Whole life policies pay out a death benefit upon your death, and they build up some cash value inside the policy from which you may take am loan, if needed.
Whole life policies usually cost yup to 5-10 times more than term life insurance policies, which provide temporary coverage for up to 30 years and do not have cash value, only a death benefit if you pass away during the policy term.
Learn more about how whole life insurance policies work.