Memento mori

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

A group of young choristers in school uniforms burn palm crosses in an outdoor fire pit, creating ash for Ash Wednesday near Salisbury Cathedral.

Day of the Dead figurines

Title page from 1665 Bills of Mortality, framed with skulls and bones, features a skull and crossbones with banner reading Memento Mori above text about London's plague deaths.

Memento mori: References & Edit History

More Articles On This Topic

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Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

René Ostberg
René Ostberg is an associate editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type	Description	Contributor	Date
	Article title updated for style.	The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica	Nov 03, 2026
	Added cross-references and top questions.	René Ostberg	Sep 10, 2025
	Media added.	Melissa Petruzzello	Jan 31, 2025
	Added cross-references.	Charles Preston	Aug 05, 2024
	New article added.	John P. Rafferty René Ostberg	Jan 18, 2023