The families of the Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine are not allowed to open the sealed coffins they receive from the frontline. The relatives say they don’t know if the remains they buried really belonged to their loved ones.
This isn’t necessarily about the burial itself but usually there is an opportunity for a relative or relatives to confirm that the body is who is expected. Especially during war, dog tags and other record matching may help but not always. Logistics are complex during war and wounds can make proper identification difficult.
The UK did it mostly in the 20th century till the practice started falling out of favor. Personally never experienced or heard of it irl in the US but its in movies and TV pretty often.
This isn’t necessarily about the burial itself but usually there is an opportunity for a relative or relatives to confirm that the body is who is expected. Especially during war, dog tags and other record matching may help but not always. Logistics are complex during war and wounds can make proper identification difficult.
The UK did it mostly in the 20th century till the practice started falling out of favor. Personally never experienced or heard of it irl in the US but its in movies and TV pretty often.