No one can read insurances’ minds. Somehow they think you’re such high risk that they won’t even offer expensive policies. Class 2 obesity and diabetes might do it, and an abscess won’t help.

Whole life’s value depends on the plan but when you really just want death benefit it’s a wasteful, expensive option. You might consider self-insuring: save what could go to premiums as inheritance for dependents. It takes time to amount to much and you have to assess your risk tolerance, but that’s self-whole-life.