
Why an In-House Crematory Matters for Families | Magnolia Cremations
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Time to read 10 min
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Time to read 10 min
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Most families don’t realize that many funeral homes outsource cremation to third-party facilities, often without telling them upfront. At Magnolia Cremations, we operate our own private, state-licensed crematory in Southern Indiana. This means your loved one never leaves our care, and you receive:
If you’re online searching for a local crematory, crematory near me, or affordable cremation services in Indiana or Kentucky, Magnolia is here to guide you with clarity, dignity, and care.
In this article, you’ll learn why it matters whether a funeral home owns its own crematory, how Magnolia Cremations ensures complete transparency and control, and what to look for when comparing cremation providers.
Peace of mind starts with knowing your loved one never leaves our care.
When navigating end-of-life decisions, families often don’t realize that many providers outsource cremation to a third-party crematorium. This means your loved one could be transported to an unfamiliar facility, often without your knowledge.
At Magnolia Cremations, we do things differently. We own and operate our own state-licensed crematory in Southern Indiana, meaning your loved one stays in our care, always.
Whether you’re looking for a local crematory, searching “crematory near me,” or comparing providers, here’s why so many families in Indiana and Kentucky choose Magnolia for direct cremation services they can trust.
Saying goodbye is hard enough. You shouldn’t have to worry about where your loved one is or who is handling them.
Unlike many providers who may transport your loved one offsite to a commercial crematorium, we operate a private, onsite Indiana crematory built specifically to serve our families with clarity and compassion.
That means:
Just compassionate, transparent care under one roof, from pickup to return.
📊 Did you know?
A national report from the NFDA in 2022 revealed that the majority of funeral homes in the U.S.—61%—do not own their own crematory.
That means most families are unknowingly subject to off-site transfers and third-party handling.
An in-house crematory is a facility located directly on the cremation provider’s property, operated by the same licensed team you trust with your arrangements.
Most funeral homes don’t have one. Instead, they:
At Magnolia, we believe trust should never be subcontracted.
Owning and operating a crematory takes more than space; it requires:
Many providers choose the easy route. We chose responsibility. Magnolia Cremations built a private cremation facility in Indiana to deliver the peace of mind families deserve.
From the moment we bring your loved one into our care, they remain with our team until their ashes are returned to you. You’ll never have to wonder where they are or who is handling them.
We are 100% in control of the process, so there’s no handoff, no confusion, and no risk of third-party errors.
Third-party crematories often service dozens of funeral homes, creating potential scheduling delays. Because Magnolia controls our own schedule, we can prioritize your family’s needs, not someone else’s queue.
Most cremations are completed in 4–7 days, and we keep you informed every step of the way.
We use a strict dual-tag identification system combined with barcode scanning to ensure:
We document every step and encourage families to ask questions. Transparency is part of our promise.
Cremation is an important responsibility, and we treat it as such. Every cremation at Magnolia is handled by:
Many providers advertise a low price, then add surprise crematory charges. Our direct cremation pricing is clear and upfront.
Unlike many providers, we don’t rent our facility to outside funeral homes. This allows us to:
We don’t believe you should ever have to question where your loved one is or who is handling them.
With Magnolia, you get:
Our crematory was built with one purpose: to care for families the right way and reduce stress.
Magnolia Cremations proudly serves families throughout Indiana and Kentucky, including Louisville, Jeffersonville, and surrounding communities.
Do most funeral homes have their own crematory?
No, most funeral homes do not have an on-site crematory.
While many funeral homes advertise cremation services, they often outsource the actual cremation to a third-party facility. This can lead to unexpected transfers, unclear timelines, added fees, and unanswered questions during an already emotional time.
🔍 According to the National Funeral Directors Association, only 39% of funeral homes in the U.S. currently operate their own crematory. That means 61% rely on outside facilities to perform cremations.
Why this matters:
Your loved one is transferred offsite
Often, without your knowledge, and without clear communication about where or when the cremation will take place.
The funeral home loses control of the process
Care is handed off to another company, which may not follow the same standards, procedures, or values.
There’s a higher risk for errors or delays
Multiple handoffs create room for miscommunication and logistical issues.
You may be kept in the dark
Some providers say they “offer cremation” but never clarify who actually performs it.
That’s why we always encourage families to ask:
“Do you own and operate your own crematory?”
How does Magnolia ensure my loved one is safely tracked?
At Magnolia Cremations, we understand that trust is everything. That’s why we’ve built our entire identification and tracking process around one core promise: your loved one is always treated with respect, dignity, and care, and never confused with anyone else.
From the moment your loved one enters our care, we implement multiple layers of verification to ensure their ashes are returned accurately and safely.
Here’s how we guarantee peace of mind at every step:
✅ Two-Tag Identification System
Every individual is assigned two permanent ID tags that remain with them throughout the entire cremation process:
A stainless steel tag issued by Magnolia Cremations
A rectangular brass tag issued at our crematory
Both tags stay with your loved one at all times, including inside the cremation chamber, and are returned with their ashes. These tags ensure zero risk of confusion or misidentification.
✅ Complete Chain of Custody Documentation
We maintain detailed, timestamped records that track every stage of care:
From transfer into our facility
To the cremation itself
To the secure return of your loved one's ashes
Every step is documented, reviewed, and verified. Nothing is left to chance.
✅ Cremation Performed In-House by Licensed Professionals
All cremations are performed at Falls City Crematory, our private, state-licensed cremation facility in Jeffersonville, Indiana. That means:
No outsourcing
No third-party handling
Full control by our compassionate, licensed staff
We know that receiving your loved one’s ashes is a moment filled with emotion and importance. That’s why our tracking process is designed to deliver not just accuracy, but comfort, confidence, and clarity.
How long does cremation take?
Cremation typically takes 5 to 10 business days, depending on state regulations, paperwork, and the provider’s setup.
At Magnolia Cremations, families in Kentucky usually receive ashes within 5–7 business days, while those in Indiana can expect a 7–10 business day timeframe. This includes the time needed to complete necessary authorizations, permits, and legal documentation.
Is cremation faster if the funeral home owns the crematory?
Yes, often significantly faster.
When the funeral home owns and operates its own crematory, like Magnolia Cremations does in Jeffersonville, Indiana, the entire process is handled in-house. That means:
✅ No third-party delays (no waiting on outside vendors)
✅ No extra transfers (your loved one remains in one location)
✅ Faster scheduling (cremation can begin as soon as paperwork is complete)
✅ Direct communication with the same team from start to finish
⚠️ Why does cremation sometimes take longer?
Several factors can extend the timeline:
State-required waiting periods or mandatory medical examiner approvals
Delays in obtaining death certificates or next-of-kin signatures
Funeral homes that outsource cremation, leading to scheduling gaps or transport time
Magnolia Cremations: Faster, Compassionate, In-House Care
Unlike many providers, we never outsource cremation. Our family-run crematory is located at:
What are the risks of using a provider that outsources cremation services?
When a cremation provider outsources services to a third-party crematory, it creates gaps in oversight, accountability, and transparency. Unfortunately, this is more common than many families realize, and it comes with real risks:
5 Risks of Outsourced Cremation:
Your Loved One Leaves the Provider’s Care
Once transferred, the original provider no longer oversees the process. This can lead to uncertainty about where your loved one is and who is handling their care.
Increased Risk of Errors or Mix-Ups
Without direct control, tracking errors can occur. Chain-of-custody mistakes may lead to delays or, in worst-case scenarios, misidentification.
Hidden Fees & Markups
Many funeral homes add third-party charges on top of their advertised prices. You may pay more than expected for transportation, cremation, or handling.
Delayed Timelines
You’re subject to the third party’s schedule, not the funeral home’s. This can delay cremation, paperwork processing, and the return of ashes, especially if they’re doing business with multiple funeral homes.
Limited Transparency
Some providers won’t disclose who actually performs the cremation, or where it takes place. That lack of clarity can be unsettling for families already grieving.
Magnolia’s Difference:
We never outsource. Every step, from pickup to cremation to return of ashes, is handled in-house by our licensed team at our privately owned crematory. That means:
✅ Greater peace of mind
✅ Full transparency
✅ Faster service and no middlemen
✅ Consistent, compassionate care
What are red flags when choosing a cremation provider?
Choosing a cremation provider is a deeply personal decision, and not all providers are created equal. Here are some common red flags to watch for:
🚩 Red Flags to Avoid:
They won’t tell you where the cremation takes place.
(Some providers outsource to third-party crematories without disclosing it.)
They avoid sharing pricing upfront.
(You have the legal right to a General Price List under the FTC Funeral Rule.)
They pressure you into upgrades or bundled packages.
(Grief is not a sales opportunity.)
They don’t have consistent online reviews or any physical location.
They can’t clearly explain how your loved one is tracked during cremation.
At Magnolia Cremations, we believe trust starts with transparency:
We own our crematory
We never outsource
And we treat every family like our own
Can I tour Magnolia Cremations’ facilities in person or virtually?
Yes, we encourage families to visit our facilities in person by appointment, and we're always happy to accommodate drop-ins when possible.
At Magnolia Cremations, we believe trust begins with transparency. That’s why we maintain an open-door policy at all of our locations. Whether you'd like to see our on-site crematory, meet our caring team, or better understand how we handle your loved one’s care, you’re always welcome.
Our crematory, Falls City Crematory, is a fully licensed and active facility performing multiple cremations daily. We’re proud to give families a clear look into our process and operations, not only to answer questions, but to build confidence in who we are and how we serve.
Office hours are Monday–Friday, 9AM–5PM, and we’re almost always on-site and available. While we recommend calling ahead, walk-ins are welcome and will always be treated with care and respect.
At this time, we do not offer a formal virtual tour. However, we’re happy to provide a personal video walkthrough or answer your questions over a phone or video call, just ask!