Final expense insurance rates depend on three things: your age, your gender, and the amount of coverage you buy. Health plays a role too, but for people in standard health, the age and gender tables below give you a realistic picture of what you will pay each month.

This guide shows typical 2026 monthly premiums for the four most common coverage amounts — $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, and $25,000 — across the full age range from 50 to 85. All numbers reflect whole life final expense policies with level premiums that never increase.

How Final Expense Premiums Are Priced

Final expense insurance is priced based on your expected life expectancy. The older you are when you apply, the higher the premium, because the insurance company has fewer years to collect payments before paying the death benefit. Women generally pay less than men at every age because women have longer average life expectancies.

Key pricing factors:

  • Age at application — your age when you sign up locks in the rate for life
  • Gender — women typically pay 15% to 25% less than men
  • Coverage amount — higher coverage means higher premiums, but the rate per thousand dollars usually drops at larger face amounts
  • Health classification — standard, preferred, graded, or guaranteed issue
  • Tobacco use — smokers pay about 30% to 50% more

The chart below assumes standard non-tobacco rates, which is where most healthy seniors fall.

Final Expense Rates by Age — $10,000 Coverage

A $10,000 policy is the most common coverage amount. It typically covers a standard funeral and burial, or a cremation plus some small final expenses.

| Age | Male Monthly Premium | Female Monthly Premium | | --- | --- | --- | | 50 | $30 – $38 | $23 – $30 | | 55 | $36 – $46 | $28 – $36 | | 60 | $45 – $58 | $34 – $44 | | 65 | $58 – $74 | $44 – $56 | | 70 | $76 – $98 | $58 – $74 | | 75 | $105 – $135 | $80 – $102 | | 80 | $145 – $185 | $110 – $145 | | 85 | $200 – $260 | $150 – $195 |

Final Expense Rates by Age — $5,000 Coverage

A $5,000 policy is often chosen by people on tight fixed incomes or those who already have some savings set aside.

| Age | Male Monthly Premium | Female Monthly Premium | | --- | --- | --- | | 50 | $18 – $23 | $14 – $18 | | 55 | $21 – $26 | $16 – $21 | | 60 | $25 – $32 | $19 – $25 | | 65 | $31 – $39 | $24 – $31 | | 70 | $40 – $52 | $31 – $40 | | 75 | $54 – $70 | $42 – $54 | | 80 | $75 – $96 | $58 – $75 | | 85 | $103 – $135 | $78 – $102 |

Final Expense Rates by Age — $15,000 Coverage

A $15,000 policy fits a traditional funeral with visitation and burial, plus some cushion for travel costs or small debts.

| Age | Male Monthly Premium | Female Monthly Premium | | --- | --- | --- | | 50 | $42 – $54 | $32 – $42 | | 55 | $51 – $65 | $39 – $51 | | 60 | $65 – $84 | $49 – $63 | | 65 | $84 – $108 | $64 – $82 | | 70 | $111 – $142 | $84 – $108 | | 75 | $153 – $197 | $116 – $149 | | 80 | $212 – $272 | $161 – $210 | | 85 | $295 – $380 | $220 – $285 |

Final Expense Rates by Age — $25,000 Coverage

A $25,000 policy is near the top of what most carriers will issue for final expense. It covers a premium funeral or gives the family a real cash cushion beyond the service itself.

| Age | Male Monthly Premium | Female Monthly Premium | | --- | --- | --- | | 50 | $68 – $88 | $52 – $68 | | 55 | $83 – $107 | $63 – $82 | | 60 | $106 – $137 | $80 – $103 | | 65 | $138 – $177 | $104 – $134 | | 70 | $182 – $234 | $138 – $177 | | 75 | $252 – $324 | $190 – $245 | | 80 | $349 – $448 | $264 – $342 | | 85 | $485 – $625 | $362 – $468 |

What These Numbers Actually Mean

A 65-year-old woman in standard health can typically secure $10,000 of final expense coverage for about $50 per month. That premium is locked in for life — it never goes up, and the coverage never goes down as long as she keeps paying.

The same woman at age 75 would pay closer to $90 per month for the same $10,000 policy. Every year you wait adds meaningful cost, which is why agents often recommend locking in a policy as early as you are ready.

Factors That Can Move Your Rate

The tables above assume standard non-tobacco rates and reasonable health. Your actual quote may land higher or lower depending on:

  • Tobacco use — adds roughly 30% to 50% to all rates above
  • Health conditions — well-controlled conditions like managed diabetes or high blood pressure often still qualify for standard rates, but recent heart attacks, active cancer, or oxygen use may push you to graded or guaranteed issue
  • State of residence — rates vary slightly by state
  • Carrier — individual companies vary by 10% to 20% for the same applicant

Graded and Guaranteed Issue Rates

If you cannot qualify for a standard "level benefit" policy because of health, you may still be eligible for a graded policy or a guaranteed issue policy. These cost more.

  • Graded premium policies typically run 20% to 40% higher than the tables above, and they pay a reduced benefit in the first two years.
  • Guaranteed issue policies have no health questions and typically run 40% to 60% higher, with a two-year waiting period before the full death benefit is payable. If you pass away from natural causes in the first two years, your beneficiary receives your premiums back plus interest rather than the full face amount.

How to Use These Numbers

Use the tables above as a realistic expectation, not a guarantee. When you request a quote from a licensed agent, they can pull actual rates from multiple carriers and show you the specific numbers based on your age, health, and state. That comparison is where you get the best price — a standalone quote from one company rarely gives you the lowest rate available.

A free quote from a licensed agent is the only way to know exactly what you will pay. The tables here are meant to help you know whether the quote you receive is reasonable or whether you should keep shopping.