Sharing this Cleveland "Plain Dealer" article published on September 13, 2026 about legalizing Human Composting in Ohio

 Sharing the Cleveland Plain Dealer Story of September 13, 2026 - Front Page and Page 2: 
  "What if your remains could grow a tree instead of resting beneath a gravestone?"
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I feel this is the best in-depth story, that I have read thus far, that would help those who are seeking more information to answer questions that are top of mind about Human Composting.  It could answer all or most of their questions for themselves and/or loved ones for how to handle their remains after they are gone.  

There are a number of factors involved that can determine which path someone should choose.  Also relating to their family and sharing their reasons for making one choice over another.  

Human Composting is indeed a third choice after traditional burials and cremations.  It is more natural and more in tune with the environment.

  We'll see if it becomes legal in Ohio. So stay tuned for additional news about legally adopting this option in the Buckeye State.  

Sharing some newspaper stories about the W.P.A. Cemetery Plat Map program that helped identify veteran burials in Ohio.

 Sharing various Ohio newspaper stories published about the W.P.A. Cemetery Plat Map program that identified burial locations of veterans of wars, uprisings, insurrections, etc. from the American Revolution up to and including World War I (known at the time as the "World War" because WWII had not yet occurred.). 

Remembering and thanking Lolita Thayer Guthrie and James L. Murphy whose early help inspired me to believe that I could make a positive difference with my cemetery research work in Ohio.

I could not be as involved with cemetery preservation in Ohio and research the subject as much as I can in order to share with others what I learn along the way without the early guidance and hands-on help I received from two influential people who I am sure inspired others as well.:  Lolita Thayer Guthrie of the Ohio Genealogical Society and James L. Murphy of the Ohio Historical Society. 
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Lolita Thayer Guthrie:

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James L. Murphy

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Wednesday Webinar - September 16, 2026 - 10:30a.m. - 11:30a.m. - Ohio Township Association (OTA) - "Cemetery Management 101" - Presenter - Attorney Tom Spring

 Register for Cemetery Management 101 - Webinar - September 16, 2026 -  10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m.

Speaker:

Tom Spring, Spring Law, LLC

Description:

"Managing a township cemetery comes with unique operational, legal, and financial responsibilities that many officials are not fully prepared to navigate. This session will provide a practical overview of cemetery management fundamentals, including record keeping, maintenance standards, budgeting, policies, grave sales, and Ohio legal requirements. Attendees will gain actionable guidance and best practices to help ensure respectful operations, long-term sustainability, and proper stewardship of township cemetery assets." 

**Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
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OHIO TOWNSHIPS MAP

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OHIO TOWNSHIPS 101

HOW TOWNSHIPS BEGAN

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The Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing has a new portal seeking "Revolutionary War Era" cemeteries to enroll in its America 250-Ohio Program that matches volunteers to cemeteries with specific problems.

Sharing the links posted by the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing encouraging those responsible for Ohio's Revolutionary War era cemeteries to take part in this program managed through this dedicated portal. 

Cemeteries listed thus far.:

Aurora Cemetery

66 S. Aurora Road Aurora, OH 44202

Portage County

Request Type: Beautification

Ayersville Cemetery

Fruit Ridge Rd. Defiance, OH 43512

Defiance County

Request Type: Headstone Cleaning/Ground Maintenance

Farewell Retreat Cemetery

615 S Madison St Republic, OH 44867

Seneca County

Request Type: Donation Request

Hill Cemetery

Bowman Rd. Defaince, OH 43512

Defiance County

Request Type: Ground Maintenance

Maple Hill Cemetery

800 South Hyatt Street Tipp City, OH 45371

Miami County

Request Type: Tree removal

Myers Cemetery

State Route 15 Defiance, OH 43512

Defiance County

Request Type: Ground Maintenance

Riverside Cemetery

101 Riverside Drive Troy, OH 45373

Miami County

Request Type: Headstone Cleaning

Senecaville Cemetery

301 N. High St. Senecaville, OH 43780

Guernsey County

Request Type: Headstone Cleaning

1.  "Ohio's Revolutionary War Cemeteries Encouraged to Sign-Up for new Interactive Clean-up Portal."  

2.  A link to the "Cemetery Clean Up Portal." 

"In recognition of the yearlong America 250-Ohio celebration, the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing has launched a new Cemetery Clean-Up Portal to highlight the many ways that Ohioans of all ages can step up to help preserve Revolutionary War-era cemeteries located across the state, many of which have fallen into disrepair and are in need of attention."

Please read all of the particulars to understand the full scope of this program.

How this works:

• Cemetery owner/operators can submit a volunteer request by submitting the form below.
  The cemetery and information about the request will be posted to the interactive map and local volunteer
  groups can contact the cemeteries directly to connect with projects. 
• Potential project types include: Beautification/Landscaping/Planting Flowers/Placing Flags, Mowing/General Grounds Maintenance/Tree Limb Removal, Headstone Cleaning, Donation, Trash Cleanup
• This initiative is primarily focused on assisting cemeteries across Ohio that contain grave markers dating back to the Revolutionary War-era.

click to expand

Submit a request:

Submit a request by filling out the form,

available online or the form provided on

the website. 

Appropriate requests will be posted to the
interactive map within 5-7 business days.

Only legal owner/operators
 of cemetery properties are permitted
to submit a volunteer request. 

click to expand

Is your cemetery registered
with the state of Ohio? 

"You may be eligible to apply for grant funding!
Grant applicants shall be cemetery operators
properly registered pursuant to
Ohio Revised Code section 4767.02,
except for registered cemetery operators
that are for-profit companies."

click to expand

Legal Disclaimer:

"The Ohio Department of Commerce provides

the Cemetery Clean Up Portal as a tool to
connect community service groups
with cemeteries seeking assistance. 

Participation in the program is optional
and does not guarantee that a cemetery
will be matched with volunteers. 

All cleanup activities are conducted
independently by volunteers or volunteer
organizations. 

The Ohio Department of Commerce is not
responsible for supervising or managing
volunteer activities. 

By submitting a cleanup project
or participating as a volunteer, participants
acknowledge that they assume
all risks associated with their activities. 

The Ohio Department of Commerce
is not responsible for any damage
or claims that may arise
from volunteer cleanup facilitated
through the portal."