Generally, a policy has a primary beneficiary(ies) and a contingent beneficiary(ies). The money would go to the primary beneficiary(ies) in the event of the death of the insured. But, if the primary beneficiary(ies) had already died, the contingent beneficiary(ies) would receive the money.

Contingent beneficiaries become effective only when all primary beneficiaries have died prior to the your Death.