Who needs funeral insurance: When to consider cover

Thinking about funerals isn’t easy, let alone the costs involved with organising a final farewell. But being prepared and planning ahead can bring a sense of clarity, control and comfort to you and those you love.

If you’re worried about leaving a financial burden for your family when you pass away, then Real Funeral Insurance can help by giving your family a helping hand when it’s needed the most.

Funeral insurance is often considered by Australians later in life who want certainty around funeral expenses – especially when savings may be limited. Also, benefits from other cover, like life insurance, may already be allocated to help loved ones manage everyday living costs.

With Real Funeral Insurance, you can choose cover for just yourself, or include your partner, allowing you to plan in a way that reflects your personal circumstances.

You can apply for:

    • Single plan – cover for yourself only
    • Joint plan – cover for yourself and your spouse or partner

With a joint plan, you and your partner can choose to apply for individual benefit amounts.

If you’re an Australian resident aged 40 to 79 years, you will be guaranteed acceptance, making it a simple option to consider. While there’s no one-size fits-all answer to who needs funeral insurance, many people in this age group explore it as a practical way to help fund funeral and related costs without placing financial pressure on family. Whether it’s right for you depends on your financial position, existing cover, and how you want to plan ahead.

When funeral insurance may be worth considering

    • If you don’t have money set aside for funeral costs, funeral insurance may help you plan ahead and reduce financial stress for those closest to you.
    • It can be an option worth exploring if life insurance isn’t available to you.
    • Deciding whether funeral insurance is right for you often comes down to how you want to prepare, and what gives you the most peace of mind.

Working out whether funeral insurance is right for you involves weighing up your finances, family situation and personal preference around end-of-life planning. Seeking professional advice from a financial advisor could also support your decision.

It’s simple to apply with no medical or blood test

What is funeral insurance and how does it work? 

Funeral insurance is designed to help cover funeral and end‑of‑life expenses by paying a lump sum when you pass away. In most cases, you choose a benefit amount and pay regular premiums, with the payout going to your chosen beneficiaries or estate to help manage final costs.

It’s often considered by people who want a simple way to plan for funeral expenses without locking in services upfront or relying on personal savings alone.

Do I need funeral insurance? 

Deciding whether funeral insurance is right for you isn’t just about money – it’s about how you want to prepare and the peace of mind you’d like to have in place. You may want to consider funeral insurance based on your stage of life and financial needs.

  • If your savings are meant to cover unexpected expenses or secure your kids future, funeral insurance can help cover final costs. By paying premiums over time, you may be able to plan ahead without needing to set aside a lump sum specifically for funeral expenses.

  • Taking out life insurance later in life may prove expensive for some people or not even be unavailable to others. Funeral insurance may be worth considering if you don’t have life cover and want a dedicated way to help fund funeral costs. 

  • Funeral costs can add pressure during an already emotional time. Funeral insurance is often chosen by people who want to ease that burden and give loved ones financial support – helping them focus on saying goodbye instead of worrying about expenses.

  • Prepaid funeral plans can offer certainty, but they also require committing to specific services and providers in advance. Funeral insurance can offer more flexibility, allowing your family to decide how the payout is used and make arrangements that suit their needs at the time.

  • Even without dependants, funeral insurance may still be worth considering if you want to ensure your final expenses are taken care of. It can help cover costs without relying on extended family or your estate to fund funeral arrangements.

  • For retirees or seniors living on a fixed income, budgeting for a large one‑off expense can be challenging. Funeral insurance may provide a manageable way to plan ahead, with regular premiums going towards your cover.

Some things you should know

    • Cover is only for accidental death and accidental serious injury in the first 12 months. 
    • Accidental serious injury and optional Accidental Death Insurance expire on the policy anniversary following your 75th birthday.
    • Terminal illness diagnosis with 12 months or less to live.
    • There’s no refund of premiums after the cooling off period. The total amount of premiums payable over the life of the policy has the potential to exceed the cover amount.
    • If you choose the early cash out option, you will no longer be eligible to claim as this option will cancel your policy and you may receive less than you’ve paid in premiums to date. 
    • This is a summary of the Real Funeral Insurance policy. For full details, download our Product Disclosure Statement.

Ready to get covered?

Call us 1300 665 287
Request a Quick Quote