Is insurance required on a house if homeowner dies?

There is no legal requirement in the U.S.A. for homeowners insurance.

If there is still a mortgage on the home though, insurance is almost certainly required by the mortgage contract, but this is a contractual obligation, not a legal requirement.

Failure to maintain a policy as required by the finance note can result in single interest coverage being placed by the lender and billed to the homeowner or possible foreclosure.