When it comes to life planning, most of the world still assumes you’re legally married or part of a traditional nuclear family. But for millions of couples, that’s simply not the case. If you’re in a committed partnership but not married, the question becomes: What happens when one of you dies? Preneed insurance for unmarried couples may be the answer and perhaps more importantly: Have you done enough to protect them when you’re gone?
This is where preneed insurance steps in — a tool that not only funds final expenses, but helps unmarried couples bypass legal and financial headaches that can otherwise leave a partner unprotected. If you’re not legally next of kin, but emotionally bonded for life, this article is your wake-up call to start planning.
What is Preneed Insurance?
Preneeds are small life insurance policies or trusts that cover funeral costs in advance. Unlike traditional life insurance, which pays out for broad use, preneed policies are tied to specific funeral arrangements — often with a funeral home or provider.
They’re:
- Affordable (some start under $20/month)
- Not medically underwritten in most cases
- Designed to cover things like: casket, cremation, service, cemetery fees, and transportation
And crucially — they’re binding, meaning your wishes are legally protected.
It’s About Protecting Those We Love One Last Time
People often forget there are a plethora of reasons some couple don’t get married, but has nothing to do with how much we may love one another. Myself, I can sleep well at night knowing that even after I’m gone, I can provide some form of protection and relief, especially if the unforeseen ever occurs.
Why Unmarried Couples Are at Risk
When someone dies without a will, insurance, or preplanned funeral, the decision-making (aff) power often defaults to the next of kin:
- Spouse
- Adult children
- Parents
If you’re not legally married, your partner may have no say in what happens — and may not even be notified or allowed to access funds.
Real Talk: What Could Go Wrong? Is Preneed Insurance for Unmarried Couples Needed?
- Their family could take over arrangements
- You may not receive the ashes, personal belongings, or be allowed to attend the service
- If debts or medical bills are left behind, you might be unprepared to handle the aftermath
Preneeds are a powerful, binding tool that helps prevent all of this.
Why You Need to Buy Life Insurance Before Genetic Testing
This one’s personal for many — and it’s rarely talked about. If you’re considering genetic counseling or disease screening, you need to hear this:
Buy your life insurance first.
Why? Because once a positive result enters your medical record, you may be flagged as high-risk or uninsurable. In many cases, genetic predispositions (even without symptoms) can:
- Raise your premiums
- Disqualify you from private life insurance altogether
If the test comes back clean, you can cancel the policy or shop around. But if it comes back flagged — you’re covered. It’s one of the most crucial preemptive steps you can take.
This becomes especially important for those in nontraditional households, where financial protection often falls squarely on one person’s initiative.
Should I Buy Life Insurance Before Getting Genetic Testing Done?
The short answer is an solid yes! And This was the exact advice I received from an Oncologist I was receiving genetic counseling from. Nobody knows what you’ll find out when tested, so always best to protect yourself prior. Once results are returned they become no longer private to insurance companies and will likely reject you on any life insurance policy thereafter.
Another perk about some life insurance plans, is that they also act like a savings account and pay you back with interest should you cancel and increase in value over time… not a bad deal!
How to Set Up Preneed Insurance as an Unmarried Partner
- Start with a conversation: Talk about final wishes — burial or cremation? Service or no service? Who should oversee everything?
- Shop around for preneed options:
- Local funeral homes
- Trusted online platforms like Trust & Will
- Insurance providers who offer guaranteed-issue or no-exam policies
- Make your partner the primary contact and decision-maker where possible:
- Even if you can’t legally name them as next of kin, you can often assign them as the individual responsible for your service
- Keep a copy of the policy in multiple places: Digital + physical + with your partner
- Consider combining preneed with traditional life insurance for maximum protection
Want A Few Solid Life Insurance Companies To Start Shopping With?
Many of these Life Insurance Policies are extremely affordable, with no Doctor visits required and are able to cancel at any time. Be sure to check out our pick of some of the Best Life Insurance companies we recommend! Also, while you there you can find a variety of Will/Trust and other life planning options!
The Most Overlooked Details:
- State laws differ: Some states allow domestic partners to make decisions. Others do not.
- Medical power of attorney is a separate document that’s just as critical
- Wills, trusts, and beneficiary forms need to reflect your actual wishes — not just assumptions
Memorial Merits Recommendation:
If you’re unsure where to start, consider exploring guaranteed-issue life insurance plans through partners like:
- Gerber Life Insurance – Easy approval, no medical exam, and portable coverage
- Trust & Will – For securing wills, assigning legal authority, and simplifying your legacy
We also highly recommend reviewing our Casket and Urn Comparison Guide to understand how your final wishes may translate into costs or decisions that someone else may have to make.
Final Thoughts
Preneed insurance is peace of mind in a policy. It’s not just about money — it’s about making sure the person who knows you best is allowed to honor you properly.
If you’re part of an unmarried partnership, now is the time. And if you’re considering genetic testing, lock in your coverage first — you’ll never regret preparing early, but you may not get the chance to prepare late.
This topic hits close to home and even had a few close calls recently, which was a big wakeup call in my life and had the worst happen, I’d want no regrets and pass away knowing I did the best I could to take care of those I love. Take the step now. Your partner, your future, and your legacy deserve it.
