Funeral Home Insurance Coverage [Explained]

Providing quality and affordable ​​funeral services to families after a loss requires an exceptionally high level of professionalism and sensitivity. Quite simply, this is a tough job that must be accomplished when customers are at their worst. Because this is a service like no other, insurance for funeral homes is distinct from that of other businesses. But tailored coverage will help safeguard the funeral home’s assets, employees, and families they serve.

What’s Unique About Funeral Home Insurance

While the purpose of all insurance policies is to protect a person’s or company’s financial health, funeral home insurance is specialized to account for the delicate nature of these services. This type of coverage will factor in:

• Emotional Sensitivity: Funeral homes deal with bereaved families, making the emotional stakes much higher. Even slight mishaps can cause severe emotional distress and potentially lead to litigation.
• Physical Risks: The handling and preparation of deceased bodies can pose health and safety risks to employees, necessitating specialized coverage and underwriting.
• Professional Liability: Because funeral homes deal with the recently deceased and grieving families, errors or negligence can seem particularly egregious and lead to serious reputational damage or legal consequences.

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Risks That Funeral Home Insurance Protects Against

There is a wide range of risks involved with running a funeral home, some of which are unique to the industry. The primary vulnerabilities that insurance for funeral homes seeks to cover include:

Mishandling or Misidentification

Funeral homes are entrusted with the dignified handling and preparation of deceased individuals. Any mishandling, misidentification, or failure to provide promised services can lead to severe emotional distress for the families involved and result in lawsuits.

Chemical and Biological Exposure

Employees may be exposed to health risks from chemicals used in embalming or potential infections. Additionally, the physical handling of bodies can pose ergonomic risks.

Accidents and Injuries

Like any other business, funeral homes face general liability risks such as slip and fall accidents, property damage, or other accidents that could occur on the premises.

Property Damage

Funeral homes have significant investments in property, including the building, funeral vehicles, and expensive equipment which could be damaged by fire, storms, vandalism, or other perils.

Reputational Damage

Due to the sensitive nature of the services provided, any negative incidents can severely impact the reputation of the funeral home, leading to a loss of business and community trust.

Regulatory Non-Compliance

Funeral homes are subject to various local, state, and federal regulations. Non-compliance with these regulations could result in fines, legal action, or the revocation of licenses.

Vehicle Accidents

Funeral homes often operate hearses and other vehicles which expose them to the risks on the road.

Cyber Threats

With the increasing reliance on digital systems for record-keeping and communications, funeral homes are also at risk from cyber threats such as data breaches or ransomware attacks.

Economic Downturns

Economic downturns or changes in market preferences (such as a shift toward different methods of handling deceased loved ones) can impact the financial stability of funeral homes.

Supply Chain Issues

Dependence on suppliers for crucial items, such as caskets or chemicals, can pose a risk if there are disruptions in the supply chain.

Understanding these vulnerabilities is the first step toward developing a robust risk management strategy and ensuring that your funeral home has the coverage it needs to protect its financial health.

Standard Funeral Home Insurance Policies

Every funeral home is different, but comprehensive coverage against risks that are common in the industry will typically include these policies:

• General Liability Insurance: Covers basic risks such as client property damage or bodily injury.
• Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance: Protects against errors, negligence, or failure to provide promised services.
• Commercial Property Insurance: Covers the physical assets of the funeral home against various perils.
• Commercial Automobile Insurance: Provides coverage for liabilities arising from accidents or roadway incidents involving business-owned vehicles.
• Workers Compensation Insurance: Covers employee injuries and related costs.
• Business Owners Insurance: A bundled policy that encompasses general liability and property insurance.

Key Considerations For Funeral Home Insurance

Before you purchase a policy, keep these things in mind:

• Unique Risks: The specialized nature of funeral home operations requires a specialized policy. Standard or templated business insurance won’t cut it to protect you against risk.
• Good Coverage Limits: Read the fine print and review your coverage limits to ensure your insurance strikes the balance of offering sufficient protection without being excessively costly.
• Reputable Insurance Provider: Choose an insurance provider with a good reputation and experience in the funeral home insurance industry. Make sure to check the AM Best rating, as well as ask your agent what they think.
• Tailored Policies: Look for policies that can be customized to meet the specific needs of your funeral home, ensuring there is comprehensive coverage.

Real-World Claims Scenarios

These examples of typical funeral home commercial claims help illustrate why comprehensive coverage is so important:

Professional Liability Claim

Scenario: A family sues the funeral home after a mix-up leads to the wrong body being cremated.

Outcome: Professional liability insurance covers the legal fees, settlement costs, and other related expenses, shielding the funeral home from a potentially crippling financial loss.

General Liability Claim

Scenario: During a funeral service, a guest trips over a loose carpet and suffers a broken hip, leading to a personal injury lawsuit against the funeral home.

Outcome: General liability insurance covers the medical expenses, legal fees, and any settlement or judgment costs, protecting the funeral home's finances.

Commercial Property Claim

Scenario: A severe storm causes extensive damage to the roof and interior of the funeral home.

Outcome: Commercial property insurance covers the repair and restoration costs of the building, ensuring that the funeral home can quickly recover and continue its operations.

Commercial Automobile Claim

Scenario: While transporting a body to a cemetery, the funeral home’s hearse is involved in an accident, causing damage to both the hearse and the other vehicle involved.

Outcome: Commercial automobile insurance covers the repair costs for the hearse, as well as the liabilities arising from the damage to the other vehicle and any medical expenses for injuries sustained.

Workers Compensation Claim

Scenario: An employee contracts a serious respiratory infection due to exposure to chemicals used in embalming.

Outcome: Workers compensation insurance covers the medical expenses and ongoing rehabilitation costs, as well as provides disability income to the employee during the recovery period.

Funeral Home Insurance FAQ

Q: Can funeral home business insurance be bundled?A: Yes, depending on your size and operations, we recommend purchasing a commercial package (CPP) or a business owner's policy (BOP) to bundle and lower the cost of your insurance program.

Q: How can funeral homes minimize insurance costs?A: Having appropriate deductibles, being with the right insurance company, having a quality loss history, and having above average safety and risk management procedures all play a role in lowering insurance costs.

Q: What is the process of claiming insurance for a funeral home?A: The process generally involves notifying your agent, providing necessary documentation of the incident, and cooperating with the insurer's investigation and claims adjustment process.

Q: Where can you get funeral home insurance?

A: Call us! We can help you get options from multiple providers and build a tailored policy that’s suited to your business.

Since 1922, LandesBlosch has helped businesses in a variety of industries find the right insurance coverage for their specific needs, at the lowest cost. We have experience working with funeral homes and can help you get the coverage you need. Contact us today for a free quote.