What would generally be contained in a sarcophagus?

A sarcophagus is a stone coffin that typically houses the deceased's body. This burial vessel is often ornately designed and was used in various ancient cultures, including Egyptian and Roman, to provide protection and honor for the individual after death. The primary function of a sarcophagus is to preserve the remains and present them in a dignified manner.

While burial artifacts and other items may be included in the burial context surrounding the sarcophagus, the sarcophagus itself fundamentally serves the purpose of encasing the body. Funeral flowers, while common in memorial services, are usually placed around the burial site rather than being contained within the sarcophagus. Grave markers are also separate entities used to denote the location of the burial rather than being part of the sarcophagus itself. Thus, the focus of a sarcophagus is on safeguarding and memorializing the deceased's body, making it the intended correct answer.