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What Are Funeral Loans?

A funeral loan may be a good option if you need to cover funeral expenses.

Author
By Jessica Walrack

Written by

Jessica Walrack

Freelance writer, Credible

Jessica Walrack is an experienced freelance writer who has spent more than 11 years in personal finance, with expertise on loans, insurance, banking, mortgages, credit cards, budgeting, and taxes. Her work has been published by CNN, CBS MoneyWatch, U.S. News & World Report, and USA Today.

Edited by Jared Hughes

Written by

Jared Hughes

Writer, Fox Money

Jared Hughes has spent more than eight years covering personal finance, with bylines at the New York Post and NewsBreak.

Reviewed by Meredith Mangan

Written by

Meredith Mangan

Senior editor, Fox Money

Meredith Mangan is a senior editor at Fox Money and expert on personal loans.

Updated April 30, 2024

Editorial disclosure: Our goal is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we receive compensation from our partner lenders, whom we will always identify, all opinions are our own. Credible Operations, Inc. NMLS # 1681276, is referred to here as “Credible.”

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When a loved one passes away, it can be a shock in every way possible. Along with the grief and loss come a wide range of urgent end-of-life expenses. And, in some cases, there’s no money left behind to cover them. If you’re in charge of organizing the funeral, you could consider taking out a funeral loan to cover your expenses. This can give you some peace of mind while you mourn, and allow you to pay off the costs more comfortably over time.

How do funeral loans work?

A funeral loan typically refers to an unsecured personal loan that a borrower uses to cover a loved one’s funeral expenses. When you take one out, the lender provides you with a lump sum upfront that you can use pretty much however you’d like. You can use it for various funeral costs, along with any ancillary expenses you’re encountering.

After receiving the loan, you’ll need to repay it, plus interest, through monthly payments over a fixed term. Most lenders offer repayment terms from one to seven years.

Your interest rate will depend on factors like the amount you wish to borrow, your credit score, your credit history, and your income. Lenders generally prefer a FICO score of 670 or above, and typically offer loan amounts from $600 to $200,000.

Additionally, some lenders charge an origination fee equal to a percentage of the loan amount. It often gets deducted from your loan amount before the funds are sent to you.

Aside from the interest rate, it’s also important to look at the annual percentage rate (APR), which includes the interest rate and fees. Most lenders typically advertise the APR.

Common personal loan rates and terms

Personal loan features vary widely depending on the lender and what you can qualify for:

  • Loan amounts: $600 to $200,000
  • APRs: 5.20% to 35.99%
  • Origination fees: 0% to 12% of the loan amount
  • Repayment terms: 1 to 7 years

Compare funeral loan rates

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