Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance is one of the most popular providers of final expense insurance. However, if you are considering Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage for your final expenses, it is essential to thoroughly research the company before making a decision.
Lincoln Heritage only offers one final expense policy, the Signature Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage Program, and with funeral costs often exceeding $10,000 in the United States, it is important to start planning as early as possible. You don’t want to leave your loved ones with a bill they may struggle to pay.
Thankfully, you have options to ensure you and your loved ones are prepared to cover end-of-life expenses. We recommend final expense insurance since you can customize your coverage to cover projected funeral costs and ensure your loved ones are taken care of after you are gone. If you are interested in learning more about final expense insurance, Final Expense Benefits agents are the experts and are here to help you.
Final Expense Benefits is proud to work with some of the market’s top life insurance companies to ensure you and your loved ones find proper coverage. Call us at (866) 786-0725 or check out our free quoting tool for personalized quotes. Get familiar with the options available to you today.
Key takeaways
Lincoln Heritage advertises affordable rates with their Funeral Advantage policy, but rates are around 26% higher than top-rated providers currently available
Lincoln Heritage’s strict medical underwriting means that you may not be approved for coverage even if you’re in fair health.
A modified plan for Funeral Advantage is available, but it costs significantly more and has a waiting period of two to three years.
Despite a generally positive reputation across third-party rating services, online customer reviews share a mixed view of the company and its practices.
The History Behind Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance was founded by Jack Londen in 1963 and has operated as a family-owned company for over 60 years. The company remains a family-run business with Londen’s descendants becoming involved—including Jack Londen III, the son of Lincoln Heritage’s founder and current CEO. Since then, more than 25 life insurance companies have been acquired and merged under Londen Insurance Group, Inc., Lincoln Heritage’s parent company. Following the company’s growth, Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance remains one of the largest providers in the United States.
The Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage Program
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance’s only policy option is their signature Funeral Advantage plan, a whole life final expense insurance policy. This policy is known for having relaxed health requirements and, like typical burial insurance plans, is intended to cover funeral, cremation, burial plot costs, and other end-of-life charges.
However, the Funeral Advantage plan is particularly restrictive for seniors with pre-existing medical conditions. This is due to Lincoln Heritage’s strict underwriting process, which determines eligibility and rates. Additionally, Lincoln Heritage’s final expense policy has a two-year waiting period, meaning that when the policyholder passes away within that term, their beneficiaries may not receive the entire tax-free death benefit. This is an industry-standard policy, but Lincoln Heritage applies the waiting period to even those in fair health, whereas other providers apply them for those in poor health.
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance’s Funeral Consumer Guardian Society
One benefit of the Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage program is the Funeral Consumer Guardian Society (FCGS) insurance rider.
The FCGS assists seniors with funeral planning and final expense insurance activation, helping to alleviate some of the mental burden of a funeral for seniors and their families. The following is a list of amenities the FCGS offers:
- Assistance in locating affordable funeral services
- Comparing funeral costs to find cost-effective ways to honor loved ones
- Educational resources on funeral services, etiquette, basic costs, and more
- Assistance with reviewing funeral contracts
- Bill payment and contract verification
- Documentation services for final wishes
Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage’s 24-Hour Claim
Lincoln Heritage claims the funeral advantage plan will pay benefits within 24 hours after death, but is this accurate? The reality is that no funeral insurance company can pay death benefits within 24 hours, and the earliest is normally 48 hours after death. No other senior life insurance provider, like Mutual of Omaha or Aetna Accendo, claims to offer a death payout 24 hours after death. So, how is Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance able to make this claim? The truth lies in the wording of their own claims: “approval”.
To verify an insured person’s death for a payout, Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance requires a certified copy of the individual’s death certificate and the original policy document. From there, you will receive the death benefit within 24 hours of Lincoln Heritage receiving and approving the necessary documents. It is also important to note that most Lincoln Heritage policyholders have guaranteed life insurance, which can complicate the process.
At Final Expense Benefits, we partner with top-rated insurance carriers and want you to get the entire payout you agreed to at the start of the policy. Call our expert agents today at (866) 786-0725, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
How Much Does Lincoln Heritage’s Funeral Advantage Plan Cost?
Compared to its market competitors, Lincoln Heritage’s Funeral Advantage plan is just generally pricier. When compared to other top-rated providers, Lincoln Heritage is about 35% more expensive. This is due to the company’s strict underwriting process. Having pre-existing conditions or being a smoker will cause your rates to increase, so if you have the following conditions, it’s recommended that you seek alternate providers for final expense coverage:
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Blood Clots
- Heart Surgery
- Stroke
- Hepatitis A, B, or C
- Cirrhosis
- Kidney Disease
- Bronchitis
- Emphysema
Additionally, even if you don’t have pre-existing conditions or you’re a non-smoker, you’re still going to be paying more on average than other companies that provide similar coverage.
Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage Vs. Sample Carrier - Male Rates
| Male-Age | Lincoln Heritage $10,000 | Top A+ Rated Carrier $10,000 |
|---|---|---|
|
50 |
$41.16 |
$30.68 |
|
55 |
$48.36 |
$35.95 |
|
60 |
$59.26 |
$43.76 |
|
65 |
$68.06 |
$56.48 |
|
70 |
$86.46 |
$74.61 |
|
75 |
$123.56 |
$99.97 |
|
80 |
$183.26 |
$139.73 |
These figures are estimates only, based on a $10,000 final expense insurance policy with no applicant pre-existing conditions.
Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage Vs. Sample Carrier - Female Rates
| Female-Age | Lincoln Heritage $10,000 | Top A+ Rated Carrier $10,000 |
|---|---|---|
|
50 |
$33.96 |
$24.31 |
|
55 |
$38.56 |
$27.71 |
|
60 |
$44.86 |
$32.87 |
|
65 |
$57.46 |
$41.01 |
|
70 |
$75.36 |
$53.24 |
|
75 |
$101.16 |
$72.41 |
|
80 |
$145.06 |
$98.43 |
These figures are estimates only, based on a $10,000 final expense insurance policy with no applicant pre-existing conditions.
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Pros & Cons
Pros
- No medical exam required
The Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage plan does not require a medical exam. Almost any applicant can be approved by answering a health questionnaire to determine individual eligibility and rates.
- Funeral planning assistance included
A feature of the Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage plan is access to assistance from the Funeral Consumer Guardian Society (FCGS). The FCGS provides professional guidance to policyholder families during the funeral process, reviewing funeral contracts and price-shopping local funeral homes on behalf of the family. - Cash value growth.
Like most final expense insurance policies, Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage grows in cash value throughout the plan’s lifetime.
Cons
- Strict underwriting
Even though the Funeral Advantage program claims no waiting period for access to death benefits, the actual underwriting by Lincoln Heritage is fairly strict by final expense insurance standards.
- Two-year waiting period
You may only qualify for a modified plan, which has a two to three-year waiting period before payouts. - No online quotes available, only in-person visits
The only way to receive quotes or claims from Lincoln Heritage is to fill out their online form and wait for a call back. Otherwise, you’re forced to request and receive your quotes from an in-person visit with a sales representative. - High prices.
Compared to top-rated insurance prices, the rates for the Funeral Advantage plan are more expensive despite offering the same level of coverage.
- Mixed customer reviews
Despite having a generally positive track record with third-party rating services, customer reviews across multiple sites share mixed sentiments, with reports of sales representatives’ aggressive tactics, high premiums, and deceptive marketing. - Few insurance options
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance offers final expense coverage through their Funeral Advantage plan. However, if you’re looking for term life or traditional whole life policies, Lincoln Heritage does not offer those types of insurance.
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Third-Party Ratings
1
NAIC
Responsible for tracking down customer complaints against life insurance companies, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) reports those results annually using their complaint index. Insurers in general should aim for a low rating average (ratings range from 0 to 10).
According to their National Complaint Index Report in 2024, Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance’s overall customer complaint index average is 0.72. Additionally, their customer complaint index average for the same year is 0.62.
2
BBB
Known for helping customers identify trustworthy businesses, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) tracks filed complaints and provides dispute resolution services.
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance is accredited by the BBB and is rated an A+, indicating a high mark of confidence in their ability to operate in good faith and resolve consumer complaints. They also have an average customer review rating of 4.15 out of 5.00.
3
AM Best
Surveying and examining companies’ overall credit and financial strength, AM Best aims to protect the average consumer—in this case, anyone seeking life insurance—through their annual findings.
As of July 2025, Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance has been approved for and currently boasts an excellent Financial Strength Rating of A by this third-party rating service. Additionally, Lincoln Heritage also holds a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (considered “excellent” by AM Best metrics).
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance: Customer Reviews
Donna W
5/5
“I was lost! I felt like I didnt have a brain. I did remember a folder was left for me. We never talked about it. I never looked at it. We just put the folder in a safe place. The time came to pull out the folder. I still didnt know what to do or what to expect. I just handed the folder to the funeral home. I heard prices so scary to me. I thought, how am I going to pay this now. I sat there waiting for everything to be complete and signing what I needed to. Then I was told everything is done. The sweet lady from the funeral home took me home. My daughter drove my car home. It was such a great relief. Im Thankful that my love one had the folder for me to take over. I still didnt understand because my head was fuzzy from grief. But, somehow it was taken care of. A piece of paper saying I was given this, dont worry. Lincoln Heritage Thank you for being a part of the smooth process during this difficult time.”
Roxana G
1/5
“Lincoln Heritage is a scam. The took advantage of my mom who is blind. Salesperson guided her through the signature. We found the footage in the home survalence. It is illegal to take advantage of the elderly and disabled Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Laws (Penal Code 368 PC): This law criminalizes abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of individuals 65 years or older or dependent adults with disabilities. It covers various forms of abuse, including physical harm, emotional abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.Undue Influence (Probate Code Section 86): California law recognizes excessive persuasion that overcomes a person’s free will, often affecting vulnerable individuals like the elderly or those with cognitive impairments. It can lead to the creation or alteration of estate planning documents like […] or trusts to benefit the influencer.”
Joseph B
1/5
“I had a representative come out to my home last month cause that was the only company who would approve me for life insurance being disabled due to a stroke. Everything sounded legit and they took the money out of my account but i have contacted the guy several times to find out about my policy when it would be coming cause I was told it would come to him and he would personally bring it out to my home and go over everything but yet won’t return any of my calls and was never received any confirmation emails about where I had signed up for it or anything so I am not happy to say the least. How can they get by with taking advantage of people who are disabled and that was $100.00 out of my disability check i won’t get back that i could have used for other essentials”
How Much Does Final Expense Insurance Usually Cost?
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance’s rates are higher than some of the best providers on the market, so which provider should you go with?
Whole life insurance policies are meant to have your back for life, if monthly premiums are paid. They’re popular options for senior applicants seeking simple, long-term protection. They’re also great options for covering end-of-life expenses while providing cash value growth over time—such is the case with burial insurance.
Sample Whole Life Rates for Seniors
| Company |
Male 50y/o |
Male 60y/o |
Male 70y/o |
Female 50y/o |
Female 60y/o |
Female 70y/o |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$34 |
$50 |
$70 |
$27 |
$40 |
$56 |
|
|
$31 |
$26 |
$43 |
$35 |
$71 |
$53 |
|
|
$31 |
$24 |
$44 |
$33 |
$75 |
$53 |
|
|
$32 |
$59 |
$105 |
$27 |
$46 |
$79 |
|
|
$31 |
$43 |
$70 |
$24 |
$33 |
$53 |
These figures are estimates only, based on a $10,000 final expense insurance policy with no applicant pre-existing conditions.
Final Thoughts
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance is one of the most popular final expense insurance providers. However, there are plenty of other insurance companies that can either offer the same level of coverage or better at a fraction of the cost of the Funeral Advantage plan’s rates. If you have any pre-existing conditions, Lincoln Heritage’s underwriting will significantly increase the price. Again, other carriers can provide coverage at a reasonable rate if you are a smoker or have health issues such as diabetes or cancer.
Additionally, customer reviews for Lincoln Heritage are mixed overall. Some customers praise Lincoln Heritage, while others complain about pushy sales agents and issues receiving death benefit payouts. While some people have had positive experiences, the critiques mentioned in negative and mid-level reviews are too significant to ignore—unless you’re willing to risk and potentially not receive your payout.
Learn more about your insurance carrier options. Don’t forget to call Final Expense Benefits at (866) 786-0725, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, and check out our free online quoting tool for personalized rates.
FAQ
What is burial insurance?
Burial insurance is a whole life insurance policy meant to cover final expenses such as hospice care, memorial services, and other end-of-life costs. It is also known as final expense insurance or funeral insurance, depending on which part of the country you’re in.
Is Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance legit?
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance is a legitimate and licensed provider that provides final expense coverage.
Where is Lincoln Heritage located?
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance’s headquarters is currently located in Phoenix, Arizona.
Who owns Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance?
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance belongs to their parent company, Londen Insurance Group, Inc. The current CEO of Londen Insurance Group, Inc. is Jack Londen III.
Is Lincoln Heritage a pyramid scheme?
No, Lincoln Heritage is not a pyramid scheme or multi-level marketing scheme. However, customer reviews report that sales agents’ tactics are sometimes predatory or pushy.