Final Expense Insurance in Pennsylvania:
Rates, Coverage & Best Plans for 2026

Why Pennsylvania is a unique final expense market

Pennsylvania is a state of dramatic contrasts for final expense planning. On one end, the Philadelphia metro — one of the largest in the Northeast — has funeral costs approaching those of New York City, with traditional burials running $9,000–$12,000 and a significant Catholic and African American senior population with strong burial traditions. On the other, central and rural Pennsylvania has some of the most affordable funeral costs in the region at $5,500–$7,500.

What makes Pennsylvania particularly distinctive is its coal mining and steel industry legacy. The anthracite coal regions — Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Allentown, and surrounding areas — and the western PA steel corridor around Pittsburgh have left generations of workers with above-average COPD and respiratory illness rates. This is the single most important underwriting factor for Pennsylvania seniors: knowing which carriers offer level benefit for COPD without a 2-year waiting period.

Pennsylvania funeral costs by region (2026)

Final expense insurance rates in Pennsylvania by age (2026)

Level benefit rates for $15,000 coverage, non-smoker, standard health. Full coverage from day one — no waiting period.

Best final expense carriers for Pennsylvania seniors

Your rights as a Pennsylvania insurance consumer

The 5 biggest mistakes Pennsylvania seniors make buying final expense insurance

• 1
  Coal and steel workers assuming COPD means only guaranteed issue This is the most common Pennsylvania-specific mistake. Former anthracite miners, coke plant workers, and steelworkers from the Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Pittsburgh areas frequently have COPD — and assume they’re stuck with a 2-year waiting period. Transamerica and Royal Neighbors both offer level benefit for COPD without oxygen use.
• 2
  Philadelphia seniors buying less coverage than they need Philadelphia-area funeral costs run $9,000–$12,000 for a traditional burial. A $10,000 policy bought based on a TV ad barely covers the funeral itself in Philly. $15,000–$20,000 is the realistic target for Philadelphia metro seniors.
• 3
  Responding to Lincoln Heritage or Colonial Penn TV ads These carriers advertise heavily in Pennsylvania markets. Their direct-to-consumer rates run 30–50% above what an independent broker can find. Lincoln Heritage’s Modified Plan puts many PA seniors with COPD or cardiac history on a 2-year waiting period when level benefit is available at Transamerica.
• 4
  Going to Mutual of Omaha with diabetes Mutual of Omaha grades all diabetics automatically — no exceptions. American Amicable offers level benefit for the same diabetic profiles at competitive rates with no waiting period. This matters across all of PA, where diabetes rates track close to the national average.
• 5
  Not knowing Transamerica is the only CHF option PA’s industrial cardiovascular legacy means CHF is relatively common. Every major carrier except Transamerica declines CHF for level benefit. Many Pennsylvania CHF patients are getting guaranteed issue when Transamerica level benefit is available to them.

Coverage for Pennsylvania seniors with health conditions

Frequently asked questions — Pennsylvania specific

Final expense rates in other states