Funeral costs keep climbing, and many families get hit with unexpected bills during an already tough time. Without a plan, you're left scrambling to cover expenses when you should be focused on saying goodbye.

• Not sure whether burial insurance is the right path for your family? The team at After are all here to guide you through your options with transparency, care, and zero pressure. You can call us 24/7 at 1-844-760-0427.

This guide breaks down how burial insurance works, who benefits from it, and what to look for in a provider you can trust.

You'll also see why After's approach to cremation and funeral insurance gives families the clarity and support they deserve without the confusion or hidden costs that come with traditional funeral homes.

What Is Burial Insurance?

Burial insurance, also called final expense insurance, is a type of life insurance that pays for end-of-life costs. A burial insurance policy helps cover expenses like cremation, an urn or casket, death certificates, transportation, and permits.

Burial insurance offers smaller payouts than regular life insurance. The money goes toward funeral expenses, not income replacement or debt payments.

Burial insurance differs from preneed funeral plans. Preneed plans lock you into one funeral home and specific services. Burial insurance gives your family cash to spend anywhere they choose.

Here's how it works in practice:

A relative passes away unexpectedly. You need money for cremation fees, permits, and death certificates. Burial insurance pays these costs immediately. Your family avoids financial stress during grief.

What Does Burial Insurance Typically Cover?

Here’s what burial insurance includes:

• Cremation or burial services: Burial insurance pays for the core expense of cremation or burial. If you choose cremation, the policy helps cover professional handling of remains.
  
  
• Transportation and permits: It covers the cost to transport your loved one from a home, hospital, or hospice to a crematory or funeral facility. It also pays for the required legal permits.
  
  
• Urns, caskets, and containers: Policies often help pay for a cremation urn, a basic casket, or other containers to hold remains.
  
  
• Death certificates: Families usually need certified copies of the death certificate to close bank accounts and settle estates. Burial insurance helps pay for these documents.
  
  
• Memorial or celebration of life services: The payout can cover costs for a memorial service, such as the venue, printed programs, flowers, or related expenses.
  

Burial insurance usually does not cover large medical bills, debts unrelated to funeral costs, or long-term care expenses.

Every policy is different. Some burial insurance for seniors pays out a fixed amount directly to your family, while others may work with specific providers. That’s why transparency matters. Always read the details and ask questions so you know exactly what your plan covers and what it doesn’t.

Who Needs Burial Insurance and When?

Burial insurance works best for people aged 50 and older. These individuals often live on fixed incomes or lack funeral savings.

Many families discover too late how quickly expenses add up after someone dies.  Simple cremation costs thousands of dollars. Burial insurance covers these expenses, so your family won't worry about money during grief.

People in hospice care buy burial insurance for end-of-life planning. They pre-register for services while they can still make decisions. Pre-registration means they document wishes and complete paperwork early. This speeds up everything when death occurs.

Here's a real example:

Your father enters hospice care. He wants cremation, but he doesn't want you facing sudden bills. He buys burial insurance and pre-registers with After. The insurance covers cremation costs, permits, and death certificates. When he passes, you grieve instead of worrying about money.

Burial insurance prevents last-minute financial stress. Families get peace of mind knowing they have a plan ready.

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What to Look for in a Burial Insurance Provider

Choosing a burial insurance provider requires careful attention. Families deserve clear information, fair costs, and real support during difficult times. Here’s what separates a reliable provider from the rest.

Look for Transparent Pricing

A reliable provider shares prices upfront and explains every cost in detail. Clear pricing avoids surprises and helps families plan without fear of hidden fees.

Many providers advertise low prices but add charges later for services like transportation, permits, or paperwork. Always request a written cost breakdown. Providers who avoid this step may not be trustworthy.

Expect a Fast, Simple Claims Process

When someone dies, delays create stress and financial strain. Slow claims force families to cover expenses out-of-pocket until benefits arrive.

Some companies release funds in a few days. Others take weeks. Always ask how long claims take and whether forms can be completed online. A fast claims process lifts a heavy burden when time matters most.

Avoid Hidden Fees

Hidden fees can turn what seems to be an affordable plan into a heavy financial commitment. Some cremation providers charge extra to:

• File death certificates
• Deliver remains
• Obtain permits
• Store remains beyond a set time
  

Families should ask for a full list of potential fees. A trustworthy provider will explain what’s included and warn you about any additional costs. Remember that vague answers are a red flag.

Consider Pre-Planning Options

Pre-planning allows people to document wishes and lock in today’s prices. It prevents price increases and spares families from making rushed decisions under emotional strain.

Without pre-planning, families often have to guess what a loved one would have wanted, and make those decisions. It can be stressful and lead to conflicts. Pre-need arrangements prevent confusion and remove guesswork about final wishes.

Explore Optional Services

Not every family needs the same services. Good providers offer options to meet different cultural, religious, or personal preferences.

Look for providers who offer services like:

• Witness cremations for cultural or religious practices
• Extra certified copies of death certificates
• Delivery of ashes by mail or in person
• Personalized memorial products such as engraved urns or fingerprint keepsakes
  

Flexible options ensure families can arrange a farewell that feels meaningful without unnecessary pressure.

Expect Real, Compassionate Support

You deserve to talk with real people who understand what you're going through. The best burial insurance providers take time to explain everything clearly, without rushing you.

Some companies treat grieving families like numbers on a spreadsheet. They push quick decisions and extra services you don't need.

The right provider listens to your concerns. They answer your questions honestly. They walk you through paperwork at your own pace, never pressuring you to buy more.

When you find a provider who truly cares, you'll feel supported during one of life's hardest moments.

How After Makes Cremation Planning Clear and Supportive

Losing someone you love feels overwhelming. You don't know where to start, and funeral costs pile up quickly. Traditional funeral homes often add confusion and pressure when you're already hurting.

After works differently. We help you make these decisions without the stress.

Start the Process Online or By Phone

You can begin planning with After in minutes. No funeral home visits required. Our website walks you through each step with clear questions and simple explanations.

Prefer talking to someone? Our Care Specialists answer calls 24/7. They explain everything at your pace and help gather documents. No pressure, no sales pitches.

Know Prices Upfront and Avoid Surprises

You deserve to know what things cost before you commit. After lists every cremation package price on our website. Plans start at $995. Each package shows exactly what you get, with transportation, permits, and a scattering urn included.

Many funeral homes hide costs until you're deep in the process. Then surprise bills appear when you can't afford them. After gives you the complete picture from day one.

Flexible Payment and Planning Options

Many funeral homes demand full payment upfront. This creates financial stress when you're already grieving.

After offers payment plans. You can spread costs over time instead of paying everything at once.

Planning ahead? You can pre-register your wishes and lock in today's prices. This protects your family from future price increases. It also saves them from making tough decisions while they're mourning.

After partners with LilyPay to offer flexible payment plans with little to no interest, just a flat fee. You can spread burial insurance and cremation costs over 3, 6, 9, or 12 months. LilyPay also provides crowdfunding options to cover expenses through their Community Gardens platform online for better outreach opportunities.

Compassionate Care, Not Call Centers

After's Care Specialists guide you through paperwork and permits. They honor your cultural or religious customs. They explain local laws in simple terms. This lets you make informed decisions. No unwanted services or scripted responses.

You can stay in control during a time when everything else feels out of control.

Many families share how much this support matters during a hard time:

“Everything was taken care of in 5 minutes. So glad I am not making payments forever! 3 years and done, and now my kids don’t have to worry.”

“After.com was amazing to work with after my mother passed away. Our representative was sympathetic to our situation, answered all of my questions quickly, and helped set up the new payment and delivery contract by the next business day after Mom’s passing. Certificates and Urn arrived very quickly, all within 2 weeks. After.com definitely has my recommendation as a funeral home service to go to.”

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How to Get Started with After

You can set up cremation arrangements with After in a few clear steps, and we help make it easy to get burial insurance (a.k.a. insurance to cover final expenses for cremations, services, etc.). Here’s exactly what to do and what to prepare:

Step 1: Visit the After website section on arranging plans. 

You’ll see all the cremation packages side by side. Each plan lists what it includes, like transportation, permits, death certificates, and optional memorial items.

If you’re not sure which package fits your situation, write down any questions about services, coverage, or costs. You can ask a Care Specialist before you decide.

Step 2: Choose a plan or call for help.
If you know what you need, you can select a plan online and begin right away. If you feel unsure or want help choosing, call After’s Care Specialists any time.
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When you call, have this information ready if possible:

• The name and date of birth of the person you’re arranging services for
• The location (home, hospital, hospice) where the passing has occurred or may occur
• Any special requests, such as multiple death certificates or specific urn delivery options
  

Care Specialists will answer every question in plain language and help you pick the right plan without any pressure.

Step 3: Complete paperwork online or by phone.

We will guide you through a few forms to collect details and confirm your choices. You can fill out everything online from your phone or computer. If you prefer, a Care Specialist can walk you through each form step-by-step over the phone.

If you are pre-planning: You can complete all paperwork now and lock in today’s prices, even if you don’t need services right away.
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If you need immediate help: After’s team will move quickly to confirm arrangements and coordinate transport and care as soon as you finish the paperwork.

Step 4: Lock in your plan.

Once you complete the forms and payment, we finalize your plan. If you’re pre-planning, you get a copy of all documents showing that your wishes are secured and pricing is guaranteed.

Every family has different needs during loss. Some choose prepaid burial plans years in advance. Others prefer flexibility when the time comes.

The After company gives you that flexibility. You get direct cremation services without locking into one funeral home forever.

If you're dealing with a recent loss, we start working immediately to handle transportation, paperwork, and cremation right away. You don't wait when you're already going through so much.

Money shouldn't add stress during grief. After offers payment plans so that you can spread costs over time. You only pay everything upfront if that works better for your family.

You choose what feels right for your situation.