Franciscan Hospice House In Greenwood Celebrates 10th Anniversary

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana - When presented with the idea of building a hospice house on the south side of Indianapolis in the late 1990s, Glenda Dennison was intrigued. The Greenwood, Indiana, resident, who was a volunteer coordinator for Hospice at Franciscan Health, had lost her husband to cancer and wished there was a facility like the Franciscan Hospice House that he could have spent his last final days in.

After 15-plus years of planning, including fundraising, the Franciscan Hospice House came to fruition and opened its doors in 2015. Dennison played a key role in the process, especially in terms of fundraising. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the hospice house which has served countless families.

"We needed a place on the south side where a family could go and be with their loved ones and spend quality time with them and not have to be the caregivers," said Dennison. "I've had friends and acquaintances who have passed away at the Hospice House. It's a very special place to me and always will be. We really did put our heart and soul into it."

As part of the 10th anniversary celebration, the Franciscan Hospice House will host an open house and celebration on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 from 3-6 p.m. with a theme of "Remember, Rejoice and Recommit."

The event will remember past patients from the hospice house and those who cared for them. 

The Franciscan Hospice House features 16 private suites, with a large public area for visiting, a well-equipped kitchen with a dining room to allow families to cook their own meals, along with a chapel and prayer garden. In addition, a playroom for children is part of the hospice house.

"The hospice house is just perfect and so beautiful," said Dennison. "It is so serene. Everyone who has had a family member there mentions the serenity of it and how peaceful it is and the care that their loved one received in their final days."

The hospice house is staffed with physicians, skilled registered nurses, patient care technicians, chaplains, social workers, bereavement counselors and volunteers. The group takes a team approach to providing families with physical, spiritual, social and emotional support.

"Hospice is a calling for those who work in it and to be able to do what they do, to be in that atmosphere and provide that serenity," said Dennison. "You couldn't ask for anything more here on Earth. We are very fortunate to have the hospice house and everyone who works there."

The Franciscan Hospice House is located at 8414 Franciscan Lane in Indianapolis.

Learn more about the Franciscan Hospice House.