What would a makeshift grave marker be in a fantasy setting?

Just curious to get some ideas about what a grave marker would be in a fantasy(pathfinder,D&D) setting. I don't mean like in graveyards and such as those would be headstone markers of stone and such. More like a farmer burying his family after monster attack or family grave plot. What would be a common grave marker? So far was just going to have two sticks tied together(almost like a tent or x shape, /\ )with flowers wreathed around it. Would they be simplistic like that(stone piles and such) or resemble religious symbols of various deities more(like makeshift holy symbols). Just looking for some ideas as to what would make sense.

That sounds like a great question to ask your players. Whatever they tell you comes with their inherent buy-in on the idea and will likely have more impact and flavor that is relevant to them. More than anything we might suggest, probably.

I suspect it depends on the culture of the region and faith of the deceased - google is your friend here.

If they are followers of a particular deity, then some kind of symbol relevant to that deity would make sense. Either created from sticks, as you suggested, or perhaps carved into a wooden board or post. Or even stone, if the farmer has time and is staying at the location. If it's a hasty burial and the farmer is leaving the area because of a monster attack, then it might be nothing more elaborate than a stone cairn. That serves two purposes: To mark the grave and to help prevent wild animals from attempting to dig it up.

Stone piles are the simplest, most agnostic option for commoners. It wouldn't be inappropriate to mark a warrior's grave with his/her sword. Wood carving was an important skill for most working people in medieval times, as well as a common hobby, so you could expect some kind of wooden marker with the appropriate symbol carved crudely, possibly with a message. If you go for a pseudo-Norse setting, then a simple rock pile with a runed stick would be appropriate, I believe.

Stone piles are common through out history. The native americans built platforms for their dead also. They wrapped them in leather and either burned the body (very rarely but it depended on the tribe) or left the body exposed to the elements. With their belief system this was their way of having their people go to the hunting grounds (That is from my flawed understanding of their beliefs)

Another common practice was to plant trees. Sometimes trees of special significance to the relevant faith, sometimes just a tree. In some locations they even planted rings of saplings around the place, forming a sort of burial area. Another, far less common practice than the already mentioned ones, was to dig a pond, then a hole in the middle of the pond, drop the body in, throw rocks on it and let it turn into a local little landmark. (note, these ponds usually didn't last long once their original caretaker died or lost interest, dirt has a tendency to move back and all, and were also pretty bad to drink from).

Yeah the stone piles,rock cairn makes sense but seemed kind of bland and simplistic(which makes sense as to why it is commonly used due to availability of materials and limited skill necessary to build) so looking for something else that would make sense.A makeshift grave wouldn't really make sense to build a pond or plant trees, seems a little to elaborate for the "roadside grave".I like the wooden boards with message or symbol carved into it or fashioned by sticks. Not a long term grave sight but makes sense for situation of a hasty burial. I appreciate the feedback and responses on this, cause wanted to have something different from rock pile or cross that seem to be the normal depiction in media(though again stone pile does make sense protecting from animals and such) .Thanks for suggestions

In a similar vein to a fallen warrior's sword marking his place - any defining article of clothing or possession could be used to mark a grave. Tie the scarf that they always wore around a stick, and shove the stick into the ground. Tie a component pouch to their staff and shove that into the dirt.