wreath-laying
Honoring the fallen
Wreath-laying is the ceremonial act of placing a wreath at a memorial, grave, or monument to honor the dead.
The practice is common at war memorials and on commemorative occasions: The wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier drew a large crowd.
Officials, veterans, and dignitaries typically perform the ritual.
Formal event marking occasions
- tributeOffering of respect
- remembranceAct of holding something in mind
- commemorationAct of honoring memory
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
veterans · fallen · soldiers · monument · grave · tomb · cenotaph · armistice
Placing deceased underground
- gravesideBeside a burial plot
- intermentPutting a body underground
- funeralService honoring the dead
- mourningPeriod following loss
deceased · cemetery · casket · condolence · bereavement · flowers · family · service
Official foreign representative
- officialAuthority-sanctioned person or status
- state visitFormal diplomatic journey abroad
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
- dignitariesPersons of high rank
protocol · foreign minister · head of state · bilateral · goodwill · embassy · consul · formal
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
- tributeOffering of respect
- remembranceAct of holding something in mind
- commemorationAct of honoring memory
honor · veterans · fallen · soldiers · monument · grave · tomb · cenotaph · armistice · poppy
burial
Placing deceased underground
mourning · deceased · cemetery · casket · condolence · bereavement · flowers · family · service · eulogy
ambassador
Official foreign representative
- officialAuthority-sanctioned person or status
- state visitFormal diplomatic journey abroad
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
dignitaries · protocol · foreign minister · head of state · bilateral · goodwill · embassy · consul · formal · international
- commemorationscommemoration, remembrance, memorial service, centennial, bicentennial
- Military Paradesmarch music, marching, marchers, formation, formations
- Arlington Cemeteryeternal flame, headstones, burial plots, grave markers, changing of the guard
wreath-layingcelebration
Festive event marking occasion
birthday party · wedding ceremony · victory parade · jubilee · christening
wreath-layingrevelry
Noisy, lively celebration
festivity · merrymaking · carnival · gala · party
wreath-layinggrave desecration
Damaging or dishonoring tombs
tomb robbing · disinterment · forgetting · erasure · neglect