The short answer
Burial insurance for seniors over 85 is less common. Many insurers stop selling new policies at or before 85, and only a few go higher, often to about 89. Coverage amounts are usually small and premiums are high. A Licensed Insurance Agent can check what is still open, but savings or a prepaid funeral plan are often worth comparing first.
Key takeaways
- Many burial insurance policies stop accepting new applicants at or before age 85.
- A small number of insurers accept applicants in their late 80s, usually with health questions and small coverage amounts.
- After 85, total premiums can add up to more than the benefit within a few years.
- Guaranteed issue policies often have lower age limits, so they may not be available after 85.
- A prepaid funeral plan or a payable-on-death account is often a practical alternative at this age.
Can you get life insurance over 85?
Sometimes. Burial insurance (also called final expense insurance) is a small whole life insurance policy. Each insurer sets a maximum age for new policies, and many of those limits are 80 or 85. A smaller group of insurers accept applicants in their late 80s.
- Policies sold after 85 usually ask health questions. If your answers are accepted, some can pay in full from day one.
- Guaranteed issue policies, with no health questions, often stop at a lower age. They may not be an option.
- Coverage amounts are often small, enough for a basic funeral or cremation.
- Age limits vary by company and state.
If you are 84 or 85, ask how the insurer counts age. Some insurers count your age from your nearest birthday, which can move an age limit about six months earlier.
Do the math first
At this age, premiums are high compared with the benefit. Divide the coverage amount by the monthly premium. That tells you how many months it takes for premiums to equal the benefit.
Example (hypothetical): Say the coverage amount is about 33 times the monthly premium. Then it takes about 33 months, under 3 years, for premiums to equal the benefit. If the policy has a two-year waiting period, it pays in full for death from illness only after month 24. The time when the policy pays more than saving the same money would is short.
If the break-even time is short and you are in reasonable health, a level policy with no waiting period can still make sense. If not, putting the same monthly amount into savings may leave your family more. See is burial insurance worth it?
Policy types after 85
| Type | Health questions | First 2 years | Often available after 85? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Yes | Full benefit from day one | From a few insurers, if health answers are accepted |
| Graded | Yes | Partial benefit or refund of premiums | From a few insurers |
| Guaranteed issue | None | Usually a refund of premiums, often plus interest | Less often. Age limits are frequently lower |
Accidental death is usually paid in full from day one on all types. See burial insurance with no waiting period for how waiting periods work.
What insurers check after 85
- Your answers to health questions. At this age, most policies that are still sold ask them.
- Your prescription history, which many insurers check with your permission.
- Sometimes an MIB report. MIB is a record-sharing service used by member life insurers, and you can request one free copy of your own file each year.
Answer every question honestly. The Texas Department of Insurance notes that life insurance policies have a two-year contestable period, when the insurer may review the application after a claim. When the policy arrives, use the free look period to read it. It is often 10 days or more, and California requires at least 30 days for senior citizens.
Buying for a parent over 85
Adult children often search for coverage at this age. Your parent must agree, sign the application and answer the health questions. If your parent cannot understand the application because of memory loss, many insurers will not issue a policy. See burial insurance for parents. A prepaid funeral plan arranged with your parent is often a more straightforward option.
Who it is not right for
- People who already have enough savings for the funeral.
- People with a serious or terminal illness. A waiting period would likely apply, or the application may be declined.
- People on a tight fixed income who might not keep up the payments.
- People whose break-even time is longer than they expect to keep paying.
Other ways to plan
| Option | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Prepaid funeral plan | A contract with a funeral home for set services | Often no health questions. State protections vary. See prepaid funeral plans |
| Payable-on-death account | A bank account that passes to the person you name | Money stays yours while you live |
| Burial trust or savings | Money set aside only for the funeral | See burial trust funds |
| Existing policies | Old life insurance from work, a union or years ago | Check papers and bank statements for premium payments |
| VA benefits | Burial help for eligible veterans | See veterans burial benefits |
The FTC Funeral Rule lets you get itemized prices and choose only the services you want, which can lower the amount you need to plan for. Social Security pays only a one-time $255 to an eligible spouse or child.
What to ask a Licensed Insurance Agent
- Which insurers still accept new applicants at my age in my state?
- Is this policy level, graded or guaranteed issue?
- What is the maximum coverage I can buy at my age?
- How many months until my premiums equal the benefit?
- How long is the free look period in my state?
You can talk with a Licensed Insurance Agent. It is fine to decide that savings or a prepaid plan make more sense.
Common questions
Can an 88-year-old woman get burial insurance?
Possibly, but choices are very limited. A few insurers accept applicants up to about 89, usually with health questions and small coverage amounts. Women usually pay less than men of the same age. A Licensed Insurance Agent can check which companies accept her age in her state. Compare the total premiums with the benefit first.
Is there burial insurance up to age 85?
Yes. Many burial and final expense policies accept new applicants up to age 85, and that is a common cutoff. If you are close to 85, ask whether the insurer uses your nearest birthday, which can move the cutoff about six months earlier.
Is there a waiting period on burial insurance over 85?
It depends on the policy. Guaranteed issue policies usually have one, often two years for death from illness, though many are not sold after 85. Some policies with health questions can pay in full from day one if your answers are accepted. Accidental death is usually covered from the start.
Is a prepaid funeral plan better than insurance at 85?
It can be, especially if you know which funeral home you want and do not plan to move. Prepaid plans often have no health questions. Insurance pays cash that can be used anywhere. Ask how prepaid money is protected in your state and what happens if you cancel. Compare both before you decide.
How much coverage can I get over 85?
Usually a small amount. Insurers that sell after 85 often cap coverage lower than at younger ages. Many people aim for enough to help pay for a direct cremation or a basic funeral. Get local funeral prices first, then decide whether a policy or savings is the better way to plan for that amount.
Can I buy burial insurance for my parent over 85?
Possibly, if an insurer still accepts your parent's age and your parent agrees, signs the application and answers the health questions. You can be the owner, payer and beneficiary. If your parent has memory problems and cannot understand the application, many insurers will not issue a policy. A prepaid funeral plan is often a more straightforward option.
Can an 89-year-old get burial insurance?
Possibly, but very few insurers accept new applicants at 89, and some count age from the nearest birthday, which can treat an 89-year-old as 90 about six months early. Any policy offered is likely small, with high premiums and health questions. Compare the total premiums with the benefit, and compare savings or a prepaid plan too.
Can an 87-year-old man get burial insurance?
Possibly. A few insurers accept applicants in their late 80s, usually with health questions and small coverage amounts. Men usually pay more than women of the same age. A Licensed Insurance Agent can check which insurers accept his age in his state. Work out how many months it takes for premiums to equal the benefit before deciding.
Does Medicare pay for funerals for people over 85?
No. Medicare pays for health care, including hospice care, but not for funerals, burial or cremation. Social Security pays a one-time $255 to an eligible surviving spouse or child. Veterans may have VA burial benefits. See our guide to whether Medicare pays for funeral expenses.