In countries with Orthodox traditions (such as Russia or Serbia), coins placed on gravestones are accompanied by prayers for the repose of the soul. They also represent symbolic aid in the journey to the afterlife.
A meaningful contemporary ritual
Outside of religious or military contexts, some people adopt this gesture as an intimate act , fulfilling a promise, a vow, or simply to mark their passing.
A practice that remains relevant today
This tradition persists not only in military cemeteries but is also sometimes observed in civilian sections. For many people, it is a discreet yet eloquent way of showing that they remember. That they were there. That the memory lives on.
Some burial sites even use these abandoned rooms to finance their upkeep or to help veterans’ organizations .
Diverse cultural expressions
Jewish tradition prefers pebbles placed on graves to coins, symbolizing the perpetuity of memory, like an indelible imprint against oblivion.
Other cultures favour personalized objects: seashells, dried petals, letters or even wine corks , evoking moments of shared happiness.
And why not you next time?
Whether one adheres to a particular belief or not, whether one was close to the deceased or not, this small ritual possesses undeniable symbolic power . A simple coin then becomes a tacit message: “Your existence still matters.”
On your next visit to a memorial site, look around you. And perhaps, you too will leave a small donation… in remembrance of a life, a sacrifice, or simply out of kindness. For often, the humblest gestures convey the deepest emotions .
