Midtown Funeral Home and Cremation Options

01/17/2026

Have you ever heard of a Home Funeral? Are you interested in learning about how a Home Funeral is done? The Chicago Death Doula Collective will be hosting a Home Funeral workshop that is open to Death Doulas, Caregivers, Hospice workers, Healers, Practitioners, and anyone who is interested in learning about this alternative funeral option.

The CDDC will be hosting an informative and interactive demonstration open to all those interested in learning more about Home Funerals.

01/16/2026

On this day, January 16, 1942, we lost the vibrant American actress and screwball comedy queen, Carole Lombard. Her sharp wit and boundless energy made her one of Hollywood's brightest stars. Iconic in classics like My Man Godfrey (earning an Oscar nomination for Best Actress), Twentieth Century, Nothing Sacred, and her final film To Be or Not to Be, she excelled at playing fast-talking, independent women with impeccable comedic timing. Her spirited performances and off-screen patriotism (tragically cut short by a plane crash at age 33) cemented her as an enduring legend of American cinema.

01/15/2026

On this day, January 15, 2019, we lost Carol Channing, American actress and singer whose larger-than-life energy, gravelly voice, and sparkling personality lit up Broadway. Iconic as the original Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! (earning a Tony Award) and as Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, she brought irrepressible charm and comedic brilliance to every role. A four-time Tony nominee and enduring star of stage, screen, and television, her joyful performances and signature style left an indelible mark on American entertainment.

01/14/2026

On this day, January 14, 2016, we lost Alan Rickman, the British actor and director whose commanding presence and velvety voice made him unforgettable. He had an uncanny ability to portray complex, often villainous characters with depth and nuance, and captivated audiences as the cold yet tragic Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series. A classically trained performer and member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, he earned a devoted following and a legacy as one of the finest actors of his generation.

01/13/2026

On this day, January 13, 1941, we lost James Joyce, the Irish literary genius and one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. He is best known for revolutionizing modern fiction with his stream-of-consciousness technique in Ulysses, often hailed as the greatest novel ever written. He captured the inner workings of the human mind with unparalleled depth and linguistic innovation. Exiled yet eternally tied to Dublin, his bold, complex works reshaped literature forever, inspiring countless authors and remaining essential reading for anyone who values the power of words.

01/12/2026

Did you know that Chicago used to have funeral trains? Back when the city was rapidly growing and new cemeteries were established on the outskirts (due to ordinances banning burials within city limits), getting to those distant resting places wasn't easy. Roads were often unpaved and muddy, especially in bad weather, and horse-drawn hearses could struggle.

These special trains carried both the casket and entire groups of mourners directly to cemeteries like Rosehill, Calvary, or even southern ones like Mt. Greenwood, Mt. Olivet, and Mt. Hope. Some lines even added spur tracks right into cemetery grounds for a seamless arrival.

What fascinating piece of Chicago history surprises you most?

01/12/2026

On this day, January 12, 1976, we lost Agatha Christie, English writer and undisputed Queen of Crime. Best known for her ingenious detective novels featuring the brilliant Hercule Poirot and the sharp-witted Miss Marple, she crafted masterpieces like Murder on the Orient Express, And Then There Were None, and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd that redefined the mystery genre. With over 2 billion copies sold worldwide, her unparalleled psychological insights prove that a well-spun tale of suspense can endure forever.

01/11/2026

On this day, January 11, 2015, we lost Anita Ekberg, the radiant Swedish actress whose voluptuous beauty and magnetic presence lit up the silver screen. Best remembered as the enchanting Sylvia in Federico Fellini's masterpiece La Dolce Vita (1960), she created one of cinema's most iconic moments.

01/10/2026

On this day, January 10, 2016, we lost David Bowie, the visionary English singer-songwriter, and cultural icon who reshaped music and style. Known for his groundbreaking alter ego Ziggy Stardust, he pushed boundaries across decades with albums like Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, and his powerful final work Blackstar. Bowie reminds us that creativity thrives on transformation, leaving an indelible mark that continues to inspire the dreamers and outsiders.

01/09/2026

On this day, January 9, 2022, we lost Bob Saget, the beloved American comedian and television host. Best known as the family patriarch Danny Tanner on the iconic sitcom Full House, he also charmed millions as the original host of America's Funniest Home Videos. Behind the clean-cut image, Saget was a sharp stand-up comedian with a fearless edge, reminding us that humor can heal and connect across generations.

01/08/2026

On this day, January 8, 1642, we lost Galileo Galilei, the legendary Italian astronomer, physicist, and mathematician. Renowned as the "father of modern science" for his groundbreaking use of the telescope and support of heliocentrism, he defiantly clashed with the Inquisition. A fearless pioneer, he transformed our understanding of the cosmos with empirical evidence and unyielding curiosity.

01/07/2026

On this day, January 7, 1943, we lost Nikola Tesla, the brilliant Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer. Renowned for his pioneering work on alternating current (AC) electricity systems, induction motors, and wireless transmission he is perhaps best known for the Tesla coil and his fierce rivalry with Edison in the "War of the Currents." A visionary futurist, he bridged science and imagination with relentless innovation and eccentricity.