What is a Cenotaph?

A cenotaph is a structure erected to honor the dead. The defining characteristic of a cenotaph is that the remains of the person or people it commemorates are buried elsewhere, making a cenotaph a memorial marker, rather than a grave marker. Some of the most famous cenotaphs honor groups of dead, and are often prominently displayed in the public areas of major cities; many regional capitals, for example, have a memorial to their war dead.

The term cenotaph comes from a Greek phrase which means “empty tomb.” The Greeks wrote about numerous cenotaphs which apparently existed in antiquity, although few survive to this day, and the tradition of creating cenotaphs has clearly endured in many regions of the world. Some cenotaphs become major shrines or monuments, with pilgrims visiting the site to commemorate the person who is honored.

There are several reasons for a cenotaph to be constructed. Originally, cenotaphs were created when someone's body was removed to a new location, a common practice in antiquity. Typically, people would be buried close to the site where they died, and their family members might choose to move them later, leaving a literally empty tomb behind. In the case of notable individuals, these empty tombs became cenotaphs to honor the person who was once interred at the site.

Cenotaphs have also been established to honor the dead when their remains have not been recovered, as in the instance of people who are lost at sea, buried under rubble, or incinerated, as in the case of the victims of the atom bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. A cenotaph may also be created simply to honor a notable dead person; for example, the hometowns of famous writers, musicians, and other artists often have cenotaphs which pay homage to these individuals.

A group cenotaph usually honors the collective dead associated with a war or natural disaster, although they may also commemorate people linked by the manner of their deaths or deeds, such as stillborn infants, victims of drunk drivers, or organ donors. Group cenotaphs are often the sites of memorial ceremonies and events to honor the dead, and they may be decorated with wreaths and other offerings from visitors.

In addition to being located in a public place or a graveyard, a cenotaph can also be situated at a private home. Some families prefer to honor their dead at home for a variety of reasons, and they may install a cenotaph in an area of the garden dedicated to contemplation.