臺南公園忠魂碑, 中華民國台灣 - A black and white photo of a clock tower

A cenotaph is a monument or structure erected in honor of a person or group of people whose remains are buried elsewhere. The word "cenotaph" comes from the Greek words "kenos" (meaning "empty") and "taphos" (meaning "tomb"). Cenotaphs can be found in many cultures throughout history, and they are often used to commemorate military personnel who died in battle but whose bodies were not recovered. Cenotaphs can take various forms, including statues, columns, obelisks, or simple plaques, and they are often located in public spaces such as parks, town squares, or cemeteries.