What is typically placed on a grave to identify the individual buried there?

A grave marker serves the primary purpose of identifying the individual buried at that location. Grave markers can come in various forms, such as headstones, flat markers, or other types of memorials. These markers typically include important information such as the name of the deceased, dates of birth and death, and sometimes personal inscriptions or symbols that reflect the individual’s life or beliefs.

While a tombstone typically refers to a specific type of grave marker, the term is often used interchangeably with grave marker in a general sense, but grave marker is the broader and more accurate term for any object used to identify a grave. A marked cross can also signify a grave, particularly in some religions, but it serves a different purpose as a symbol of faith rather than a comprehensive identification marker. A cenotaph is a memorial for someone buried elsewhere and does not directly identify the grave of an individual in the ground. Thus, in terms of clear identification of the individual buried at a specific grave, the term grave marker is the most accurate choice.