How soldier burials have changed throughout history

If you have ever visited older cemeteries, you have likely noticed military cemeteries where the crosses, headstones, and even the layout differ from those for civilians. This is because the history of military cemeteries differs from that of ordinary burial grounds. Soldiers often died on foreign soil, and at times large numbers of people had to be buried at once. Considering the lack of hygiene in earlier centuries, it becomes clear why soldiers were frequently buried in mass graves. Even today, military funeral services differ; for example, in the United States, a veteran’s funeral ceremony includes many specific elements and is organized differently. When soldiers died abroad, the repatriation of their remains was another complex but necessary procedure. Today, despite various historical circumstances, one thing remains unchanged — respect for those who fought for their homeland. “Vilniaus laidojimo namai” explore how the history of military burials has evolved.

Ancient Civilizations Honored Their Warriors

Since ancient times, European civilizations paid special attention to the burial and commemoration of soldiers who fell in battle. In 338 BC, after a battle with the Athenians, King Philip II of Macedon buried his soldiers and allies according to all religious rites, seeking to appease the gods. The Thebans erected a monument with a stone lion atop a burial mound where the fallen were laid to rest. In ancient Athens, near the famous Acropolis, special cemeteries were established for citizens who died for their homeland. Ancient civilizations often built empty tombs (cenotaphs) in memory of men who died in foreign lands.

Roman legions buried their soldiers individually in separate graves near military camps, as well as in mass graves after major battles. The exact funeral rituals of Viking warriors are not fully known due to the limited written sources about Viking life, but archaeological findings provide certain insights. Most Vikings were sent into the afterlife in two ways: through cremation or traditional burial. Cremation (often on a funeral pyre) was particularly common among early Viking pagans, who believed that the smoke from the fire would carry the deceased into the afterlife. The cremated remains were placed in urns, which were then buried in the ground.

Military Cemeteries — Since the 19th Century

Napoleon’s soldiers died in large-scale battles, and mass graves were common at the time, where both their own troops and enemy soldiers were buried. Such mass graves of Napoleon’s soldiers were discovered relatively recently. In 2001, a mass burial site containing the remains of several hundred of Napoleon’s soldiers was found in Vilnius.

The establishment of dedicated military cemeteries began in the 19th century. From that time on, a soldier’s death was seen not only as a family tragedy but also as a national one. People expressed respect for the men who fought for their homeland. Amid widespread lack of hygiene and medical knowledge, a significant turning point occurred in 1859 when Swiss humanitarian Henry Dunant was horrified by the treatment of wounded and fallen soldiers after a battle between French and Austrian forces. This led him to found the Red Cross, ensuring more respectful treatment of soldiers.

Another major event in history was the American Civil War (1861–1865), during which more than 600,000 people died. After the war, common military cemeteries were established where both Union and Confederate soldiers were buried; separate graves were designated for identified soldiers. Headstones were marked uniformly, regardless of rank, social status, or religion.

National Military Cemeteries — Since the 20th Century

On December 29, 1915, French law introduced the requirement to establish national cemeteries for soldiers who had “died for France,” with the state responsible for maintaining the graves. In French military cemeteries, several types of headstones can be found: Latin crosses, Jewish headstones, and markers for non-believers.

In Germany, cemeteries for soldiers who died after World War I are distinguished by their austere style — dark stone crosses, wrought-iron gates, and stone slabs. In the 1950s, a decision was made to standardize the crosses to better reflect the scale of the tragedy. They were made from durable materials such as aluminum, cast iron, and stone. Each headstone displays the soldier’s surname, first name, rank, and dates of birth and death.

In the United States, after World War I and World War II, graves were marked with white marble headstones. Jewish soldiers’ graves bear the Star of David, while others are marked with stylized marble Latin crosses. Initially, burial in national cemeteries was not considered a special honor, but it ensured that soldiers whose families could not afford to bring them home would receive a proper burial. Today, regardless of financial status, soldiers are buried in designated military cemeteries, and their memory is honored through Memorial Day dedicated to those who died in war.