Irrevocable Funeral Trust

Funeral trusts are a type of irrevocable trust created expressly for the purpose of paying your final expenses. The trust contains, as its asset, a single premium life insurance policy. (These policies are only offered by a select group of insurance companies.) The policy is placed into your funeral trust, where it remains until you pass away. Because an irrevocable funeral trust "owns" the life insurance policy, funeral trusts offer numerous benefits including tax savings, protection from inflation and favorable treatment by Medicaid* eligibility rules.

If you think that you're too old to qualify for a funeral trust, you're almost certainly mistaken. Anyone age 99 or younger is guaranteed to qualify for these products ... and that's with no underwriting (in other words, no medical questions or exams).

Funds and sometimes even life insurance death benefits intended to pay funeral expenses can be lost to pay medical care costs or have to be "spent down" to qualify for Medicaid**. This is because both cash and other investments, including life insurance cash values, often have to be liquidated in order for a person to qualify for Medicaid. Obviously, this can create a financial burden on the surviving family or loved ones. A funeral trust, however, has the ability to protect your family from that burden and guarantee that the funds necessary to cover your final expenses will be available when needed, regardless of your financial situation.

** Some states may vary on Medicaid rules, and eligibility is not guaranteed. Please consult an elder law attorney in your state for assistance. Products and trust limits may vary by state. Not available in all states. Medicaid limit for an irrevocable funeral trust is $12,500 in most states. Insurance coverage provided by companies rated at least A- by A.M. Best.

Things Your Funeral Trust Can Pay For:

Funeral director’s services
Memorial service
Graveside service
Clergy honorarium

Death certificates
Musicians
Temporary marker
Stationery package

Obituary notices
Flowers
Cemetery / burial plot
Airline travel

* Some states may vary on Medicaid rules, and eligibility is not guaranteed. Please consult an elder law attorney in your state for assistance. Products and trust limits may vary by state. Not available in all states. Medicaid limit for an irrevocable funeral trust is $12,500 in most states. Insurance coverage provided by companies rated at least A- by A.M. Best.