Final Expense & Burial Insurance in Virginia
Burial insurance can lessen the chances of an emotional burden after you die because it provides cash when your family needs it most. This money is set aside to allow them to honor you in a dignified and respectful way while sharing the grieving process with friends and family. Burial insurance money can also help them pay down debt you might have left behind.
Buying final expense and burial insurance in Virginia makes sense when you realize how affordable this protection can be. Though the process is similar throughout the US, there are a few state-specific things to be aware of.
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 and Burial Expectations in Virginia
After death, the person’s next of kin is usually responsible for what happens next. This might include contacting the medical examiner’s office and making funeral arrangements. Most people are buried in a cemetery, but it is not uncommon to be cremated or buried at home. Here are a few things you should know about.
Death Certificates
When somebody dies, a death certificate has to be issued before they can be buried or cremated. This usually happens within 24 hours, but can take up to two days. The medical examiner will provide a death certificate, which will be forwarded to the funeral home or given directly to the family.
Embalming and Preservation
Embalming is not required in any state. A funeral home has the right to require embalming after 48 hours from the time of death if refrigeration is not available. You should know that the human body won’t last long without being preserved, and that embalming is a good choice if you have family that wishes to come from out of town but cannot get to the funeral location within a day or two.
Funeral Basics
Burial is the most common final arrangement after a funeral service, which usually also includes a viewing and memorial. However, your final wishes are just that — yours. You have the right to choose how your remains are handled after your death. If you have a specific casket picked out, for example, or wish to have more than one service, you can make these choices known before the time comes. Having final expense insurance in place can make it easier on your family to see to it that your life is celebrated in a way that follows your final wishes.
Cremation
If you choose cremation, your remains will be returned to your family in a container, usually an urn. You can ask that your ashes be scattered, and Virginia does not have laws that restrict where this can happen. Your loved ones will still need to contact the local authorities before holding an ash scattering ceremony on public land, and an approval form might be required.
Average Funeral Costs in Virginia
While costs for goods and services will vary based on your exact location, these figures reflect what you can generally expect to pay in the state of Virginia.
| Product | Average Cost | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic services | $1,998 | $1,000 - $2,995 |
| Embalming | $688 | $380 - $995 |
| Transportation of remains | $360 | $195 - $525 |
| Casket | $12,000 | $2,000 - $16,000 |
| Facility/staff use | $570 | $180 - $959 |
| Direct cremation | $2,713 | $1,200 - $4,225 |
| Direct burial | $2,955 | $1,500 - $2,955 |
Norfolk/Virginia Beach
| Product | Average Cost | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic services | $2,048 | $1,300 - $2,795 |
| Embalming | $688 | $380 - $995 |
| Transportation of remains | $423 | $350 - $495 |
| Casket | $10,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 |
| Facility/staff use | $423 | $350 - $495 |
| Direct cremation | $3,260 | $2,295 - $4,225 |
| Direct burial | $3,578 | $3,175 - $3,980 |
Richmond
| Product | Average Cost | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic services | $2,335 | $1,675 - $2,995 |
| Embalming | $695 | $550 - $840 |
| Transportation of remains | $413 | $300 - $525 |
| Casket | $12,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 |
| Facility/staff use | $443 | $360 - $525 |
| Direct cremation | $2,370 | $1,200 - $3,540 |
| Direct burial | $2,955 | $1,500 - $4,410 |
Roanoke
| Product | Average Cost | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic services | $1,548 | $1,000 - $2,095 |
| Embalming | $738 | $550 - $925 |
| Transportation of remains | $285 | $195 - $375 |
| Casket | $7,000 | $2,000 - $10,000 |
| Facility/staff use | $570 | $180 - $959 |
| Direct cremation | $1,825 | $1,340 - $1,825 |
| Direct burial | $1,928 | $1,620 - $2,235 |
Help with Funeral Costs in Virginia
There are many ways to help you and your family pay for funeral costs and final expenses. Life insurance is one of the most common ways people pay for their final arrangements. There is more than one type of life insurance plan, with the most common types being term life, whole life, and final expense insurance.
Term Life
Term life insurance can be thought of as temporary insurance. These policies are usually issued for a specific amount of time. Most often, term life is assigned in 10- to 30-year terms, and the insured pays for coverage every month. This kind of insurance has rates that are only guaranteed until the end of the term, and only if premiums have been paid on time. The cost of insurance goes up significantly at the end of the term, since the insured is older and more of a liability to insure.
Whole Life
Whole life is what most people think of when they think of insurance. It is a kind of policy that once purchased, stays with you until death, and the rate won’t change no matter how long you live. Like term life, it’s also much cheaper when it’s bought while you’re young. Compared to term life, whole life is expensive. However, it also builds cash value that you can borrow against later if you need money to pay for something before you die.
Pre-Need Insurance
Pre-need plans aren’t actual insurance, but it is important to know this type of product is available. A pre-need plan is best described as pre-paid funeral arrangements, and you buy it from a local funeral home. Most often, you will pay up front for whatever services you want; some plans let you pay in installments. When you die, your funeral expenses are covered up to the amount you paid unless your plan states that the funeral and related products are to be charged at current rates. In this case, your family still has to pay the remaining balance. Pre-need insurance plans most often do not transfer to another funeral home, which means that your plan doesn’t move with you if you move to another city or state.
Final Expense Insurance
If you do not need to replace income but are more concerned with paying for your funeral, final expense insurance is a good choice. Unlike a pre-need plan, final expense insurance (also called burial insurance) goes with you anywhere. It’s also highly affordable and the rates will always stay the same as long as the premiums are paid. Since the face value is usually less than $50,000, a medical exam isn’t usually necessary because coverage is issued based on answers to health questions.
Other Aid
In some cases, the government offers limited funeral assistance in the form of a lump-sum death benefit of $255. Veterans may also have benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Families of people who die in Virginia due to violent crime may also be eligible for financial assistance through the Virginia Victims Fund.
Average Final Expense Insurance Rates in Virginia
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 Virginia
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), these are the most common causes of death in Virginia:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Accidents
- Chronic lower respiratory diseases
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Flu/pneumonia
- Septicemia
No Exam in Virginia
Buying final expense and burial insurance in Virginia doesn’t mean you have to submit to a health exam. In fact, most people can buy insurance in just a few steps. Funeral Advantage™ asks a couple of basic questions regarding your health on a 1-page application. Your answers, age, and policy value determine what you pay.
Free Look Period
In Virginia, you have 10 days to look over your life insurance policy without any financial obligation. If you don’t want to keep it, you can cancel, and the premium will be refunded. This law protects you from being locked in to a policy you don’t want or can’t afford.
Free Quote in Virginia
Don’t let another day pass without knowing how affordable it can be to protect your loved ones. Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage quotes are free and come with no strings attached. Remember, most people qualify, and the financial protection you provide for your family today is something they’ll remember long after you’re gone. Get a free quote today to see why so many Virginia families choose Lincoln Heritage.