Final Expense & Burial Insurance in Illinois
The cost of a funeral in Illinois can range from $2,770 to $10,000 or more depending on the service you are provided. Your family may struggle trying to pay for your funeral if you pass away without savings or a life insurance policy.
Final Expense insurance, also known as burial insurance, can help with the financial burden your family may be left with when the time comes. These funds can also be used to pay off debt or medical expenses that your loved ones are left with.
Buying insurance in Illinois can be different compared to other states. This guide will help you through the process and show how Funeral Advantage can provide peace of mind for your loved ones.
The Funeral Rule
Federal law dictates basic laws surrounding burial services. Known as the Funeral Rule, these rules apply to every state and are enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Pricing – Funeral homes must quote prices for products and services over the phone if requested. In person, they must provide a general price list, a casket price list, and a burial container price list (when applicable).
- Contracts – An itemized statement of charges and estimates must be provided before a contract is signed.
- Pre-Need Funeral Plans – FTC laws do not apply to the language of pre-need contracts. They do not govern payment options, costs, modifications, transfers, cancellations, or administrative fees.
Funeral & Burial Expectations in Illinois
Each state has its own set of laws that determine what happens to a body after death. Laws surrounding embalming, burial and cremation requirements, and death certificates are all decided at the state level.
Death Certificates
In Illinois, death certificates are not public records and are only available to those who have a personal or property right interest with the decedent. If you are not a relative of the deceased person, a letter or document from the office or agency that needs the death certificate must accompany the request.
Embalming
Embalming is not required in Illinois and funeral homes should never tell you that it is. If a funeral will not be conducted immediately, embalming may be recommended, but will require permission before hand.
Burial Requirements
The services provided after a person passes is mostly decided via his or her planned directive, and in some cases the next of kin. In addition to federal laws surrounding pricing and contracts, there are some consumer protections laws in place to ensure fair treatment during this process. Illinois requires the following:
- Coroner Fees - Fees can vary by county and state law allows coroners to charge fees for certain services.
- Retail Casket Sellers - The laws that regulate the funeral industry do not apply to casket providers. However, in the state of Illinois, retail casket suppliers must provide a written price list of all burial options along with detail information concerning each casket.
- Container Requirements – Federal law requires funerals homes to accept caskets purchased from an outside source for the funeral.
Cremation Services
An authorized representative must sign a payment agreement and disclosure statement prior to cremation. The form must include the time, location, and manner of the service. There may be a fee to view the cremation process.
A casket is not required by state law, but you must store the cremated remains by:
- Placing them in a columbarium or mausoleum,
- Burying them in a cemetery plot,
- Storing them at a residence or place of worship,
- Scattering them on land or at sea (according to local laws and with the written permission of the property owner or government agency).
Average Funeral Costs in Illinois
Final expenses in Illinois average between $1,600 and $4,700, not including a casket, cemetery plot, or grave marker. Exact costs may be more or less depending on the products and services you choose.
See how much the average funeral costs nationally.
Service Costs by Type
| Service Type | Average Cost | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Cremation | $1,385 | $550 - $3,540 |
| Immediate Burial | $1,790 | $650 - $4,400 |
| Cremation Memorial | $3,295 | $1,775 - $5,820 |
| Full Service | $6,547 | $2,770 - $10,325 |
Funeral products can be purchased through online suppliers or local retailers. The funeral home you use may provide the option to rent a casket for the viewings and services. The costs below are from local funeral homes.
Funeral Product Costs
| Product | Average Cost | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Casket | $2,000 | $250 - $20,000 |
| Casket Rental | $1,075 | $950 - $1,175 |
| Alternative Containers | $170 | $100 - $500 |
| Urn | $140 | $25 - $3,000 |
| Cemetery Plot | $3,915 | $400 - $10,000 |
| Grave Marker | $1,500 | $350 - $20,000 |
Chicago
| Service Type | Average Cost | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Cremation | $2,250 | $620 - $3,880 |
| Immediate Burial | $2,995 | $890 - $5,100 |
| Cremation Memorial | $2,825 | $1,550 - $6,560 |
| Full Burial | $8,730 | $7,210 - $10,250 |
Aurora
| Service Type | Average Cost | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Cremation | $1,045 | $695 - $1,395 |
| Immediate Burial | $1,950 | $825 - $3,075 |
| Cremation Memorial | $3,236 | $1,630 - $4,842 |
| Full Burial | $6,720 | $4,330 - $9,110 |
Rockford
| Service Type | Average Cost | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Cremation | $1,573 | $690 - $2,456 |
| Immediate Burial | $1,575 | $955 - $2,195 |
| Cremation Memorial | $3,185 | $2,290 - $4,080 |
| Full Burial | $7,775 | $5,205 - $10,345 |
Help With Funeral Costs in Illinois
When a loved one passes away, it can be extremely stressful trying to plan and pay for their funeral services. With a trusted insurance agent and a little planning, you can ensure peace of mind for you family when it comes to paying for the service of your wishes.
Life Insurance
It is necessary to plan for your passing, even though it may seem morbid. You should prepare a written statement for you end-of-life wishes, your last will and testament, and the funds to help cover it through life insurance.
- Term Life Insurance – Term policies are only active for a specific time period. They may be more cost effective depending on your age, sex, and general health, but when that time period comes to an end you will need to requalify to remain covered. This can be difficult and more expensive as you get older and your health changes.
- Whole Life Insurance - Whole Life policies remain active for the entire life of the insured as long as premiums are paid. Premiums are usually more expensive for whole life, but your rate will never increase even if your age and health change.
- Final Expense Insurance – Residents of Illinois who are specifically concerned about paying for a funeral, should consider final expense insurance. These policies are issued to cover your final expenses once you pass. This includes funeral services, medical bills, debt, and any other bill your loved ones will be left with. Most people are eligible for this policy due to their being no medical exam to qualify. Applicants just have to answer a few health questions on the application.
Funeral Advantage™ is a final expense program offered by Lincoln Heritage that can be used anywhere in the United States. Funeral Advantage provides a cash payout for use at any facility for any style of service. As an added bonus, a burial insurance policy from Funeral Advantage includes a free membership to the Funeral Consumer Guardian Society®. The sole mission of this nonprofit, consumer advocate organization is to help its members save money. Every member’s family gets a dedicated representative who will help them price shop funeral homes in their area.
Government Funeral Assistance
A one-time $255 death benefit payable to the spouse or next of kin of the deceased person is offered by the federal government to eligible parties. Eligible veterans may receive up to $300 for burial service and $150 for cemetery costs. Contact your local VA office for more detailed information.
Average Overall Costs/Rates for Final Expense Insurance in Illinois
A person between the ages of 50 and 80 can expect to pay between $15 and $145 per month for $5,000 to $10,000 in benefits. Cost factors include age, sex, health status, and amount of coverage.
It’s no secret that the younger you are, the cheaper your premium will be. Due to no final expense insurance policies for seniors requiring an exam, policies with no health questions will typically cost more than those that verify health status. Obviously, the more coverage you get the more you’ll pay each month. Here are samples of what you can expect to pay in premiums.
Monthly Premium Rates for Men*
| $5,000 Death Benefit | ||
| Age | Determined 'In Good Health' by Insurer | No Health Questions Asked |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $16 | $20 |
| 55 | $19 | $24 |
| 60 | $23 | $29 |
| 65 | $29 | $35 |
| 70 | $38 | $44 |
| 75 | $51 | $63 |
| 80 | $65 | $82 |
* Estimated rates do not reflect the rates of any particular life insurance company.
| $10,000 Death Benefit | ||
| Age | Determined 'In Good Health' by Insurer | No Health Questions Asked |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $30 | $40 |
| 55 | $35 | $46 |
| 60 | $43 | $57 |
| 65 | $56 | $68 |
| 70 | $74 | $88 |
| 75 | $100 | $125 |
| 80 | $126 | $162 |
* Estimated rates do not reflect the rates of any particular life insurance company.
Monthly Premium Rates for Women*
| $5,000 Death Benefit | ||
| Age | Determined 'In Good Health' by Insurer | No Health Questions Asked |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $14 | $15 |
| 55 | $16 | $18 |
| 60 | $18 | $24 |
| 65 | $22 | $28 |
| 70 | $28 | $35 |
| 75 | $38 | $46 |
| 80 | $48 | $64 |
* Estimated rates do not reflect the rates of any particular life insurance company.
| $10,000 Death Benefit | ||
| Age | Determined 'In Good Health' by Insurer | No Health Questions Asked |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $25 | $28 |
| 55 | $28 | $36 |
| 60 | $33 | $45 |
| 65 | $41 | $55 |
| 70 | $53 | $69 |
| 75 | $72 | $90 |
| 80 | $93 | $126 |
* Estimated rates do not reflect the rates of any particular life insurance company.
Leading Causes of Death in Illinois
Illinois leading causes of death are very similar to the United States overall. The top 10 causes, via data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, are as follows:
- Heart Disease
- Cancer
- Stroke
- Chronic Lung Disease
- Accidents
- Diabetes
- Alzheimer’s
- Influenza
- Kidney Disease
- Blood Poisoning
No Exam in Illinois
Nearly anyone of any age can qualify for a final expense policy without a medical exam. The coverage is provided based on your answers to the health questions on an application.
Burial Insurance in Illinois for People with Medical Conditions
Final Expense insurance payouts are smaller than most policies, typically ranging between $5,000 and $20,000. Because of this, people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or long-term medical conditions can qualify for final expense coverage.
Free Look Period
In Illinois, your free look period lasts for 30 days and begins 10 days after you receive your policy. You may evaluate your insurance policy during this time to ensure you are satisfied. If you are not completely satisfied with your policy, you can cancel it and receive a full refund of any premiums paid. Insurance companies are not required to issue refunds after this free look period.
How to Get Burial Insurance in Illinois
Finding a provider you trust is the first step to getting burial insurance. It is beneficial to look for a company with experience in the industry.
It’s imperative to find a plan with affordable premiums but also enough coverage to cover your desired services. Some select providers even offer family support services for before and after the passing.
Contact Lincoln Heritage today for your free, no-obligation quote on burial insurance and see why people all over Illinois choose Funeral Advantage™.