Perhaps it's a reflection of our aging population -- the average Erieite is 46 years old -- or simply another sign that this is a city that values tradition, but death-related stories always attract readers to the Erie Times-News. The news center on the front page of today's newspaper is headlined, "Ashes to ashes," and it focuses on cremation, which is on the rise in this part of Pennsylvania.

Cremation has long been available in Erie, but it's really taken off in the last 20 years. Prior to that, as Times-News reporter Robb Frederick points out, burials in local cemeteries were more common. Sharon Patterson told Frederick that both of her parents were cremated after they died within the last two years.

"Years ago, you used to spend two or three days at the funeral home," Patterson said. "That can become difficult. My mother realized that, and my father went along with it." After each parent died, they had a church service, and a private viewing for the family. Patterson told Frederick that gave her the sense of closure she needed. Her parents' ashes were buried in a plot they'd purchased at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

"Our generation is just not cemetery-goers," said Peter Burton, supervisor of the Burton Funeral Homes and Crematory, which has four sites in Erie. "We're not like our grandparents, who took care of all their aunts' and uncles' plots." He told Frederick, "Cemeteries are still very reverent and well respected here, but it doesn't seem like our generation visits as much as they did in the past."

Frederick interviewed Jack Martin, supervisor of the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, who installed a 27,000-pound crematory unit at his business in June 2007. The crematory has been in almost constant use since then. "It's more of a mobile society now," said Martin. "Much of the family is out of town, so what you get is, 'Let's cremate Mom and wait until we can all get together for the memorial service."

Cremation is also less expensive than a full burial service, which is an important factor for many families in this region.

In recent weeks in the Times-News, the daily list of Deaths on the newspaper's front page has often included 20 or more names. Again, it's a sign of an aging population, as well as the fact that an obituary in the paper remains an important rite for many families.

The newspaper's obits are written by family members and, in some cases, by the deceased themselves - in advance, of course. You never read so many heartfelt tributes to colorful individuals. The paper has run the ingredients of treasured recipes of favorite dishes Mom used to whip up, as well as the locations of secret fishing holes, the names of favorite hunting dogs, NASCAR drivers and just about anything else of major significance to the person in the obituary.

Does this mean we live in a maudlin city? Not at all. I prefer to think of Erie as a comfortable place to live and die, and I'd be willing to bet many Times-News readers feel the same way.

-- Kevin Cuneo