Good day!
Here for the real scoop on the Funeral Advantage Program from Lincoln Heritage? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re just getting started or trying to compare plans, this article will give you the unfiltered truth about the Funeral Advantage for seniors—from someone who’s been in the field.
We’ll break down everything, including:
- Who Lincoln Heritage is
- How the Funeral Advantage insurance plan works
- What makes it different (or not) from competitors
- The pricing—and whether it’s truly affordable
- Why the Funeral Consumer Guardian Society (FCGS) isn’t what it seems
Let’s dive in.
Who Is Lincoln Heritage?
Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. They’re a niche life insurance provider specializing solely in final expense life insurance for seniors. Their flagship product? The Funeral Advantage Life Insurance Program.
They claim to pay more burial insurance claims than any other provider in the U.S., and they’re known for fast claims once all paperwork is submitted. But quantity doesn’t always equal quality—and it certainly doesn’t guarantee value.
What Is the Funeral Advantage Program?
The Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage is a whole life insurance plan designed to cover up to $20,000 in final expenses. The policy includes a membership to the Funeral Consumer Guardian Society (FCGS), which is heavily featured in their marketing.
But here’s the kicker—this isn’t a unique product. It’s a final expense whole life policy like many others on the market, just branded with a fancy name: Funeral Advantage.
Let’s be clear: Final expense insurance, burial insurance, funeral insurance—they all mean the same thing. The difference comes down to price, health qualifications, and service. And that’s where things get interesting.
Is Funeral Advantage Whole Life Insurance?
Yes. It’s 100% whole life insurance.
Your premiums stay level for life, and the policy won’t expire as long as you keep up payments. When you pass, your beneficiary files a claim with a death certificate and policy paperwork. Once verified, the death benefit is paid.
Sounds simple, right?
It is—until you get into the Modified Plan and see how quickly things can get expensive.
The Pricing Problem with Lincoln Heritage
Now let’s get real.
The Funeral Advantage insurance rates are often 2 to 3 times higher than comparable policies from well-known carriers like Mutual of Omaha or AIG.
Think I’m exaggerating? I’ve seen it in the field. I’ve worked with Lincoln Heritage as an agent. Their prices were so high, many clients had to reduce their desired coverage just to make the premiums fit their budget.
Example:
A 70-year-old non-smoker may pay $120+ per month for $10,000 in coverage with Lincoln Heritage, while the same coverage could cost under $60 with top-tier carriers we represent at Maple Valley Insurance Group.
Multiply that out over 10 or 20 years… you’re overpaying by thousands.
Funeral Advantage Insurance: The Modified Plan Trap
Here’s where the Funeral Advantage Program really shows its limitations.
If you have certain health conditions, Lincoln will place you into their Modified Whole Life plan. That means:
- A 2-year waiting period
- Much higher monthly premiums
This is a deal-breaker for many seniors.
Health Conditions That Trigger the Modified Plan:
- Stroke or mini-stroke (TIA)
- Heart attack, irregular heartbeat, stents, or bypass surgery
- Blood thinners
- COPD or chronic bronchitis
- Kidney disease
- Hepatitis, cirrhosis, or tuberculosis
- Diabetic complications like blindness
- Cystic fibrosis or pulmonary hypertension
And the list goes on…
Here’s the problem:
Most of these conditions are accepted by other carriers we work with, without a waiting period and without charging triple premiums.
| Company | Monthly Premium | Policy Type | Underwriting | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Heritage | $116.75 | Whole Life – Level or Modified | Yes – Captive Agent Only | 24 hrs after approval |
| Mutual of Omaha | $55.19 | Whole Life – Level | Yes – Health Questions | 1–3 Business Days |
| Aetna/CVS | $53.47 | Whole Life – Level | Yes – Health Questions | 2–4 Business Days |
| AIG (Guaranteed Issue) | $77.55 | Guaranteed Acceptance | No Health Questions | 5–7 Business Days |
| Foresters Financial | $54.86 | Whole Life – Level | Yes – Health Questions | 2–3 Business Days |
📌 Rates shown are sample quotes as of July 2025 for a 70-year-old female non-smoker seeking $10,000 in final expense coverage. Rates may vary by carrier, health, and state.
Is the “24-Hour Claims Payout” Real?
Lincoln Heritage advertises that claims are paid in “24 hours.”
But here’s the fine print:
Once the claim is “approved.”
That approval process involves:
- Receiving a certified death certificate and completed claim form
- Verifying cause of death
- Reviewing policy terms
This doesn’t happen overnight. In reality, all reputable life insurance companies process claims within a few days of receiving proper documentation.
The “24-hour” language is more about marketing than reality.
Let’s Talk About the FCGS – Is It Worth It?
Our Funeral Advantage review will also cover the FCGS and what it can provide for the family.
The Funeral Consumer Guardian Society (FCGS) is Lincoln’s has a free feature included with every Funeral Advantage policy. It’s pitched as a huge value—so let’s unpack what it amounts to.
1. Funeral Planning Assistance
They send you a packet of questions about your funeral wishes. You fill it out and send it back. That’s it.
Our Take: Just go to your local funeral home and preplan directly. It’s free, more official, and doesn’t require overpaying for life insurance.
2. Funeral Funding Contact
Your family can call FCGS, and they’ll call Lincoln on your behalf to process the claim.
Our Take: This doesn’t save time. Your loved ones can call Lincoln directly. No value here.
3. Plan Security Service
They scan your funeral documents into their system and give you a coded access card.
Our Take: Why not just keep your plans in a fire-safe or freezer bag at home? Your loved ones don’t need a password—they need your plan.
4. Funeral Plan Activation & “Negotiation”
They say they help families save money by negotiating funeral prices. They estimate $1,800 in savings for a burial and $600 for cremation. This may help with a lower cost for your funeral or creamtion and services.
Our Take: There’s no guarantee of savings. Nothing about this is in your policy contract. And you’re paying hundreds or thousands extra each year just for the possibility of saving $1,800 years down the road?
Pros and Cons of Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance
- ✅ Fast payout with Funeral Advantage Plan
- ✅ Includes membership to Funeral Consumer Guardian Society (FCGS)
- ❌ Higher premiums than many competitors
- ❌ Limited access — must buy from a Lincoln Heritage agent
Have questions about Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage or final expense insurance? We’re here to help! Don’t hesitate to give us a call and speak directly to an independent insurance agent who can guide you through your options and find the best coverage for your needs.
You Can Get More for Less—A Lot Less
At Maple Valley Insurance Group, we help seniors every day who are:
- Overpaying for policies like Lincoln Funeral Advantage
- Getting stuck in waiting periods they could have avoided
- Thinking the FCGS is a game-changer, when it’s just fluff
Other carriers offer:
- Full first-day coverage
- Policies up to $50,000 or more (Lincoln maxes out at $20,000)
- Added benefits like living will services, concierge funeral planning (like Everest or Sequoia), dental discounts, and more
And best of all? They cost far less.
The Truth From a Former Lincoln Heritage Agent
Here’s something you won’t find in most Funeral Advantage reviews:
I worked with Lincoln Heritage briefly around 1999 or 2000. I went into homes with their zone manager and watched seniors get priced out of the coverage they needed and desired.
Many would downsize from $10,000 to $5,000 in coverage because they couldn’t afford the premiums. Some couldn’t buy at all.
It frustrated me as I have been an independent agent/broker since 1999. The pricing made it very difficult for the client to afford what they needed/desired.
That’s when I knew I couldn’t represent this product anymore.
Final Thoughts: Is the Funeral Advantage Program Worth It?
Let’s call it like it is:
- Yes, Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage is a legit product from a reputable company. Thumbs up!
- But it is not competitively priced.
- The FCGS is a very debatable value-add.
- Lincoln Funeral Advantage plans have underwriting that is strict, pushing many into expensive modified policies with limited benefits.
What You Should Do Instead:
- Use our instant quote tool on this page to compare prices from 25+ top-rated companies. Funeral Advantage insurance is not in this tool but the competition is
- Work with an independent broker (like us) who isn’t tied to one carrier
- Choose a policy that gives you first-day full coverage and the right death benefit for your needs—at a price you can afford long-term
Review Conclusion: You Deserve Better Than the Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage Plans
Don’t settle for less coverage or inflated premiums.
Whether you need $10K or $50K in coverage, there are affordable Funeral Advantage alternatives that give you peace of mind without draining your wallet.
Have questions? Want real, unbiased advice?
Let’s make sure your family gets everything they need—without the marketing gimmicks.
Hi!! Just want to give a Huge Thank You to “Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company!!” Each time I called in with a question concerning the policy when my husband had passed away, each & every representative was very polite & kind. They all gave me their condolences before they began helping me with whatever question I had. Thank you so much for your services. I am a satisfied customer!!
Glad you had a good experience when your husband passed away. It is nice to talk to emphathetic people when we are grieving. Having a good claims experience following the death of a family member is always a positive for the family. I hear stories regularly from families who have been very thankful for the senior life insurance their loved ones purchased. It is one of the main reasons we do what we do here. Thanks for your commentary and be well.