What term refers to a monument erected to the memory of the deceased without the presence of a body?

The term that refers to a monument erected to honor the memory of the deceased without the presence of a body is cenotaph. A cenotaph serves as a symbolic marker, often utilized to commemorate individuals whose remains are not present at the site, such as those lost at sea, in wars, or not recovered for burial.

In contrast, memorials can encompass various forms, including cenotaphs, but they do not exclusively refer to those without a body. Monoliths are typically large stone structures or monuments often associated with prehistoric sites and do not specifically denote memorials. Gravestones, on the other hand, are markers placed at burial sites that specifically indicate where a body is interred, thus meaning they do not fit the criteria of honoring someone without the presence of remains. Therefore, cenotaph is the accurate term for such a memorial.