Township Trustee Assistance for Cremation Services in Indiana

A Township Trustee in Indiana is a locally elected official who helps residents in crisis, including offering financial assistance for cremation, burial, housing, and utility costs.

Each Indiana county is divided into townships, and every township has a trustee who manages emergency aid for people who live in that area. Trustees are funded through local property taxes and serve four-year terms. Their job is to ensure that basic needs are met for individuals and families facing hardship.

💡 If you're seeking help with cremation costs, your local Township Trustee may be able to assist, especially if the deceased had limited income or no family support.

Need help finding your trustee or to see if your loved one qualified for assistance?

📞 ​​Call us any time to speak with a Family Care Advisor. We are available day or night to gently guide you and answer any questions or concerns you might have, no funeral home visit required.

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 drastically mark up merchandise, resulting in higher prices. Magnolia Cremations owns our crematory and handles everything in-house, so we keep pricing honest, simple, and dignified.

💡 Want to see exactly what your cremation will cost? ➝ Calculate your cremation costs by using our free Cremation Cost Calculator. It's a quick, transparent, no-obligation way to see exactly what you’ll pay, before making any decisions.

Township Trustee cremation assistance is a local program in Indiana that helps cover cremation costs for residents who are financially unable to pay. It’s designed for families experiencing hardship, especially when there are limited resources or no next of kin available.

Every Indiana township has an elected trustee who oversees emergency support, including help with cremation and burial expenses. This aid is funded by local property taxes, and the amount of help available can vary depending on the township’s size, population, and budget.

💡 In many cases, Trustee assistance can fully cover direct cremation services, especially with providers like Magnolia Cremations who keep costs low and work directly with Trustee offices.

How does it work?

• Funding levels vary by township. Some may cover the full cost, others may offer partial help.
• Families may be asked to:

• Pay the difference if the Trustee pays only a portion
• Apply for other community support programs

⚠️ Before applying, Indiana law requires a Medicaid eligibility check. If the deceased qualifies for Indiana Medicaid Burial Assistance, that coverage must be used first. Magnolia Cremations can assist with this step too.

Have Questions?

📞 ​​Call us any time to speak with a Family Care Advisor about Township Trustee Assistance or Medicaid Assistance. We are available day or night to gently guide you and answer any questions or concerns you might have.

In Indiana, Township Trustees can provide financial assistance for cremation if the deceased person had no assets, no family able to pay, and was a resident of the township at the time of death. Assistance is intended as a last resort after exploring all other funding options like Medicaid Burial Assistance.

✅ Basic Eligibility Requirements:

1. Residency:
The deceased must have lived in the township at the time of death.

2. Financial Need:
The deceased must have left no liquid assets, such as:

• Bank account funds
  
• Real estate
  
• Automobiles, boats, RVs
  
• Jewelry, electronics, or other valuables
  

3. No Family Able to Pay:
If immediate or extended family members have the financial means to pay, the Township Trustee may deny assistance.

4. Medicaid Burial Check:
Indiana law requires that the family or funeral provider first check if the deceased qualifies for Medicaid Burial Assistance. Township assistance is secondary if Medicaid coverage is denied.

5. Completed Application:

• A Township Assistance Application (Form TA-1) must be filed before any arrangements are made.
  
• All required documents must be submitted, including proof of residency and financial status.
  
• All adults living with the deceased must sign the application.

📝 Important Application Notes:

• Investigation Period:
  It may take up to 72 business hours to process an application once it is complete. (Weekends and holidays are excluded.)
  
• Waiver of Final Arrangements:
  If assistance is approved, the township becomes legally responsible for authorizing the cremation. A Waiver of Right to Make Final Arrangements must be signed.
  
• Use of GoFundMe or Other Donations:
  Any money raised (e.g., through GoFundMe) must be disclosed. Township assistance may be reduced if outside funds are available.
  
• Preferred Method - Direct Cremation:
  Unless the deceased had a signed, pre-existing objection to cremation, most townships will approve direct cremation (no service, embalming, or viewing).

⚠️ Situations That May Disqualify an Applicant:

• The deceased owned real assets that could be liquidated.
  
• There are financially capable family members available.
  
• Funds were raised from donations but not reported to the township.
  
• Arrangements were made before receiving township approval.

Need Help?

Magnolia Cremations can assist families in completing Township Trustee paperwork, coordinating with the Trustee’s office, and ensuring a dignified, timely cremation, even when financial resources are limited.

📞 ​​Call us any time to speak with a Family Care Advisor. We are available day or night to gently guide you and answer any questions or concerns you might have

To apply for Township Trustee assistance for cremation in Indiana, you must complete a formal application and provide documentation that proves the deceased’s financial need, residency, and family situation.

Applications are carefully reviewed before any assistance can be approved.

Required Documents for Township Trustee Cremation Assistance:

✅ Completed Application Form (TA-1):

The official Indiana Township Assistance Application must be fully completed and signed by:

• The person applying for assistance (if different from the deceased)
  
• All adults who lived with the deceased at the time of death

✅ Proof of Residency:

Documents showing that the deceased resided in the township at the time of death, such as:

• Lease agreement
  
• Recent utility bill
  
• State-issued ID or driver’s license

✅ Proof of Income or Financial Resources:

Evidence that the deceased had no significant assets, including:

• Bank statements
  
• Social Security or disability income records (if applicable)
  
• Pension statements (if any)

✅ Asset Documentation:

Disclosure of any property or valuables, such as:

• Deeds to real estate
  
• Vehicle titles (car, boat, RV, etc.)
  
• Jewelry, precious metals, electronics

✅ Verification of No Insurance or Prepaid Funeral Plans:

Confirmation that no funeral or life insurance policies exist to cover final expenses.

✅ Proof of Denial (if applying after Medicaid Burial Assistance):

If applicable, documentation showing that the deceased was denied Indiana Medicaid Burial Assistance.

✅ Death Certificate (or pending death certificate):

Some townships may request a certified or pending death certificate as part of the case review.

✅ Disclosure of Fundraising Efforts:

If a GoFundMe or similar fundraiser exists, the applicant must:

• Inform the township of the fundraiser
  
• Submit information about collected or promised funds

⚠️ Important Notes:

• All required documents must be submitted before approval.
  
• No arrangements (such as cremation or burial) can be made until Trustee approval is received.
  
• Incomplete or missing documentation can delay or prevent assistance.

Need help ?

Magnolia Cremations can guide you step-by-step through the Township Trustee application process. Our team is here to make it as simple, respectful, and stress-free as possible.

📞 Call us anytime to speak to a Family Care Advisor.