Cenotaph

Definition

From:Wikipedia:Cenotaph

A cenotaph is an "empty tomb" or a monument erected in honour of a person or group of people whose remains are elsewhere. It can also be the initial tomb for a person who has since been interred elsewhere. The word derives from the Greek: κενοτάφιον = kenotaphion (kenos, one meaning being "empty", and taphos, "tomb"). Although the vast majority of cenotaphs are erected in honour of individuals, many noted cenotaphs are instead dedicated to the memories of groups of individuals, such as the lost soldiers of one country or empire.

Strictly speaking, cenotaphs are erected not where the person is buried but where they are being honored. The Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC would be an example of this. Sometimes, however, the cenotaph is erected on or near where the person is buried, but contains more detailed information ab out their life or death. Typically, such memorials are erected long after their death, and inscribed by persons not contemporary with the individual being honored. As such, the information that is inscribed does not constitute an Original Source. It records what those erecting the cenotopah believe to be true, but becaused their information is not based on direct contemporary knowledge of the person, it does not represent an original source.