Unmarked grave
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The phrase Unmarked grave has metaphorical meaning in the context of cultures that mark burial sites.
As a figure of speech, an unmarked grave represents consignment to oblivion ie an ignominious end. A grave monument is a sign of respect and fondness, erected with the intention of commemorating and remembering a person. Even when a person's remains are lost, a cenotaph may be erected. Conversely, a deliberately unmarked grave signifies disdain and contempt. The underlying intention of an unmarked grave is that the person buried in it is not worthy of commemoration, and should therefore be completely ignored and forgotten eg Heinrich Himmler.
Unmarked graves have long been used to bury executed criminals. More recently, the practice has been to cremate and secretly scatter the ashes of notorious criminals in some anonymous place. This was the fate of Nazi war criminals such as Herman Goering and Adolf Eichmann. The remains of British serial killers Myra Hindley and Dr Harold Shipman were also treated in the same way. Cremation and secret scattering of the ashes has the additional effect of removing all possibility of there being a grave for someone to visit in the future.
Note:- a family grave may sometimes remain unmarked for financial reasons. No disrespect is deliberately intended in such cases. It is simply that the family are unable to afford a grave monument.
