How To Buy Burial Insurance For Seniors Age 81

Danny Ray last updated on February 1, 2024

Written by Daniel Ray, Life Insurance Expert | ✅ Fact Checked by

Lisamarie Monaco | Editorial Disclosure

If you are in search of burial insurance for seniors age 81 then you came to the right place.

We will be looking at what’s important in your search, rates that are available, the carriers that are best for age 81, and the process of paying the death claim for your family.

Above all, we will keep this simple and straightforward.

At any time you are ready to see rates, feel free to click on “Compare Quotes”.

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What Type of Life Insurance is Best For Seniors Age 81

Above all, when looking for burial insurance for seniors at age 81 you are pretty limited. In fact, term life, universal life, and most traditional whole-life policies most likely aren’t available over age 80.

However, the simplified issue whole life is tailored for seniors over the age of 80.

These are policies you may have heard of. They are called many names to describe what they are exactly, which is a simplified issue whole life.

Some names include:

Burial Insurance
Final Expense Insurance
Cremation Insurance
Funeral Insurance
End of Life Insurance

Make no mistake, these are ALL the same!

What is Simplified Issue Whole Life Insurance

Unlike traditional whole life or term life insurance, simplified issue whole life does not require a paramedical exam. This is great when looking for burial insurance for seniors age 81.

In fact, just a few health questions, the medications you are taking should be sufficient enough to get you approved in minutes.

There are four rating classes that will determine whether or not you will need a waiting period. These rate classes will also determine the rate you pay.

The rate classes are:

Level Premium (Immediate Coverage/Best Rate)
Level Standard (Immediate Coverage)
Graded/Modified (Usually a one-year waiting period, then a fractional payout the second year, or, a fractional payout for year 1 (30%), year 2 (70%), then full payout on year 3.
Guaranteed Acceptance Policy (Two-year waiting period/ROP)

These rating classes will be determined by the questions that are asked. We will go over these in more detail later in this article. We also have burial insurance for ages over 85 until age 90.

But first, let’s look at some sample rates.

Burial Insurance Rates for Seniors Age 81

Now that we know what type of insurance you can get and the rate classes that will determine the price, let’s look at some actual rates with top carriers for age 81.

Age 81 (Male Rates)

Age 81 (Female Rates)

Best Burial Insurance Carriers For Seniors Age 81

Ok, you have seen rates, the right product, and what the rating class means, now let’s look at the company that will be cutting a check to your loved ones when the day comes.

Above all, you want to make sure the carrier you choose is the best one for cutting a check. In fact, that will depend on the following:

Financial Stability (A.M.Best Rating)
Customer Complaint Index
Customer Service

The carriers we bring to our clients are heavily vetted. We take a look at our carriers every quarter to make sure they are on the up and up.

When it comes to age 81, we have put together the best carriers based on a combination of financial stability, Customer service, customer complaints, and what the lowest rate could be.

Here are the top carriers for age 81:

Top Burial Insurance Carriers For Age 81

Above are the best options for seniors age 81. Do not let anyone tell you differently. You will have your mailbox cluttered with index cards and late-night TV spokesmen telling you what to buy with Gimmicky insurance that costs $9.95. Do not fall for it.

Here is a great article on this topic, avoid these carriers like the plague!

Underwriting Process When Buying Burial Insurance For Age 81

Above all, seniors are bombarded with TV ads from Jonathan Lawson, the paid spokesman from Colonial Penn. In addition, your mailbox is being fluttered with offers from Globe and AARP.

Let me be bold, these are ALL two-year waiting period policies. In addition, most are not true lifetime policies. So stop taking the bait of convenience, you are only hurting your family.

These carriers will offer things like, “No questions asked”, or, “Instant Approval”, these are hybrid gimmicks. Also, they are 30-50% higher in price.

For example, Open Care and Physicians Mutual both offer waiting period policies.

If you want the best policy available, you must answer health questions. In fact, if you have been declined in the past, don’t be discouraged.

More than half of our clients that have been declined come to us and we find them immediate coverage with no waiting period.

Health Questions That Need To Be Answered

Here are the qualifying questions that we ask our clients to match them up with the best carrier:

1. Is the Proposed Insured currently:

(a) bedridden or confined to any hospital, nursing home, long-term care facility, or skilled nursing facility; or receiving or have been advised to receive care in a nursing home, hospice care, or home health care?
(b) requiring assistance with activities of daily living such as taking medications, bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, getting in and out of a chair or bed, or control of bowel or bladder problems?
(c) requiring any of the following (other than for fractures, bone or joint surgery, including replacement): wheelchair, electric scooter, or oxygen equipment to assist breathing (excluding use for sleep apnea)?

2. Has the Proposed Insured ever been:

(a) diagnosed as having Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), AIDS Related Complex (ARC), or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection (symptomatic or asymptomatic) or been treated for AIDS, ARC, or HIV by a physician or health care provider?
(b) diagnosed with, been treated for, or advised by a physician or health care provider to receive treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, Huntington’s Disease, Sickle Cell Anemia, Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Down’s Syndrome, mental incapacity, congestive heart failure, Cirrhosis, Metastatic Cancer or Recurrent Cancer of the same type?
(c) diagnosed with insulin shock, diabetic coma, or had an amputation due to diabetic complications or diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease or requiring dialysis?
(d) advised to receive or have received an organ or bone marrow transplant?
(e) diagnosed by a physician or health care provider as having a terminal medical condition that is expected to result in death within the next 12 months.

3. In the past 12 months, has the Proposed Insured been:

(a) advised by a physician to have a surgical operation, or diagnostic testing other than for routine screening purposes or for those related to HIV/AIDS, treatment, hospitalization, or other procedure which has not been done or for which results are not known?
(b) diagnosed by a physician or health care provider as having heart disease or heart surgery of any kind?

4. In the past 2 years,

(a) has the Proposed Insured been diagnosed with, treated for, or advised by a physician or health care provider to receive treatment for any form of cancer (except basal or squamous cell skin cancer)?

5. Has the Proposed Insured ever (a) received care or treatment for, or (b) been advised by a physician or health care provider to seek treatment for:

(a) Diabetes before age 50 or diabetes at any age with complications of Retinopathy (eye), Nephropathy(kidney), Neuropathy (nerve), or Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD or PAD)?
(b) Hepatitis C?
(c) Chronic Lung Disease, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, or Sarcoidosis?

6. In the past 4 years, has the Proposed Insured: (a) received care or treatment for, or (b) been advised by a physician or health care provider to seek treatment for:

(a) Cancer, Leukemia, Melanoma or any other internal cancer (except basal or squamous cell skin cancer)?
(b) Chronic Kidney Disease, Systemic Lupus, or Scleroderma?
(c) Bipolar Depression, Schizophrenia, Parkinson’s Disease, or Multiple Sclerosis?

7. In the past 2 years, has the Proposed Insured: (a) received care or treatment for, or (b) been advised by a physician or health care provider to seek treatment for:

(a) Coronary Artery Disease, Heart Attack, Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, Angioplasty, Cardiomyopathy, irregular heart rhythm, or Valvular Heart Disease with surgical repair or replacement?
(b) Have you ever had a Stroke, Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA),
(c) If so, how long ago

8. In the past 2 years, has the Proposed Insured:

(a) been convicted of or currently awaiting trial for a felony?
(b) been treated for or advised to have treatment for alcohol or drug abuse or convicted more than once of reckless driving or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol?.
(c) used unlawful drugs in any form or abused or misused prescription drugs?

9. In the past 2 years,

(a) has the Proposed Insured been hospitalized by a physician or healthcare provider for any mental or nervous disorder?

10. In the past 12 months,

has the Proposed Insured consulted a physician for chronic cough, unexplained weight loss greater than 10 pounds, fatigue, or unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding?

These are the questions that need to be answered to isolate the most cost-effective life insurance with an A+-rated carrier.

Even if you answered “No” to any of these questions it does not mean you are declined. Every carrier has health impairment niches and this gives us an idea of where to bring you.

Process of Placing a Death Claim For Age 81

If you have a loved one who has a burial insurance policy at age 81 then you need to know a few things.

There are usually two things you need to know before filing a death claim if you are the beneficiary.

The first thing is, does your loved ones’ policy have a waiting period, and are they past it?

Second, are they past the two-year contestability? This means if your loved one passes within the first two years of activating the policy the insurance company can contest the policy.

Let me explain if death is due to natural causes or accidents then it will pay out. However, if due to an illness it better have been divulged on the application when applied.

The insurance company needs to know that the application was accurate with no misrepresentations. If there aren’t any, then the policy pays with no problem.

This is why it’s vital to answer ALL the questions on the application accurately and honestly. The bottom line, the insurance company will find out, trust me!

Death Claim and Death Certificate

There are two things needed when a loved one passes.

The original death certificate
Fully completed death claim form

These are very important in getting the death benefit paid fast and efficiently when your loved one ahs a burial insurance policy at age 81.

If your loved one is ill and is holding on for weeks then it would be smart to have that discussion with his/her doctor. This way you will have the death certificates fast.

When my mom passed away in 2016, I had the death certificate 5 hours after she passed. If you are prepared, then you will too.

Also, the beneficiaries will need to fill out the death claim form. Then these documents will be needed to be mailed to the carrier claim department for processing.

Once processed, the death benefit will be mailed to the beneficiary, In some cases, they will wire the funds if asked.

Final Thoughts

I hope this article broke down the most important part of the process, what you should avoid, in addition, to the best product for you at age 81.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out, at 888-531-7955. or just fill out and compare rates.