Frequently Asked Questions

What is Project Nomen?

Project Nomen is a living memorial dedicated to the remembrance of those who have passed away.

The idea is simple: people can record or upload a short audio message — a name, a dedication, a few words, or a song — in memory of someone they have lost.

Once accepted, recordings become part of Project Nomen's ongoing stream of remembrance, where names and memories continue to be spoken and heard.

We believe no name should ever be forgotten.

Who created Project Nomen?

Project Nomen was created as an independent memorial initiative by someone who believes that no name should ever be forgotten.

The creator has chosen to remain anonymous publicly. Project Nomen is not intended to be a monument to the person who created it, but to the people whose names are remembered through it.

What matters is not who started Project Nomen, but what it exists to do: to keep the names of those we have loved spoken, heard and remembered.

The creator may remain unseen. The names never will.

Why was Project Nomen created?

Project Nomen was inspired by the idea that we all die twice.

The first time, when we leave this world. The second, when our name is spoken for the last time.

Project Nomen was created to challenge that second death — by creating a place where the names of those we have loved can continue to be spoken and heard.

Is Project Nomen free to use?

Yes. Submitting a recording to Project Nomen is free.

Project Nomen may accept voluntary donations to help support the operation, development and long-term future of the project, but a donation is never required to submit a recording.

Is Project Nomen an art project?

Project Nomen exists somewhere between a memorial, a social experiment and an artistic project.

While its physical embodiment, the Tree of Names, is conceived as a work of public art, the heart of Project Nomen is remembrance.

It is ultimately a place for people to honour those they have loved and lost.

Is Project Nomen a religious project?

No.

Project Nomen is independent of any religion, faith or belief system.

The project is open to everyone, regardless of their beliefs. Remembrance belongs to us all.

For this reason, recordings submitted to Project Nomen should remain focused on the remembrance of the deceased and should not contain religious messaging or preaching.

Can I make a donation to Project Nomen?

Yes. Voluntary donations help support the operation, development and long-term future of Project Nomen, including the vision of one day creating the Tree of Names.

Donations are entirely voluntary and are never required to submit a recording.

How do I record and submit a name?

Visit the Remember Someone page.

You can either record your message directly through the website or upload an existing audio file.

Your recording must be no longer than 30 seconds. Before submitting, you will be asked to confirm that you have read and agree to the Project Nomen Terms & Conditions.

All recordings are reviewed before being added to the stream.

What can I say in my message?

Your message should be a genuine act of remembrance for someone who has passed away.

You may simply speak their name, share a short dedication, recall a memory, say a few words about them, read an original piece of writing, or perform a short song.

The maximum duration is 30 seconds.

All recordings are subject to review and must comply with the Project Nomen Terms & Conditions.

Can I upload more than one message?

Yes.

You may submit more than one recording, whether in memory of different people or to share different memories of the same person.

Each recording must be submitted separately and comply with the Project Nomen Terms & Conditions.

Can I mention more than one person in my message?

Yes, provided the recording remains within the 30-second limit and is genuinely intended as a remembrance.

However, we encourage contributors to give each person their own moment whenever possible.

Do I have to say the person's full name?

No.

You may use a first name, a full name, a nickname, or simply speak about the person in your own way.

The important thing is that the recording is a genuine act of remembrance.

Does the person have to be deceased?

Yes.

Project Nomen is specifically dedicated to the remembrance of people who have passed away. Recordings submitted to the project should honour the memory of a deceased person.

How long can my recording be?

The maximum duration is 30 seconds.

Can I submit a recording in another language?

Yes. Project Nomen welcomes remembrance in different languages.

However, all recordings must be suitable for review and moderation. Recordings consisting primarily of gibberish, codes or intentionally unintelligible content will not be accepted.

Can I submit someone else's voice?

Only if you have their permission or otherwise have the legal right to submit and share the recording.

By submitting a recording, you confirm that you have the necessary rights and permissions to do so.

Can I submit an old recording of someone who has passed away?

Yes, provided you have the legal right and appropriate permission to submit the recording.

The recording must also comply with the Project Nomen Terms & Conditions.

Will every submitted recording be accepted?

No.

All recordings are reviewed before being included in Project Nomen.

A recording may be rejected or removed if it does not comply with the Terms & Conditions or the purpose and spirit of the project.

Project Nomen reserves the right to remove recordings at any time, including recordings that may previously have been accepted.

Can I take down a recording I've uploaded?

Yes.

If you submitted a recording and later wish for it to be removed, you can contact Project Nomen and request its removal.

Once a valid request has been processed, the recording will be removed from the active stream.

When will the first messages be released?

Project Nomen is currently collecting its first recordings.

The first public stream will be launched once the project has collected and approved its first 100 messages.

Until then, submitted recordings will be held and reviewed as part of the project's initial collection.

How often is my message played?

Accepted recordings become part of Project Nomen's continuous stream.

The exact frequency with which an individual recording is played will depend on the number of recordings in the collection.

As the project grows, individual messages may be heard less frequently, but they will remain part of the active stream for as long as Project Nomen continues to operate.

Will the stream of names be played on social media?

Project Nomen's primary purpose is to create a dedicated place for remembrance.

Selected aspects of the project may occasionally be shared through Project Nomen's official channels to raise awareness and encourage participation. Individual recordings will not be shared separately on social media without appropriate permission.

Why are recordings reviewed?

Project Nomen is intended to remain a respectful place of remembrance.

Reviewing recordings helps ensure that submissions comply with the project's guidelines and protects the integrity of the memorial for everyone who participates.

Can Project Nomen remove a recording after accepting it?

Yes.

Project Nomen reserves the right to review and remove recordings at any stage if they are found to breach the Terms & Conditions or no longer comply with the purpose and principles of the project.

Do you guarantee that my recording will be preserved forever?

No — and we want to be honest about that.

Project Nomen is intended to be a long-term initiative, but we cannot guarantee permanence indefinitely.

Accepted recordings will remain part of the project for as long as Project Nomen continues to operate and the recording remains compliant with our Terms & Conditions.

What happens if Project Nomen eventually stops operating?

Project Nomen is intended as a long-term project, but no individual or organisation can honestly guarantee permanence.

We therefore do not promise that recordings will exist forever.

Our commitment is to maintain and preserve the project responsibly for as long as Project Nomen continues to operate.

If there are ever significant changes to the operation of the project, we will aim to communicate them clearly and responsibly.

What is the Tree of Names?

The Tree of Names is the envisioned physical embodiment of Project Nomen.

It will be a monumental bronze sculpture of a tree standing alone on a hill — a permanent place of remembrance.

From within a hollow in its trunk, recordings from Project Nomen will be played, allowing visitors to hear the names and voices of people remembered by the project.

The Tree represents our roots, our families, our heritage and the people who came before us.

Is the Tree of Names going to be built for real?

That is the ambition.

The Tree of Names is a genuine long-term vision of Project Nomen rather than simply a digital concept or fictional artwork.

However, it does not exist yet.

Before construction can begin, Project Nomen must identify a suitable location, obtain the necessary permissions and secure sufficient funding to bring the monument to life.

We believe that one day it can become a real place where remembrance takes physical form.

Where will the Tree of Names be built?

The location has not yet been decided.

Project Nomen is still at an early stage, and identifying the right location will be an important part of the project's future development.

Our vision is for the Tree to stand in a peaceful and accessible natural setting — a place where people can visit, listen and remember.

When a location is identified, information will be shared publicly through Project Nomen.

Will people be able to visit the Tree of Names?

Yes — that is the vision.

The Tree of Names is intended to be a physical place open to everyone: a place to visit, reflect, listen and remember.

Will the recordings played at the Tree be different from those online?

No. The Tree of Names is intended to be the physical continuation of Project Nomen.

The voices and names heard from within the Tree will come from the Project Nomen collection, connecting the digital memorial with its future physical home.