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Funeral Costs & Arrangements
Start by looking up what funeral homes in your area actually charge, then choose what's right for you.
Look Up Real Local Prices
Click the button below to open Funeralocity. Search for your city, then use the service type dropdown on their results page to compare prices. Funeralocity shows four categories: Direct Cremation, Full Service Cremation, Affordable Burial, and Traditional Full Service Burial. Note the average or specific funeral home prices, then come back and enter them below.
— or use national average estimates —
If you skip the lookup, we'll use national averages from the NFDA. You can always update later.
⚰️
Traditional Full
Service Burial
Service Burial
~$9,500
🏛️
Full Service
Cremation
Cremation
~$5,200
🕊️
Direct
Cremation
Cremation
~$1,800
Traditional Service
Visitation, ceremony, procession
Graveside Service
Simple ceremony at burial site
Celebration of Life
Personal gathering, less formal
No Service
Private, no ceremony
Public Cemetery
Private Cemetery
Veterans Cemetery
Church Cemetery
Flat Marker
~$700
Upright Headstone
~$2,200
Monument
~$5,500
None Needed
$0
None
Nothing prepaid
Partial
Some costs covered
Fully Prepaid
Everything covered
Estimated cost for out-of-town family to travel for the service, plus meals and lodging.
2
Inflation & Life Expectancy
Funeral costs rise every year. How much will they cost when you actually need them?
Average is ~78 for men, ~83 for women
Annual Funeral Cost Inflation
4.0%
In 15 years at 4.0% inflation, today's costs could increase by 80%.
3
Income Your Family Would Lose
If you passed away, how much income would disappear? This includes earned income your dependents rely on and Social Security benefits a surviving spouse would lose.
No
Yes
Earned Income Replacement
If your dependents rely on your wages, salary, or self-employment income, enter that here. Do not include Social Security — that's handled separately below.
Wages, salary, or business income only — not Social Security
Until dependents are self-sufficient
Income Inflation Rate
3.0%
How fast the income need grows each year
Expected Investment Return
5.0%
What the lump sum earns — higher return means less coverage needed
Social Security Survivor Benefits
If you pass away, your eligible dependents (minor children, a surviving spouse caring for children under 16) may receive monthly survivor benefits from Social Security. This offsets part of the lost income — so we subtract it to avoid over-insuring.
Total monthly SS survivor benefits your dependents would receive. Children typically receive about 75% of your benefit amount.
Usually until youngest child turns 18 (or 19 if in high school)
Outstanding Debts
Debts you owe at death become claims against your estate. Even unsecured debts like credit cards can force the sale of property or reduce what your family inherits. Include everything your family would need to pay off to keep your assets intact.
Medical bills, home equity lines, student loans, tax liens, etc.
Social Security
No
Yes
When a spouse passes, your household's Social Security income often drops — the surviving spouse may keep only the larger benefit. Enter your current total and what would remain so we can calculate the gap. If neither spouse is currently receiving Social Security, enter $0 for both.
Combined SS benefits your household receives today — $0 if neither spouse is drawing yet
What your spouse would still receive, including any survivor benefits — $0 if not applicable
Years to Cover SS Gap
2
How many years of lost SS income should be covered? Most choose 1–2 years to give the surviving spouse time to adjust.
4
Existing Coverage & Assets
If you already have life insurance or savings, these can reduce what you need.
Existing Life Insurance
Offsets your permanent (funeral) coverage need. We use the death benefit — your family receives this when you pass.
Offsets income replacement, debts, and SS gap needs. Does not include employer group term — that coverage disappears if you become disabled or lose your job.
Savings & Investments
Full value — no tax on withdrawal
Capital Gains Tax Rate
15%
Income Tax Rate
25%
Tax Disclaimer: Tax-deferred accounts (401k, Traditional IRA) are reduced by the income tax rate because withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. Taxable brokerage accounts are reduced by the capital gains rate. Roth accounts are not reduced because qualified withdrawals are tax-free. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
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See Your Results
Enter your information to see your complete coverage recommendation, including your full protection number with Social Security gap analysis.
Get Your Personalized Report
We'll also send you a PDF summary you can review with your family.
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Your Coverage Recommendation
Based on your answers, here's what your family would need.
1
Today's Cost
If you needed coverage right now
$0
Funeral & arrangements$0
Family travel & support$0
Net coverage needed today$0
2
At Life Expectancy
Adjusted for 15 years of inflation
$0
Today's cost inflated$0
Inflation added+$0
Net coverage needed$0
RECOMMENDED
3
Full Family Protection
Inflation + income loss + debts
$0
Tier 2 total (inflation-adjusted)$0
Total recommended coverage$0