A memorial is an object or structure built to serve as the focus for the memory of something, usually a person (who has died) or an event.

 
In churches, memorials can take many forms and can be made from many different materials. For example, memorials can be stone slabs in the floor, brass plaques on the wall, wooden crosses, stained glass windows, statues, sculptures or gravestones in the churchyard. Memorials help to us to focus our remembrance of those who have died, of loved ones or of events in the past.

Many churches and churchyards contain war memorials. These can be in the form of plaques within the church or in the form of stone crosses in the churchyard. The names of those who were killed, injured or served in the war will be engraved upon the plaque or carved around the base of the cross. Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom falls on the 11th November each year. On this day we remember all those who have died in wars.