Skeletal remains are the bones, clothes, and other items of a long-perished person. Skeletal remains are often used in worldbuilding to highlight the danger of an area or provide clues about a nearby trap or dangerous animal. Skeletal remains may be the remains of a previous expedition, explorer, adventurer, or other person. They may have important notes or other useful items on them.

In fantasy worlds skeletal remains may be living skeletons that may be angry their stuff is being taken.