Lincoln Heritage Burial Insurance Review (2025)

Planning for end-of-life expenses is a crucial step in securing peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones. It’s a topic many prefer to avoid, yet addressing it proactively prevents future financial strain and emotional distress for your family during a difficult time. One name frequently encountered in this space is Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company, particularly their Funeral Advantage plan. But is it the right choice for covering your final expenses?

Understanding your options is key. As an independent insurance agency, Insurance By Heroes believes in empowering consumers with clear, unbiased information. Founded by a former first responder and military spouse, and staffed by professionals with similar backgrounds in public service, we understand the importance of trust, preparedness, and finding solutions that genuinely serve your needs. We work with dozens of top-rated insurance carriers, not just one, allowing us to shop the market and compare policies like Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage against numerous alternatives. Our goal is to help you find the coverage that truly fits your unique situation and budget.

This article provides an in-depth look at Lincoln Heritage burial insurance, updated for 2025. We’ll explore their Funeral Advantage plan, its features, potential costs, and how it compares in the broader market. Remember, while Lincoln Heritage is a significant player, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. The best policy for your neighbor might not be the best policy for you. That’s why comparing options through an independent agency like Insurance By Heroes is so vital.

What is Lincoln Heritage Burial Insurance?

Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company specializes in final expense insurance, often called burial insurance or funeral insurance. Let’s break down what this means:

• Final Expense Insurance Defined: This is typically a type of whole life insurance policy designed with smaller coverage amounts compared to traditional life insurance. The primary purpose is to cover end-of-life costs, such as funeral services, burial or cremation, caskets or urns, headstones, medical bills left behind, legal fees, or any other debts or expenses your family might face upon your passing.
• Whole Life Insurance Basics: As whole life insurance, these policies are designed to last for your entire life, as long as premiums are paid. They feature premiums that generally remain level (never increase), and the death benefit is guaranteed (never decreases). These policies also build cash value over time on a tax-deferred basis, which you might be able to borrow against in the future, though doing so will reduce the death benefit if not repaid.
• Lincoln Heritage’s Focus: Founded in 1963, Lincoln Heritage has carved out a niche as one of the largest providers of final expense insurance in the United States. Their primary product offering is the Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage plan.
• Target Audience: Final expense policies like those offered by Lincoln Heritage are typically marketed towards seniors or individuals between the ages of 50 and 85, though specific age availability can vary by state and product. The focus is often on those seeking peace of mind about covering funeral costs without burdening their families.

It’s important to understand that “burial insurance” is essentially a marketing term for a smaller whole life policy intended for these specific costs. The death benefit, however, is paid directly to your named beneficiary (or beneficiaries), who can then use the funds as they see fit. While the intention is usually to cover funeral expenses, the beneficiary is not legally obligated to use the money solely for that purpose unless specific arrangements, like an irrevocable funeral trust, are made separately – something distinct from buying the insurance policy itself.

Because Lincoln Heritage is just one company offering this type of coverage, comparing its features and costs against other carriers is crucial. At Insurance By Heroes, we regularly help clients evaluate policies from numerous insurers to ensure they understand the differences in pricing, underwriting, and policy benefits before making a decision.

Understanding the Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage Plan

The Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage plan is the company’s flagship product. It combines a final expense life insurance policy with a membership in the Funeral Consumer Guardian Society (FCGS). It’s critical to understand these two components separately:

1. The Final Expense Insurance Policy

This is the core of the plan – the actual insurance coverage. Here’s what it typically entails:

• Policy Type: Simplified issue whole life insurance. “Simplified issue” means there’s no medical exam required to apply. Instead, applicants answer a series of health questions on the application.
• Coverage Amounts: Generally range from $5,000 up to $35,000, although the maximum available coverage might depend on your age and state regulations. These amounts are designed to align with typical funeral and final expense costs.
• Underwriting & Approval: Based on your answers to the health questions, Lincoln Heritage determines eligibility and whether the policy will offer immediate full coverage or have a graded death benefit.
• Graded Death Benefit Potential: If an applicant has significant health issues, they might still qualify for coverage, but with a graded death benefit rider. This usually means that if death occurs due to natural causes (non-accidental) within the first two years of the policy, the beneficiaries receive a return of the premiums paid plus a small percentage (e.g., 10% interest), rather than the full face amount. After the two-year waiting period, the full death benefit becomes payable for any cause of death. Death due to accidents is typically covered for the full amount from day one. This structure allows those with health challenges to obtain coverage they might otherwise be denied.
• Beneficiary Payout: Upon the insured person’s death, the policy’s death benefit is paid tax-free to the named beneficiary. Lincoln Heritage often promotes quick claim processing, sometimes within 24 hours of claim approval, which can be very helpful for families needing immediate funds for funeral arrangements.

2. Funeral Consumer Guardian Society (FCGS) Membership

This is an additional service bundled with the insurance policy. It is *not* insurance itself but rather a support and planning resource. Key features include:

• Funeral Planning Assistance: Policyholders receive planning forms to document their final wishes (e.g., burial vs. cremation, service preferences).
• Family Support Services: Upon the policyholder’s death, the FCGS assists the surviving family members. They can help locate the planning documents, compare funeral home prices, and potentially negotiate costs on the family’s behalf. Their aim is to help families understand their options and avoid overspending during an emotional time.
• Advocacy Role: FCGS positions itself as an advocate for the family when dealing with funeral homes.

It’s vital to distinguish between these two parts. The insurance policy provides the money; the FCGS provides planning assistance and support. While the FCGS service can be valuable, the primary financial protection comes from the life insurance death benefit. When evaluating the Funeral Advantage plan, consider the value and cost of both components.

At Insurance By Heroes, we often find clients appreciate planning resources. However, our focus remains on ensuring the underlying insurance policy offers the best value. We compare Lincoln Heritage’s insurance offering – its premiums, coverage amounts, and underwriting standards – against policies from dozens of other carriers. Some carriers might offer lower premiums for the same coverage amount if you’re healthy, while others might have different approaches to underwriting specific health conditions. Having an independent perspective helps clarify these differences.

Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage: Features & Benefits Analysis

Let’s delve deeper into the specific features often highlighted by Lincoln Heritage and analyze them from a consumer perspective:

• Simplified Issue Underwriting:
  • Benefit: No medical exam is required, making the application process quicker and less intrusive. This is a significant advantage for individuals who dislike medical exams or need coverage quickly. It also provides an avenue for coverage for those with health conditions that might make fully underwritten policies difficult to obtain.
  • Consideration: Convenience comes at a potential cost. Because the insurer has less detailed health information, simplified issue policies often have higher premiums than fully underwritten policies (which require exams and medical records). If you are in good health, you might qualify for significantly lower rates with a different carrier that uses more thorough underwriting. Furthermore, the possibility of a graded death benefit for certain health conditions means the full payout isn’t guaranteed in the first two years for non-accidental death.
• Fast Claim Payout:
  • Benefit: Lincoln Heritage emphasizes its ability to pay approved claims quickly, often within 24 hours. This is a major selling point, as funeral homes typically require payment upfront. Quick access to funds can alleviate significant stress for grieving families.
  • Consideration: While fast payout is excellent, many reputable insurance companies have streamlined claims processes. The speed of payout should be weighed alongside the policy’s cost and suitability. Is the premium competitive for the promised speed?
• FCGS Membership:
  • Benefit: The planning tools and family support services offered by the Funeral Consumer Guardian Society can be genuinely helpful, especially for individuals who haven’t documented their wishes or whose families might feel overwhelmed by funeral arrangements and pricing. Potentially saving money through price comparison and negotiation is an attractive feature.
  • Consideration: The value of FCGS is subjective. Some families may already have plans in place or prefer to handle arrangements themselves. It’s also important to remember this is a bundled service; you are paying for it as part of the overall Funeral Advantage package. Evaluate if this service justifies any potential premium difference compared to a standalone final expense policy from another carrier that might cost less but lack this specific planning support. Many funeral planning resources are also available independently.
• Fixed Premiums and Coverage:
  • Benefit: As a whole life policy, the premiums are designed to never increase, and the death benefit amount is guaranteed never to decrease, regardless of changes in your age or health after the policy is issued. This provides predictability and security.
  • Consideration: This is standard for most whole life insurance policies, including final expense plans from other carriers. It’s a core feature of the product type, not unique to Lincoln Heritage, though certainly a crucial benefit.
• Cash Value Accumulation:
  • Benefit: Like other whole life policies, Lincoln Heritage policies build cash value over time on a tax-deferred basis. This accumulated value can potentially be borrowed against or surrendered (though surrendering terminates the coverage).
  • Consideration: Final expense policies typically have modest cash value growth, especially in the early years, due to their smaller face amounts and associated costs. The primary purpose is the death benefit, not cash accumulation for retirement or investment. Borrowing against the cash value reduces the death benefit if not repaid with interest.

When considering these features, always ask: How does this compare to what other top carriers offer? Insurance By Heroes was founded on the principle of service and informed choice, much like the public service backgrounds of our team. We believe in comparing apples to apples. A fast payout is good, but not if the premium is excessively high for your profile compared to another reputable carrier offering similar claim speeds. Simplified issue is convenient, but not if you could save significantly with a little more underwriting elsewhere. We help you navigate these trade-offs by presenting options from across the market.

Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage Rates and Costs

Determining the exact cost of a Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage plan requires obtaining a personalized quote, as rates depend on several factors:

• Age: The older you are when you apply, the higher the premium will be.
• Gender: Statistically, women live longer than men, so they often pay slightly lower premiums for the same coverage amount.
• Coverage Amount: The higher the death benefit you choose (e.g., $20,000 vs. $10,000), the higher the premium.
• Health Status: Your answers to the health questions on the simplified issue application are crucial. Certain conditions might lead to higher rates or trigger the graded death benefit rider.
• Tobacco Use: Smokers typically pay significantly higher premiums than non-smokers.
• State of Residence: Insurance rates and policy availability can vary by state due to differing regulations.

While we cannot provide specific Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage rates here, we can discuss general cost considerations:

• Simplified Issue Pricing: As mentioned earlier, simplified issue policies tend to be more expensive than fully underwritten policies because the insurer accepts more risk by not requiring a medical exam. If you are in relatively good health, you may find more affordable options with carriers that use more detailed underwriting.
• Graded Benefit Impact: If you qualify only for the graded benefit plan due to health issues, you are paying premiums for two years before the full death benefit is available for natural causes. This is a trade-off for obtaining coverage that might otherwise be unavailable.
• Bundled Service Cost: The premium includes the cost of both the insurance policy and the FCGS membership. You are paying for this bundled service, whether you anticipate using it heavily or not.

Why Comparison Shopping is Essential for Rates:

Because rates are so personalized and simplified issue often means higher base costs, getting quotes from multiple carriers is non-negotiable if you want to ensure you’re not overpaying. Lincoln Heritage might offer a competitive rate for someone with specific health conditions, but for a healthy individual, another carrier could potentially offer the same coverage for 20-40% less.

This is precisely the value Insurance By Heroes provides. As an independent agency, we aren’t limited to one company’s rates. We submit your information (confidentially and securely) to dozens of highly-rated insurance carriers simultaneously. We can quickly see how Lincoln Heritage’s potential offer stacks up against competitors based on *your* specific age, health profile, and desired coverage. Our commitment, stemming from our background in service fields where integrity is paramount, is to find you the most cost-effective solution that meets your needs, explaining the differences clearly so you can make an informed choice.

Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage Agents: The Captive Model

Understanding how Lincoln Heritage sells its policies is important. They primarily utilize a network of “captive” agents. Here’s what that means:

• Captive Agents Defined: A captive agent represents only one insurance company (in this case, Lincoln Heritage). They are trained extensively on that company’s products and are incentivized to sell those specific policies.
• Pros of Working with a Captive Agent: They usually have deep knowledge of the specific products they sell, including the nuances of the Funeral Advantage plan and FCGS benefits. They can often provide quick quotes and application processing for that single company.
• Cons of Working with a Captive Agent: The most significant drawback is the lack of comparison. A captive agent cannot offer you quotes or policies from any other insurance carrier. Their primary goal is to sell you the Lincoln Heritage product, regardless of whether a competitor might offer a better rate or a more suitable policy structure for your needs. They simply don’t have access to alternatives.

The Independent Agency Advantage: Insurance By Heroes

This is where Insurance By Heroes stands apart. We operate as an *independent* insurance agency. This means:

• We Work For You, Not the Insurance Company: Our loyalty is to our clients. We are not tied to Lincoln Heritage or any single carrier.
• Access to the Broader Market: We partner with dozens of the nation’s top-rated life insurance companies. This allows us to compare policies, features, underwriting guidelines, and rates from a wide range of providers.
• Unbiased Advice: Because we aren’t limited to one option, we can provide objective advice about which company and policy truly offer the best value for your specific circumstances. If Lincoln Heritage happens to be the best fit after comparing, we can facilitate that. But if another carrier offers superior pricing or terms, we’ll show you that too.
• Tailored Solutions: Our team, leveraging experience from service-oriented backgrounds like first response and military families, focuses on understanding your unique needs and budget. We then use our market access to tailor recommendations, ensuring you don’t overpay or get coverage that doesn’t align with your goals.

Working with a Lincoln Heritage agent means you’ll learn a lot about Funeral Advantage. Working with Insurance By Heroes means you’ll learn how Funeral Advantage compares to the best options available across the entire market, empowering you to make a truly informed decision.

Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage BBB and Reviews

When evaluating any insurance company, it’s wise to check third-party sources like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and online customer reviews. Here’s how to approach this for Lincoln Heritage:

• Check the BBB: Visit the Better Business Bureau website (bbb.org) and search for Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company. Look at their overall rating, accreditation status, complaint history, and how the company responds to complaints. Keep in mind that ratings can change, so check the current profile. BBB ratings reflect their opinion on how the business interacts with customers.
• Read Customer Reviews: Look for reviews on various platforms (Google, insurance review sites, etc.). Pay attention to recurring themes, both positive and negative.
  • Common Positives: Reviews often praise the speed of claim payments, the helpfulness of specific agents, and the peace of mind provided by having the coverage in place. Some may also mention satisfaction with the FCGS assistance.
  • Common Negatives: Some complaints revolve around the cost of the policies compared to other options, aggressive sales tactics experienced by some prospects, confusion regarding the graded death benefit period, or misunderstandings about the FCGS being a service rather than part of the cash payout.
• Context is Key: Remember that large companies will inevitably have both positive and negative reviews. Consider the volume and nature of complaints relative to the company’s size. Look for patterns rather than focusing solely on isolated experiences. Also, distinguish between reviews about the insurance product itself versus experiences with specific agents or sales processes.

How Insurance By Heroes Adds Value Beyond Reviews:

While reviews and BBB ratings offer valuable insights, they don’t replace personalized comparison and professional guidance. An experience described in a review might not reflect what you would encounter, especially concerning pricing and suitability based on your health.

Insurance By Heroes helps bridge this gap. Our approach, grounded in the integrity expected in public service, focuses on transparency. We don’t just present quotes; we explain the ‘why’ behind them. We discuss the reputations of the carriers we represent, including Lincoln Heritage, and help you understand how factors like financial strength ratings (e.g., from AM Best) and customer service records fit into the overall picture. We help you filter the noise and focus on what matters most: finding reliable, affordable coverage that aligns with your specific needs and preferences.

Is Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage Right for You?

After reviewing the features, costs, and sales model, the core question remains: Is the Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage plan the best choice for your final expense needs?

Here’s a summary to help you weigh the decision:

Potential Pros of Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage:

• Accessibility for Certain Health Conditions: The simplified issue underwriting and availability of graded benefit plans mean individuals with significant health issues, who might be declined elsewhere, can often still obtain coverage.
• Fast Claim Payouts: Their reputation for processing claims quickly is a significant benefit for families needing funds promptly for funeral arrangements.
• FCGS Planning Support: The bundled Funeral Consumer Guardian Society membership offers valuable planning tools and family assistance, potentially saving money and stress during funeral arrangements.
• Brand Recognition & Focus: As a leader specifically in the final expense market, they have deep experience in this niche.

Potential Cons of Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage:

• Potentially Higher Cost: Simplified issue policies often carry higher premiums compared to fully underwritten policies, especially for healthier individuals.
• Captive Agent Model: You won’t get comparisons with other carriers if you work directly with a Lincoln Heritage agent, potentially missing out on more affordable or suitable options.
• Graded Death Benefit: If you qualify for the graded plan, the full death benefit isn’t payable for natural causes during the first two years, only a return of premium plus interest.
• Bundled Service Cost: You pay for the FCGS membership as part of the premium, whether you place high value on it or not.

The Verdict Depends on Your Individual Circumstances:

Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage *can* be a suitable option, particularly for:

• Individuals with health conditions that make it difficult to qualify for other types of life insurance.
• Those who highly value the convenience of no medical exam and are willing to potentially pay more for it.
• People who strongly desire the specific funeral planning support offered by the FCGS.

However, it is often *not* the most cost-effective choice for:

• Healthy individuals who could likely qualify for lower rates with a fully underwritten or even another simplified issue policy from a different carrier.
• Budget-conscious consumers prioritizing the lowest premium for their desired coverage amount.
• Individuals who prefer to compare multiple options before making a decision.

The Insurance By Heroes Recommendation: Always Compare.

You simply cannot know if Lincoln Heritage is the best value for *you* without comparing it to other leading final expense insurance providers. As an independent agency founded by individuals who understand service and trust (former first responder, military spouse), Insurance By Heroes strongly advocates for comparison shopping. We provide the tools and expertise to easily compare Lincoln Heritage against dozens of other carriers, ensuring you see the full picture. We assess your health profile, budget, and needs, then present the most competitive options, explaining the pros and cons of each in plain language.

Alternatives to Lincoln Heritage Burial Insurance

While Lincoln Heritage focuses on final expense insurance, it’s helpful to understand the broader landscape of options that can potentially cover end-of-life costs:

• Other Final Expense Insurance Carriers: Numerous reputable insurance companies offer simplified issue or guaranteed issue final expense whole life policies. Companies like Mutual of Omaha, Aetna (CVS Health), Gerber Life, Foresters Financial, Prosperity Life Group, and many others compete in this space. Each has its own underwriting criteria, coverage amounts, riders, and pricing structures. Some may offer lower rates for healthy individuals, while others might be more lenient with specific health conditions than Lincoln Heritage.
• Traditional Whole Life Insurance: If you need a larger death benefit (e.g., over $50,000) and are in relatively good health, a traditional fully underwritten whole life policy might offer better long-term value and potentially lower cost per thousand dollars of coverage, though the application process is more involved.
• Term Life Insurance: If your primary need for coverage is temporary (e.g., until retirement or until debts are paid off) and you are younger and healthier, term life insurance offers the largest death benefit for the lowest initial premium. However, it only covers you for a specific term (e.g., 10, 20, 30 years) and typically does not build cash value. It might not be suitable for permanent final expense needs unless you plan to convert it or save separately.
• Guaranteed Universal Life (GUL): This can act like term insurance that lasts your whole life, offering a guaranteed death benefit at a lower cost than traditional whole life, but with minimal cash value growth. It can be an option for permanent coverage focused purely on the death benefit.
• Pre-Paid Funeral Plans: These involve paying a funeral home directly in advance for specific services and merchandise.
  • Pros: Locks in prices for selected items, details are planned in advance.
  • Cons: Funds may not be easily transferable if you move or change your mind, plans might not cover all costs (e.g., cash advance items like flowers or obituaries), less flexibility for beneficiaries compared to life insurance cash payout. Regulation varies by state.
• Savings/Investments: Relying solely on personal savings is an option, but requires discipline and ensures funds are readily accessible upon death without probate delays. Market fluctuations can also impact investment values.

Navigating the Alternatives with Insurance By Heroes:

The sheer number of alternatives can be overwhelming. Which path is best? This is where personalized advice becomes invaluable. Insurance By Heroes doesn’t just sell policies; we provide clarity. We help you understand these different options and determine which type of solution aligns best with your age, health, financial situation, and goals. If final expense insurance is the right fit, we then leverage our access to dozens of carriers – including comparing them to Lincoln Heritage – to find the specific policy that offers the optimal combination of coverage, cost, and reliability for you.

How Insurance By Heroes Helps You Choose

Choosing the right final expense insurance is a significant decision. Insurance By Heroes is uniquely positioned to help you navigate this process with confidence and clarity, drawing upon our foundation built on service and trust.

Here’s how our approach differs and why it benefits you:

• We Are Independent: Unlike captive agents selling only one company’s products (like Lincoln Heritage agents), we are an independent agency. Our loyalty is exclusively to you, our client. We have no quotas or incentives to push any specific carrier.
• Market Access = More Options: We have established relationships with dozens of the industry’s leading life insurance carriers, including those specializing in final expense insurance. This broad access allows us to comprehensively shop the market on your behalf.
• Rooted in Service: Founded by a former first responder and military spouse, and staffed by professionals with similar public service backgrounds, our agency culture prioritizes integrity, education, and client well-being over sales targets. We understand the importance of reliable protection for families.
• Personalized Needs Analysis: We start by understanding your specific situation – your health, budget, desired coverage amount, and any particular concerns you have about final expenses.
• Unbiased Comparison: We take your information and obtain quotes from multiple carriers, including comparing options like Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage against relevant competitors. We present these options clearly, highlighting the key differences in cost, coverage features, underwriting requirements, and potential waiting periods (like graded benefits).
• Expert Guidance: We explain the nuances of different policies – simplified issue vs. fully underwritten, graded benefits, riders, cash value potential – in easy-to-understand language. We answer your questions honestly and thoroughly.
• No Pressure, Just Support: Our goal is to empower you to make the best decision for your family. We provide the information and comparisons; you make the final choice without any high-pressure sales tactics.
• Streamlined Process: We handle the application process, making it as smooth and efficient as possible once you’ve selected the right policy.

Choosing Insurance By Heroes means you get a dedicated partner committed to finding the most suitable and affordable final expense solution available from across the market, not just from a single company’s menu.

Secure Your Peace of Mind Today

Planning for final expenses is an act of love and responsibility, ensuring your family isn’t burdened financially during a time of grief. While Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage is a well-known name in the burial insurance market, offering features like simplified underwriting and potential planning assistance through FCGS, it’s crucial to remember it’s just one option among many.

The cost and suitability of any final expense policy, including Lincoln Heritage, depend heavily on your individual health, age, and coverage needs. Simplified issue policies can be more expensive, and captive agents cannot show you how their product stacks up against competitors. Without comparison shopping, you might overpay or choose a policy that isn’t the best fit.

Don’t leave this important decision to chance or settle for the first quote you receive. Let Insurance By Heroes put your interests first. As an independent agency founded on principles of service and integrity by a former first responder and military spouse, we are committed to helping you find the right protection.

Ready to find the best final expense insurance for your unique situation? Take the first step towards securing peace of mind. Fill out our simple, secure quote form on this page right now. Our dedicated team will analyze your needs and shop the market for you, comparing dozens of top-rated carriers to find affordable, reliable coverage tailored specifically for you. Get your free, no-obligation quotes today and let Insurance By Heroes help you protect your loved ones.