings regarding burial requirements to know.
For instance, home funerals are legal in North Carolina and do not require you to involve a licensed funeral director in making or carrying out final arrangements. The responsibility to make your funeral decisions can go to the following people (from highest to lowest priority):
- A person you appoint in a written document (including a health care power of attorney or other written statement that meets North Carolina law requirements)
- Your surviving spouse
- Your [locatable] adult children
- Your parents
- Your [locatable] adult siblings
- Your next of kin
- Your caretaker
- A public official
- An institutional representative
- Any other person willing to assume responsibility
Burial on private property is also allowed in the state of North Carolina (city and/or country laws permitting). As a best practice, if you do bury a body on private land, you should indicate where the burial ground is located on the property and file it with the property deed.
Burial Requirements
When it comes to cremating a body in North Carolina, you must stand a 24-hour waiting period following a death before cremation can occur, have a signed Cremation Authorization Form from the next-of-kin, and a signed death certificate. State law requires that the ashes may be placed in a crypt, niche, grave, kept at home, or scattered.
The Free Look Period & FTC Funeral Rules in North Carolina
The free look period is the required time during which a new life insurance policy owner can terminate the policy without any penalties, such as surrender charges, and even receive a refund if a payment was already made during that time. A free look period typically lasts at least 10 days but can be longer depending on insurers’ policies and state laws. This law exists in all states. In North Carolina, the free look period must be a minimum of 10 days for new policies and a minimum of 20 days for replacement policies.
Aside from being wary of the free look period for funeral planning, it’s important to keep note of the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule. The law in question requires funeral homes to provide you with written prices for their products and services upfront. Additionally, the rule allows you to select only what products and services you want from them and grants you the right to reject any prepackaged options presented to you.
How Does North Carolina Compare to National Rates?
Burial insurance in the U.S. varies by state, and in North Carolina, final expense coverage is generally available for all ages and cost-accessible compared to the rest of the country.
Final Expense Benefits prides itself on keeping rates transparent and accessible for anyone interested in purchasing coverage. Here are some sample rates of the best burial insurance providers nationwide for seniors in North Carolina aged 50 to 80.
Sample Burial Insurance Rates in North Carolina
| Age | Monthly Rate (Male) | Monthly Rate (Female) |
|---|---|---|
|
50 |
$31 |
$24 |
|
55 |
$36 |
$28 |
|
60 |
$43 |
$33 |
|
65 |
$54 |
$41 |
|
70 |
$70 |
$53 |
|
75 |
$97 |
$71 |
|
80 |
$136 |
$101 |
For $10K policies from Transamerica with non-smoking applicants and no pre-existing conditions in the state of North Carolina.
Why Choose Final Expense Benefits?
Since 2019, Final Expense Benefits has been dedicated to helping seniors across the country protect themselves and their loved ones with trusted final expense solutions catering to their needs. Ensuring your peace of mind is our top priority—if you’re interested in learning more about burial insurance, check out 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 North Carolina
Final Expense Benefits can get you connected with our top-rated life insurance partners to help you find a great burial insurance policy in North Carolina.
Check out these companies if you’re looking for quality coverage in the Old North State:
- Mutual of Omaha
Mutual of Omaha has been one of the biggest names in the life insurance industry thanks to their great rates nationwide and exemplary customer service.
- Aetna Accendo
Aetna Accendo offers simple final expense insurance coverage, strong and stable financial backing, and boasts a history of reliable service.
- American Amicable
With over 100 years of service, 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 Financial Life is an industry leader in the burial insurance market and can provide a reliable product for seniors. Regardless of pre-existing conditions or if you’re a smoker, Americo can offer cheap rates for great benefits. - Transamerica
Transamerica is a large burial insurance provider and a Final Expense Benefits partner. Their policies are reliable burial insurance options for seniors.
Conclusion
In the state of North Carolina, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to state-specific laws affecting your ability to use burial insurance.
And while prices may vary depending on what kind of funeral you select, many reputable burial insurance providers can offer you top-quality coverage at reasonable rates.
Call Final Expense Benefits at (866) 786-0725 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET to learn more about your North Carolina burial insurance options. To see how much coverage you may need and how much it could cost, check our free online funeral cost calculator and quoting tool.
FAQ
What does the average funeral cost in North Carolina?
The average price for traditional burial in North Carolina is 5% lower than the national average at $8,139, while direct burial in the state is 1% higher than the national average at $2,850.
What does the average cremation cost in North Carolina?
The average cost for a cremation with traditional funeral service included in North Carolina is 13% higher than the national average at $5,888. As for direct cremations, those are 12% cheaper in the state compared to the rest of the U.S. at $1,933.
What’s the best burial insurance provider in North Carolina?
Final Expense Benefits recommends companies such as Aetna Accendo, Americo, Mutual of Omaha, American Amicable, and Transamerica as top-rated burial insurance providers in North Carolina. For personalized estimates, check out our free online quoting tool.
Are natural burials allowed in North Carolina?
Yes—natural burials, also known as a green burial or a conservation burial, are legal in the state of North Carolina and can be covered by burial insurance. However, despite legal and state regulations, not all cemeteries allow for natural burial.