MiddletownJournal.com

We explore the death care business — its prices, practices and Ohio's laws governing the industry.

Video

• Funeral Homes: See the front and back rooms of a funeral home
• Cremation: Gaining popularity in area
• Monuments: Simple markers giving way to stories about deceased
• Remains donation: Some turn death into way to help others

Articles

Planning for the funeral cuts your expenses, vulnerability

We look at what area funeral homes charge for their services, how to shop for a funeral and what you should know about funeral laws and your rights. Article

> Funeral price lists required by law

> Advice on planning for a funeral

> What the law says about funerals

> Becoming a funeral director

Ohio law is very clear on the handling of funeral services

Funeral homes across Ohio use insurance agents to solicit and sell preneed funeral contracts. But Ohio law says only licensed funeral directors can do this. What's the state doing about it? Also, preplanning a funeral may be a good idea, but critics say prepaying is not. Article

> Practice of unlicensed funeral directing 'widespread'

> Plan your funeral, but should you pay ahead?

> Using the 'counselor' title

> About the board that regulates funeral directors in Ohio

> What do you think?

Options: Some choose to make arrangements without funeral home

You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to say goodbye to your loved ones. Article

> Celebrating a life simply

> Caskets can be expensive, but shopping around can cut cost

> Final resting places cost a premium in any location

> Monument can be a work of art

> Photos: Monuments can be a work of art

> What do you think?