Why a Private Crematory Matters for Families | Magnolia Cremations

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?”

A private crematory is a cremation facility owned and operated by the cremation provider you're working with, located on their property and serving only their families.

Most funeral homes don't have their own private crematory. Instead, they contract with commercial crematories that serve multiple funeral homes across a region. Your loved one gets transported to an off-site facility, placed in a queue with other families, and handled by staff who have no connection to your arrangements. With a private crematory like Magnolia's, your loved one stays with the same licensed team from start to finish. There are no third-party transfers, no commercial facility handoffs, and no wondering where your loved one is during the process. You work with one provider who handles everything under one roof.

A private crematory serves only the families of the funeral home that owns it, while public (commercial) crematories serve dozens of funeral homes and operate on shared schedules.

Public crematories are high-volume facilities that contract with multiple funeral homes across a region. Your loved one gets transported there, joins a queue with other families, and is cremated by staff who have no relationship with your funeral home. This can create possible delays, increase the risk of errors through multiple handoffs, and means you have no direct connection to the facility actually performing the cremation. Private crematories like Magnolia's work differently. We serve only our own families, control our own schedule, and complete most cremations within 7-10 days. Your loved one never leaves our care or our facility.

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.

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:

📍  2517 Veterans Parkway, Jeffersonville, IN 47130

Magnolia uses a strict dual-tag identification system with barcode scanning to track your loved one from pickup through cremation to final return of ashes.

When we bring your loved one into our care, we immediately assign a unique identification number that stays with them throughout the entire process. We use two physical identification tags plus barcode scanning at every step: when they enter our Jeffersonville facility, when they're placed in refrigeration, immediately before cremation, during the cremation process, and when processing the ashes. The metal identification tag goes into the cremation chamber with your loved one and comes out with their ashes, which are then placed in a sealed container with that same identification number. Because we operate our own private crematory with our own licensed staff, there are no third-party handoffs where identification could be compromised. We document every step and welcome families to ask questions about our tracking protocols.

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:

1. 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.
   
   

2. 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.
   
   

3. 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.
   
   

4. 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.
   
   

5. 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

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
  
  

• We publish all pricing online
  
  

• And we treat every family like our own

Yes, Magnolia welcomes families to tour our private crematory facility in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and we encourage you to ask this question of any provider you're considering.

Many funeral homes that outsource cremation can't offer facility tours because they don't own the commercial crematory performing the service. Some won't even disclose that they're outsourcing unless you specifically ask. If a provider hesitates when you request a crematory tour or says "we work with a partner facility," that's a sign they're using a third-party commercial crematory. At Magnolia, transparency matters. 

Our family care team can schedule a visit to our Jeffersonville facility, where you can see where your loved one will be cared for, meet our licensed staff, and ask any questions about our process, identification protocols, and equipment.