Last Rites

For the final story in our series, "Last Rites:  Death and Remembrance in Maryland," we turn to Annapolis, and wind back the clock two-and-a-half centuries.  That was when Jonas Green was the official printer of the colony of Maryland.  Much has been written about him and his work -- but only recently has anyone given any attention to his wife, Anna Catherine Green, who became one of the first women printer-publishers in colonial America. WYPR’s Sam Greenspan brings us this story as told to him by an archeologist, a descendant and some local history buffs.

In Baltimore, street memorials to the dead are a common sight, despite a state law banning them, which passed in 2008. They memorialize the victims of gang violence, street crime and traffic accidents. In almost all cases, the victims are young. In this installment of our series, “Last Rites: Death & Remembrance In Maryland,” WYPR’s Sunni Khalid reports on a new generation gap involving mourning rituals.

Cemeteries are supposed to be inviolate places. They are set aside as hallowed ground. Places for grieving and remembering and honoring. Such a place was the Laboring Sons Cemetery in Frederick – until the city changed its name and tore down the headstones to make way for a playground. WYPR’s Fraser Smith reports in this installment of our series, “Last Rites: Death & Remembrance In Maryland.”