A new trend of using barcode technology on headstones is changing the way people remember and honour their loved ones who have passed away. By scanning a QR code on a grave marker, visitors can access an online biography of the deceased person, with photos, videos, and tributes from family and friends.
The origin of the idea
The idea of using QR codes on headstones was first introduced by a funeral director in Poole, Dorset, in 2012. He was inspired by his visit to the Kremlin Wall necropolis in Moscow, where he learned about the lives of the people buried there. He wanted to offer a similar service to his clients, who could create and update their own web pages for their loved ones.
Since then, the concept has spread to other countries, including Slovenia, where a historic cemetery in Maribor installed the first digital tombstone in 2017. The 48-inch interactive screen shows the digital content only when someone stands in front of it, saving energy and blending in with the surroundings.
The benefits of the technology
The QR codes on headstones provide a number of benefits for both the bereaved and the curious. For the bereaved, they offer a way to preserve and share the memories of their loved ones, and to add new information and messages over time. They can also connect with other people who have lost someone, and receive support and comfort.
For the curious, they offer a way to learn more about the people who have lived before them, and to appreciate their stories and achievements. They can also contribute to the online biographies, by leaving comments or uploading their own photos and videos.
The challenges and limitations of the technology
The QR codes on headstones also pose some challenges and limitations for the users and the providers. For the users, they need to have a smartphone and a QR code reader app to access the digital content. They also need to have internet access, which may not be available in some remote areas or countries. Moreover, they need to be respectful of the privacy and wishes of the families who have created the online biographies, and not misuse or abuse the information.
For the providers, they need to ensure the quality and security of the digital content, and protect it from vandalism, hacking, or deletion. They also need to comply with the laws and regulations of the countries where they operate, and respect the cultural and religious norms of the communities they serve. Furthermore, they need to consider the ethical and moral implications of the technology, and how it affects the way people cope with death and grief.
The future of the technology
The QR codes on headstones are part of a larger trend of using digital technology to commemorate and celebrate the dead. Other examples include online memorial platforms, virtual reality experiences, and holographic projections. These technologies aim to provide a more interactive and immersive way of connecting with the departed, and to keep their legacy alive.
However, these technologies also raise some questions and concerns about the impact of digitalisation on the human experience of death and mourning. How will these technologies affect the way people remember and honour the dead? How will they affect the way people deal with the loss and the pain? How will they affect the way people value and cherish life?
These are some of the questions that the users and the providers of the QR codes on headstones and other digital technologies will have to face and answer in the future.
