Planning Cremation Before a Loved One Passes: A Guide for Hospice & End-of-Life Care

You can arrange everything in advance, so when the time comes, all that is needed is to make one phone call.

Planning cremation before a loved one in hospice passes is a thoughtful, compassionate step that can ease emotional and logistical stress. Here’s how it works with Magnolia Cremations:

1. Start making arrangements anytime – Make arrangements online, by phone, or in-person at our Jeffersonville, IN, or Louisville, KY offices, whichever is the easiest and most convenient for you at this time.
   
   

2. Complete paperwork in advance – We guide you through every step, including vital authorization forms.
   
   

3. Rest easy knowing everything is in place – When the time comes, we’ll take care of bringing your loved one into our care, cremation at our family-owned crematory, and the safe return of their ashes to your family.

This is more common than you might think. Many families with loved ones in hospice choose to make arrangements early, and they’re often relieved they did.

We’re experienced in coordinating directly with hospice teams throughout Indiana and Kentucky. Just let us know your hospice provider, and we’ll take it from there when the time comes.

According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and Funeralocity, in 2025, the average cost of cremation in Indiana is around $2,295, but Magnolia Cremations offers the same service, or better, starting at just $895.

💡 That means Magnolia’s direct cremation is 60–70% more affordable, with no compromise in quality, care, or professionalism.

Why Is Cremation So Expensive Elsewhere?

Traditional funeral homes often outsource cremation, add facility overhead, and have high markups on merchandise, resulting in higher prices. Magnolia Cremations owns our crematory and handles everything in-house, so we keep pricing honest, simple, and dignified. 

In Kentucky, the average cost of a direct cremation is around $2,031, but Magnolia Cremations offers the same service, or better, starting at just $895. 

That’s up to 65% more affordable than traditional funeral homes, with no hidden fees, no third-party outsourcing, and no pressure to upgrade.

Why Cremation Costs More Elsewhere:

Most traditional funeral homes:

• Outsource cremation to external providers (resulting in additional fees)
  
  

• Charge for unused overhead, like staffing, facilities, or service space
  
  

• Advertise low base prices, but tack on fees for crematory services, required containers, and even urns.

• Use commission-based merchandise sales that benefit staff, not families

Distance doesn’t affect the care your loved one receives from Magnolia Cremations. We serve families throughout Indiana and Kentucky with the same compassion and dignity. 
 

Our crematory is located in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and while that may not be in your immediate hometown, here’s what you need to know:

What families are really asking:

They’re wondering, “Will my loved one be taken care of respectfully, even if it’s not right down the road?”

And the answer is: Absolutely. Here's how we ensure that:

✅ What You Can Expect with Magnolia Cremations:

• Licensed, In-House Care: Your loved one is always in our care. We own and operate our own crematory. Many traditional funeral homes do not, and often transport loved ones to third-party facilities without disclosing it to you.

• We Handle The Transportation: Our team professionally handles the logistics of bringing your loved one into our care. So, you don’t have to worry about transportation to our crematory.

• Transparent Service: We tell you exactly where your loved one is going, and where they will remain until they are back with you. No vague language or hidden handoffs.

• Still Lower Cost: Even with the small shipping fee (if applicable and selected by you), many families save hundreds to thousands compared to local funeral homes that typically outsource cremation anyway.

Real Talk: “Is closer always better?”

 
Not necessarily. Many “local” funeral homes don’t perform cremations on-site.
 
They often contract out the service, sometimes possibly counties away, without being upfront about it.

At Magnolia, you know:

• Exactly where your loved one is

• Exactly who is caring for them 

• Exactly what it will cost

Why Families Still Choose Us, Even From a Distance Away:

• They feel a connection to our compassionate approach

• They appreciate our honesty 
  
  

• They trust our track record of quality, even from afar 
  
  

How It Works If You’re Not Nearby:

1. We come to you: Our team picks up your loved one, no matter the distance.

2. You choose the return method: in-person pickup at our Jeffersonville, IN, or Louisville, KY office, or have the ashes overnighted to your home ($125 flat fee)

3. Still save: Most families spend far less than they would locally.

Bottom Line

 
If you’re choosing Magnolia because of our reputation, pricing, and compassionate care, know this:

You’re not sacrificing quality because of distance. 
 
You’re choosing transparency, trust, and dignity from a provider that’s been honored to serve families since the 1930s.

Yes, when your loved one passes, simply call us right away. We’ll take care of everything from that moment forward.

At Magnolia Cremations, we understand how overwhelming this moment can feel. That’s why our process is designed to be simple and supportive:

Here’s what happens:

1. Call us anytime, day or night. We’re available 24/7.

2. We coordinate with hospice, hospital, or care staff to arrange a timely, respectful transfer of your loved one into our care.

3. Our professional team arrives to bring your loved one into our care. This is always handled with dignity and compassion.

4. We complete the cremation process at our private, family-owned crematory, keeping you informed every step of the way.

5. Ashes are returned to you in a simple, secure container or an urn of your choice.

💡 Important to know:

• If your loved one is in hospice care, the hospice nurse usually notifies us directly once you’ve given permission.

• If they pass at home without hospice, you should call 911 first. Paramedics will provide the next steps, and then you call us.

You’re not alone in this.

Families often worry about “what to do in the moment.” Please know that once you make that first call, we handle everything else. You can focus on being with family and honoring your loved one.

Yes. Magnolia Cremations works with every hospice and hospital across Indiana and Kentucky.

We know families want to feel confident that their loved one will be cared for without delay or confusion. That’s why our team is set up to coordinate smoothly with:

• Hospice organizations (both large networks and smaller local providers)

• Hospitals and nursing facilities in every county across Indiana and Kentucky

• At-home hospice teams who provide end-of-life support in private residences

How it works:

1. When a passing occurs, hospice or hospital staff usually notify us directly (with your permission).

2. Our licensed professionals respond quickly to bring your loved one into our care.

3. We keep you updated and guide you through the cremation process with compassion.

You’re not alone.

This is one of the most common questions families ask, and the answer is simple: no matter where your loved one is in Indiana or Kentucky, we can help.