Jackson, New Jersey

The Orthodox Churchyard:  Prince Vladimir brought Christianity to the Russians over 1,000 years ago. So, a name on the American landscape of the 21st century becomes a time tunnel leading back to the 11th. Orthodox churchyards would never be mistaken for Roman Catholic or Protestant ones. St. Vladimir Memorial Church Cemetery. [2015]

Chelmsford, Massachusetts

The Unitarian Churchyard:  Even though Unitarians have had heterodox views of the soul after after death, the mortal remains of those souls must be interred. So, like old churches of all denominations, they are surrounded by the graves of their ancestors. Forefathers Burying Ground. [2013]

Pine Grove, Pennsylvania

The Lutheran Churchyard:  In the agrarian past, denominations (Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, whatever) were united by their spatial form. Small churches along well-traveled country roads, often at intersections, gave birth to burial places right outside the sanctuary door. Here both church and churchyard survive, but sometimes the churches disappear while the churchyards go on forever. Jacobs Lutheran Church. [2017]

Denton, Maryland

The Methodist Churchyard:  When you had to pass over the graves of family and friends on your way to the sanctuary, you had no trouble focusing on the soul-saving messages emanating from the pulpit. The journey to church was a weekly reminder of your own mortality. Concord United Methodist Church Cemetery. [2013]

Oakfield, Ohio

The Baptist Churchyard:  When churchyards served as cemeteries, you had a chance to visit departed loved ones at least once a week. Death was a visible and ever-present part of life. Perhaps, locations like this provided more opportunities for passing on family memories to younger generations since you found yourself there so frequently.  Oakfield Baptist Church Cemetery. [2017]

Oldtown, Kentucky

The Christian Churchyard:  When the American population was rural and dispersed over large areas, there were only two choices for burial: close to home or close to church. That's why so many small, country churches are surrounded by graves. Oldtown Christian Church Cemetery. [2017]

Hereford, Texas

What Happened on 14 June 1777?  The United States adopted a national flag that came to be known as 'old glory.' On this headstone, in full color, it takes up almost half the space available. What will future generations conclude when they find so many flags etched into solid granite in cemeteries across the United States? West Park Cemetery. [2017]

Parkersburg, West Virginia

What Happened on 14 June 1777?  The United States adopted a national flag that came to be known as the 'stars and stripes.' Here, it hangs as a curtain between life and death. Remember: Tomorrow is Flag Day. Mt. Olivet Cemetery. [2014]

Fort Mitchell, Kentucky

What Happened on 14 June 1777?  The United States adopted a national flag that came to be known as the 'star spangled banner.' It's not surprising to see it all over American graveyards, sometimes etched into granite and sometimes flying free over the grave itself. The inscription on this headstone reads "Once in our lives and now in our hearts." We could modify it to refer to the red-white-and-blue: "Everywhere in our lives and always in our hearts." St. Mary's Cemetery. [2017]

Elkridge, Maryland

Pet Aftercare ~ The Case of Noah's Ark:  Their "little angel" lies buried here, under the watching care of Noah. The pet section at Meadowridge has existed since 1980, and it is growing. Just think: about 7 out of 10 households in the U.S. have a dog or cat. Noah's Garden of Pets at Meadowridge Cemetery. [2018]

Elkridge, Maryland

Pet Aftercare ~ The Case of Noah's Ark:  Anthropomorphism: You may may been warned about it in a psychology or anthropology class, but it is alive and well in pet cemeteries. We have made pets human: "Our darling baby, best friend we ever had. . . " There has been a major shift in how we view pets and how we send them off to the afterlife. Noah's Garden of Pets at Meadowridge Cemetery. [2018]

Elkridge, Maryland

Pet Aftercare ~ The Case of Noah's Ark:  The number of pet cemeteries in the U.S. is approaching 1000, and they are also popular in at least 15 other countries. This one is located adjacent to a human cemetery on the outskirts of Baltimore. It is named after the Biblical character who is more revered in the animal kingdom than God herself. Noah's Garden of Pets at Meadowridge Cemetery. [2018]