Funeral insurance options for everybody in the World

We get that it's not the cheeriest topic on the block, but covering the cost of your departure from the earth is worth some research.
Like the name suggests, funeral insurance is designed to cover the cost of your funeral. Sounds easy enough, but we found:

• you can end up paying more in premiums than the value of the funeral cover
• pre-paid funerals, funeral bonds and life insurance are better options.

According to actuaries Rice Warner, taking out funeral insurance at age 65 could mean your premiums almost add up to the costs of four funerals if you live until 91.

So what are all the options?

Funeral insurance

If you go down this route you'll usually make a regular contribution until age 90, after which time cover continues for free. The benefit amount is either fixed or increases over time, and you're usually only covered for accidental death for the first couple of years. An age limit of between 18 and 79 years normally applies – the older you are, the higher the premium.

Risky business

• Premiums can be fixed or increase each year, and can vary according to your gender and whether or not you smoke.
• If premiums are not fixed you often won't know how much they increase in subsequent years.
• If you stop paying your premium, you'll no longer be covered and in most cases won't receive a refund.
• Premiums can add up to more than four times the cost of a funeral.

Call for reforms to funeral insurance

In 2013, CHOICE joined 10 other consumer and pensioner advocacy groups, including the Consumer Action Law Centre (CALC), in calling for reforms to funeral insurance in Australia. 
In response to this, Hollard Insurance has released their "Guaranteed Funeral Insurance" product, which promises that:

• premiums will never increase
• premiums will actually reduce by five per cent after every continuous five years of the policy
• the total premiums paid will never be more than the benefit paid – that is, they will pay the higher of the benefit amount or the total premiums paid since product was taken out.

"It's positive that there's now a funeral insurance product with improved terms", says Matt Levey, CHOICE Director, Campaigns & Communications. "But our advice is still that consumers look at options that can be more affordable and can give them better value for their money such as life insurance, pre-paid funerals or simply using a separate savings account."

Pre-paid funerals

The pre-paid option's a better choice, and covers all or part of your funeral, usually at today's prices. The services you pay for are covered when you die, regardless of how much they cost at the time.
There are a few ways to fund pre-paid funerals.

• Small contributory funds: You make small, regular payments for part or all of a funeral service with a particular funeral director. Conditions vary between funds.
• Pre-purchased products: You pay for a cemetery plot, wall niche or place in a memorial garden, usually directly from the cemetery or crematorium.
• Pre-paid funeral plans: You choose the type of funeral you like and pay for it in full. Or make a deposit and pay installments over a fixed period. Few plans offer a refund if you cancel – check this before committing.

Funeral bonds

Funeral bonds are usually offered by friendly societies or life insurance companies, and require you to make a lump-sum payment or pay by installments. The money is invested and can only be used to cover your funeral. The funeral bond can be in your name or joint names. If you go for the latter, the benefit is normally paid on the death of the first joint owner.

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