A welcoming funeral home

The red-brick funeral home on East 86th Street was designed to be an inviting, homelike space. When you come through our door, someone will always be there to offer a friendly greeting, a smile and a mug of hot coffee or a cold soft drink. Natural light fills the space and creates an easy, warm environment.

As a nondenominational facility, Leppert Mortuary & Crematory serves people from all ethnicities, faiths and backgrounds. The flexible chapel allows us to hold services small and large, traditional and contemporary, and accommodates catered events—from an ice cream social to a dinner buffet—before or after a service as well.

Personal, professional service

A philosophy of kindness, gentleness, compassion and understanding guides our dedicated team every step of every day. When you come to us, the first thing we do is listen. Our top concern is hearing what you have to say, anticipating your needs and making sure they are met. First, we pay attention to you. Then, we pay attention to the details that will make your or your loved one’s funeral or memorial special.

We pride ourselves on events that truly celebrate life. Whether you are seeking a basic cremation with a champagne toast, a full traditional funeral service with a cemetery burial and a reception, or a creative outdoor celebration complete with a live band, favorite foods, a full bar and funeral favors, we take care of every little thing. From a balloon release to a barbecue, a motorcycle procession to a musical tribute, the list of what we have done—and can do—is nearly endless.

Our goals is to serve you and your family individually, professionally and with the utmost dignity.

Private on-site crematory

Leppert Mortuary & Crematory Services opened in 1973 with a crematory on the property. John recognized the growing demand for cremation services even then and planned his funeral home accordingly. Today the crematory in Nora also serves Leppert’s Carmel location.

The advantage of a private on-site crematory is that you or your loved one never leaves our care. If you are interested in cremation, the funeral home team can explain the process and the different memorial and burial options. From a direct cremation without a service to a full funeral service before or after the cremation and more, we help you understand this increasingly common choice and arrange what's right for you.

Bereavement dogs

Among the special services Leppert offers are comfort dogs. Having a certified therapy dog nearby during a difficult time can relieve stress and even bring smiles on a hard day. We partner with the Healing Paws Chapter of Love on a Leash to make bereavement dogs available for funeral and memorial services as well as while you are making final arrangements. Bereavement dogs are available on request for no charge. If you’d like a comfort animal, just let us know.

Peace of mind when you need it

As the only mortuary serving the Nora-Northside community, we are always here for you, responding to your call right away, day or night. Please don’t hesitate to reach out, whether you are planning ahead or have an immediate need.

History

John Leppert was 29 when he opened what is now Leppert Mortuary & Cremation Service in Nora. With a Small Business Assistance loan for operating expenses and a gift from his parents that funded the building of the funeral home and crematory, John, along with Ed Copeland, started his East 86th Street business in 1973. Indianapolis Mayor Richard G. Lugar, Rev. Paul Courtney of St. Luke Catholic Church, Rev. A. Howard Lindquist of Northminster Presbyterian Church and P.E. Mcallister of Mcallister Machinery cut the ribbon for the business on a fine June day. John and Ed ran the firm together as Leppert & Copeland Mortuary until December 31, 1976, when Ed retired.

The business was situation for growth, but hard times hit the following spring, when on Easter Sunday 1977, the mortuary caught fire due to an improperly constructed chimney. The second floor burned completely, the ceiling of the chapel fell in and the rest of the building was badly smoke damaged. John recalls that the Nora community was very supportive during the time he was rebuilding—and working out of the back of his car—and by Thanksgiving of that year John was able to welcome families back to the funeral home.

In 1982, he took on a new partner, Dan Hurt, and the business became Leppert & Hurt.

In May 1999 Leppert ventured to Carmel, purchasing the Smith Funeral Home, which would later be called Leppert Mortuary, Smith Carmel Chapel. David left Leppert in 2000 to work for his father-in-law’s funeral business.

In 2002, Jeffrey Hensley joined the firm, and the name changed again to Leppert & Hensley. Four years later, Jeff retired. Now the business is called Leppert Mortuary & Crematory Services, and it operates locations in Nora and Carmel. Both funeral homes became part of the Dignity Memorial network in 2018.

Endlessly dedicated to the community he loves, John Leppert Sr. is still a familiar face around the funeral home and an expert at caring for grieving families.