Does Pet Insurance Cover Cremation?

Key Takeaways

Pet insurance companies cover cremation through standard policies or optional add-ons, but only when pets pass from covered accidents or illnesses.

Companies like ASPCA, Liberty Mutual and Rainwalk include cremation coverage under their standard plans, while Embrace, Figo and Lemonade require you to purchase add-ons.

Consider cremation coverage if you want comprehensive end-of-life planning, need a financial safety net or prefer specific services within policy limits.

How Does Pet Insurance Work for Cremation?

Pet cremation is a memorial service that respectfully handles your pet's remains after they pass away, offered as private, communal or partitioned services. Fortunately, several pet insurance companies provide coverage for end-of-life care, including cremation, recognizing that these expenses are part of responsible pet ownership.

Pet insurance handles cremation coverage through the same reimbursement model as other benefits, meaning you'll cover the cremation costs initially, then submit receipts to your insurer for reimbursement based on your policy’s terms.

What Covers Cremation?

Pet insurance companies include cremation coverage in two ways: as part of their standard policies or through optional add-ons.

For standard plans, insurers typically cover cremation expenses if your pet passes away due to a covered accident or illness, not from excluded conditions or natural aging. Optional add-on coverage usually involves an additional monthly fee with specific coverage limits or restrictions.

Who Has Cremation Coverage?

The following pet insurance companies provide cremation coverage to help ease the financial burden during an already difficult time.


AKC	Offers an optional SupportPlus Coverage that reimburses cremation expenses for each pet, up to a maximum benefit of $300 subject to the annual limit amount.
ASPCA	Covers cremation expenses up to your annual limit under its Complete Coverage℠ policy.
Embrace	Provides cremation coverage up to $700 through its optional Wellness Rewards program.
Figo	Includes cremation coverage up to $250 in its optional Extra Care Pack Powerup.
Lemonade	Lemonade’s end-of-life and remembrance add-on includes cremation, with a $500 total limit.
Liberty Mutual	Covers cremation costs for injury-related death under all three of its pet insurance policies: Accident coverage, Accident and Illness coverage and Accident, Illness, and Wellness coverage.
MetLife	MetLife’s standard plans include cremation services and grief counseling resources for pet owners during the mourning process.
Nationwide	Pays cremation costs up to $1,000 for pets who passed due to injury or illness, provided the dog was under 8 years old and the cat was under 10.
Prudent Pet	Includes a mortality benefit of $250 for cremation and burial expenses under its Ultimate policy.
Rainwalk	Features end-of-life expenses benefit covering cremation expenses under its standard policies, as long as the pet passes due to a covered accident or illness.
Spot	Covers cremation expenses when caused by a covered condition.
Trupanion	Includes cremation coverage up to $100 through its Pet Owner Assistance Package endorsement.

*Note that pre-existing conditions, waiting periods and policy exclusions still apply to cremation coverage.

Do You Need Cremation Coverage?

Deciding whether you need cremation coverage depends on your financial situation and personal preferences for commemorating your pet's memory. Assess the factors below to determine if this particular end-of-life care makes sense for your family's needs.

1
You want comprehensive end-of-life planning
Some pet owners find peace of mind knowing all aspects of their pet's care are covered, from routine veterinary visits to final arrangements.
2
You want a financial safety net
Even though you'll need to pay cremation costs initially and wait for reimbursement, having coverage means you'll recover some of the expense based on your policy terms.
3
You want specific cremation services within your policy limits
If your preferred cremation option costs within your policy's maximum benefit, coverage can be worthwhile. For example, if you want an $800 private cremation and your policy covers up to $1,000, you'll only pay a small portion out-of-pocket.

Pet Insurance Cremation: Bottom Line

Pet insurance companies may cover cremation expenses when pets pass from covered accidents or illnesses. Companies like ASPCA, Liberty Mutual, and Rainwalk include cremation coverage in their standard plans, while Embrace, Figo, and Lemonade require separate add-on purchases. Consider this coverage if you want comprehensive end-of-life planning, a financial safety net or specific memorial services within your policy's limits.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Cremation Costs: FAQ

We’ve answered some frequently asked questions about whether pet insurance covers cremation below:

Does pet insurance cover cremation costs?

Pet insurance can cover cremation expenses, but only when pets pass from covered accidents or illnesses. Some insurers like ASPCA, Liberty Mutual and Rainwalk include cremation coverage in their standard plans, while others like Embrace, Figo and Lemonade cover cremation through optional add-ons.

What's the difference between private and communal cremation coverage?

Pet insurance covers both private and communal cremation services, though your policy limits apply regardless of cremation type. Private cremation means your pet is cremated alone and you receive only their ashes, while communal cremation processes multiple pets together with mixed remains. Some insurers also cover partitioned cremation, where pets are separated during the process.

Do I need cremation coverage if I have emergency savings?

If you have $1,000 to $2,000 in easily accessible savings, you might skip cremation coverage and self-insure instead. This approach gives you complete flexibility in choosing cremation services without policy restrictions and eliminates reimbursement waiting periods during grief.

Can I add cremation coverage to my existing pet insurance policy?

Adding cremation coverage depends on your current insurer and policy type. Companies like Embrace, Figo, Lemonade and Trupanion reimburse cremation costs through optional coverages that you can add during enrollment periods or policy renewal.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.

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