Final Expense & Burial Insurance in Tennessee

Death is a sure condition for all of us. Though it’s not fun to consider, there will come a time when you are no longer here to enjoy life with your loved ones. Sadly, it’s the people you leave behind that suffer. One way to ensure they are not loaded with financial worries after your death is to invest in burial insurance now.

Burial insurance (also called final expense insurance) is not a guarantee that your family won’t feel the effects of your passing, but it is a way to support them financially as they face paying for funeral expenses and even settling your final debts. Burial insurance in Tennessee is one way to show you care, and it will allow your family to memorialize your life in a way that helps them toward healing.

When you buy burial insurance in Tennessee, you may be surprised to find that it’s an easy process, but there are a few things you should know before you make a decision on the insurance product that’s right for you. You can find much of this here, including information on Funeral Advantage offered by Lincoln Heritage, and how a short application can help your final farewells be less of a financial burden.

Funeral & Burial Expectations in Tennessee

How your final remains are handled is largely a matter of personal choice. However, Tennessee does have laws your loved ones have to follow when you die. If you are not buried on private property, there might also be other rules they have to follow. These are set by the cemetery or funeral home.

Death Certificates

In Tennessee, death certificates are issued by the Vital Records Division of the Health Department in the county where the death occurred. The family or funeral director will be responsible for getting this important piece of paper, which is required before burial or cremation can take place. Death certificate applications have to be completed within five days after a person dies.

Embalming and Preservation

Embalming is not something that a funeral home can do without your permission, and it is not required by Tennessee law. A funeral home will give you options, whether it’s direct burial or refrigeration. Keep in mind, however, that most funeral homes don’t have cold storage, and without some form of preservation, the body of the deceased person can decompose rapidly. For this reason, your funeral director may require embalming if the funeral or cremation won’t happen quickly. If the body will be moved out of state, embalming is required.

Funeral Basics

In Tennessee, bodies can be buried on private land or in a cemetery. Many churches also have cemeteries available to members. A typical funeral involves a memorial service, a public viewing, and a public or private burial. If a home burial is planned, you will need to talk to your local zoning commission to make sure there aren’t any specific restrictions in that area.

 

Cremation

Cremation is an alternative to burial. During the process, the body is heated to approximately 1,400°F and is reduced to ash, which is returned to the family in an urn or other container. Only a licensed crematory can perform this service, and they are required to contact the county medical examiner’s office before the cremation takes place. Ashes can be buried on private property, in an established cemetery, or scattered in some public areas (with permission), such as the Smoky Mountains National Park.

Average Funeral Costs in Tennessee

In general, you can expect to pay the following prices for these products and services in Tennessee. Of course, your costs will vary based on which city you live in.

Product	Average Cost	Price Range
Basic services	$3,083	$1,170 - $4,995
Embalming	$748	$400 - $1,095
Transportation of remains	$343	$150 - $535
Casket	$7,000	$2,000 - $12,400
Facility/staff use	$423	$250 - $595
Direct cremation	$2,743	$995 - $4,490
Direct burial	$1,803	$750 - $2,855

Knoxville

Product	Average Cost	Price Range
Basic services	$1,810	$1,745 - $1,875
Embalming	$710	$695 - $725
Transportation of remains	$290	$250 - $330
Casket	$4,219	$968 - $7,470
Facility/staff use	$493	$390 - $595
Direct cremation	$1,458	$995 - $1,920
Direct burial	$2,563	$2,270 - $2,855

Memphis

Product	Average Cost	Price Range
Basic services	$3,345	$1,695 - $4,995
Embalming	$748	$400 - $1,095
Transportation of remains	$343	$150 - $535
Casket	$8,000	$2,000 - $13,000
Facility/staff use	$373	$250 - $495
Direct cremation	$1,748	$995 - $1,748
Direct burial	$1,698	$750 - $2,645

Nashville

Product	Average Cost	Price Range
Basic services	$2,033	$1,170 - $2,895
Embalming	$735	$595 - $875
Transportation of remains	$275	$150 - $400
Casket	$5,003	$1,000 - $9,250
Facility/staff use	$425	$400 - $450
Direct cremation	$2,743	$995 - $2,743
Direct burial	$2,145	$1,995 - $2,145

Help With Funeral Costs

Your family’s ability to pay for your funeral is based on many factors. One of these is the cost of your funeral. The most important, however, is whether or not you have life insurance.

Life Insurance

Whole life insurance and term life insurance are the most common types of coverage. Whole life insurance is usually bought at an early age when it is considerably less expensive. Something you should know about whole life insurance is that the rates do not change once you sign up for the policy. If you buy whole life insurance in your 20s or 30s, you will continue to pay the same rate until you pass. The only way this changes is if you do not pay your premiums every month and have to re-apply for insurance.

Term life can be purchased at any time, but can be more expensive than whole life if you wait until your 50s or beyond. The main difference in term life and whole life insurance is that term life rates are only guaranteed for a specific time frame. After that, you have to re-qualify based on your current age and health status. This can be difficult especially if your health has changed or you’ve started taking medications.

Pre-Need Insurance

Many funeral homes offer the option of purchasing what is called a pre-need plan. This isn’t life insurance, but it does guarantee that the money you pay to that funeral home will be available to pay for your expenses when you die. A guaranteed pre-need plan means that your loved ones will not have to pay any extra for the services you’ve already paid for. A non-guaranteed plan can come with additional costs if the rates for the service or products you originally chose increase before you die.

A pre-need plan is not always a cost-effective option, and may not be transferable to another funeral home if you move. If you decide to buy this type of insurance, make sure to ask the funeral home what happens to your money if they are not in business when the time comes that you need them.

Final Expense Insurance

Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage is a final expense insurance program designed to help families lessen the impact of high funeral costs. Funeral Advantage is a whole life insurance policy that your loved ones can use to help pay for your funeral, but it can also help settle any debt you leave behind such as unpaid medical bills.

Funeral Advantage™ comes with a free membership in the Funeral Consumer Guardian Society®. At no cost to your family, this not-for-profit will help them find the best price for a funeral in your area. Many people are unaware that funeral homes charge different amounts for their services – there is no standard price list. Having a dedicated representative price-shop these costs means your loved ones won’t have to worry about comparing multiple funeral homes.

Aid from the State of Tennessee

Tennessee offers a maximum payout of $6,000 to help with funeral expenses for people who die as a direct result of a crime.

Average Final Expense Insurance Rates in Tennessee

Final expense insurance in Tennessee is more affordable than you might think. With rates starting as low as $14 per month, it’s a small price to pay to ensure your loved ones are protected when the time comes to make your final arrangements.

 

Monthly Premium Rates for Men*

 

Monthly Premium Rates for Women*

 

Leading Causes of Death in Tennessee

Heart disease and cancer are the two most prominent causes of death in Tennessee, and that is on par with the rest of the country. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) lists the top 10 causes of death in the state as:

1. Heart disease
2. Cancer
3. Chronic lower respiratory diseases
4. Accidents
5. Stroke
6. Alzheimer’s disease
7. Diabetes
8. Flu/pneumonia
9. Kidney disease
10. Suicide

 

No Exam in Tennessee

Many insurers don’t ask for a medical exam, but answering a few general health questions can save you money when compared to a guaranteed issue policy. You might be asked about your smoking habits and medication history, for example. Approval is usually a pretty fast process, and your agent can answer any questions you have before, during, or after the application process.

Free Look Period

While Lincoln Heritage takes extra care to make sure you understand your options and are comfortable with your purchase, you should know that you can cancel within 10 days for a full refund. During this Free Look period, Tennessee residents are encouraged to read their plan in full.

How to Get Burial Insurance in Tennessee

Getting final expense insurance is easier than ever, and getting a quote won’t cost you a dime. Lincoln Heritage proudly offers no-hassle quotes to help you best plan how you’ll protect your family. Once approved, you’ll also have exclusive access to the Funeral Consumer Guardian Society, a resource available only to Funeral Advantage customers, which can save your family money on your final expenses at a time when every bit counts. Get a free quote today and learn why so many Tennessee families trust Funeral Advantage.