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When death approaches, most people would rather spend their days at home. But in Massachusetts, a remarkable number of dying patients often end up in hospital beds instead, and enter hospice for only a few days, a new analysis has found. Massachusetts, especially the eastern part of the state, ranks among the lowest in the nation for the number of days residents spend at home during their final six months. Nearly one-fourth die in hospitals — a sign of the reluctance in the medical establishment to use hospice or palliative care. (Freyer, 11/2)

Death and dying can be costly, but they are rarely considered a business by consumers. Many would rather not ponder critical decisions about feeding tubes, funeral homes and other end-of-life issues until the need is thrust upon them. But as our population ages and the industry gets more attention, new firms — many of them technology companies — are setting out to compete on price and convenience. (Zimmerman, 11/2)