How does the epitaph help to introduce the theme of "The Unknown Citizen"?

The epitaph of W.H. Auden's "The Unknown Citizen"
reads

(To
JS/07/M/378 This Marble Monument is Erected by the
State)

First of all, we know
that this line is part of the poem because it rhymes ("8" rhymes with "State").  It,
therefore, serves as an important introduction to the ideas in the poem itself.  The
poem is a satirical eulogy of a citizen who is praised because of his mediocrity and his
compliance.  In his life, he had done what was expected of him; he made no waves,
ruffled no feathers, rocked no boats.  Because he received "no official complaint,"
"worked in a factory," "satisified his employers," paid his union dues," held "the
proper opinions," he is considered a saint.

The epitaph
begins with a number, not a name.  In his compliance, the "Unknown Citizen" has no
identity.  He is merely a statistic.   We also learn in the epitaph that the monument
was "erected by the State."  His family, friends, and even his employers are not
involved in this commemoration. This anonymous beauracrat is what the State considers a
hero, deserving a monument.  Perhaps Auden is showing us that those who seem to draw the
most respect in a beauracratic society are those who do nothing to stand out from the
rest.