Graves

A grave is a site where a deceased person is buried or interred. It is typically a pit or trench that may hold a coffin or urn and is marked by a headstone or memorial. The word grave derives from Old English graf or graefe, meaning a pit or trench, and has historically referred to both the burial place and the act of burial.

Graves are usually located in cemeteries, churchyards, or family plots and may be individualized or shared. The above-ground equivalent includes mausoleums and columbaria, where remains are housed in niches. In-ground burials commonly involve a coffin with earth cover, though cremated remains may be interred in a smaller container within a designated grave. Grave markers vary widely in form, from simple inscriptions to elaborate monuments, and may be augmented by flowers, wreaths, and annual maintenance.

Cultural and religious practices shape grave design, orientation, markers, and rituals. Markers often bear inscriptions, dates, and epitaphs and may be decorated with symbols or flowers. Some traditions emphasize modest graves, while others support elaborate monuments or family mausoleums. Burial customs can be influenced by legal regulations, cemetery policies, and environmental considerations through time.

Graves also serve as sources for historical and forensic information, revealing data about individuals and societies through inscriptions, artifacts, and spatial arrangement. They raise ethical and legal considerations regarding burial rights, exhumation, and cemetery management. Researchers and conservators study graves to understand past populations while balancing respect for the deceased with collective cultural heritage.