What is this about?

Player Memorials are small wooden crosses found across the map of Chernarus or Livonia, dedicated to deceased members of the DayZ community requested by friends or family. These memorials are usually placed in their favorite spots. While early memorials were announced in the official status reports (e.g. Dec. 12th 2017 or June 5th 2018), later ones were added in strict silence, known only to those who requested the placement.

How are you finding them?

Stumbling across small wooden crosses by accident in-game is cool - but also time-consuming. That's why there's some tech wizardry behind this project. Sometimes you'll see posts on Reddit where players share a cross they found, wondering who it's for. Every now and then, a friend of the deceased replies with the story behind it. That's where these dedications come from. If you discover an unlisted cross, know a name, or have a story to share - just reach out. I'll add it to the list.

How can you request such memorials?

If you'd like to request a memorial for a deceased friend, you can reach out to the developers through X (Twitter) or the Official Bohemia feedback tracker.

There are some crosses on the map that are not in your list.

That is correct. Some crosses - like the orthodox-style ones - are regular static objects that are placed on the map (sometimes since ArmA days) for design reasons, like any other static object. However, the player memorials are usually small wooden crosses, often placed together with a bench next to them. 

This sounds interesting and is a nice gesture from the developers!

DayZ is not just a game, it's about its great community too. Why don't you join a server and take a tour with your friends and visit some of those places. Pay your respects and leave a beverage or a teddy bear. This is also a great opportunity to get familiar with the beautiful DayZ maps.