These QR Code Headstones Give a Virtual Connection to Those Departed
Katie Cordrey — April 9, 2013 — Tech
References: monuments & indiatimes
Scannable QR code headstones are beginning to displace traditional obituaries and memorial halls. In China, where paying respects to ancestors holds more cultural significance than it does in other cultures, QR codes have been added to many of the country's tombstones. They have gained popularity in cities like Shanghai, Shenyang and Fujian.
Once affixed, a quick cell-phone scan of the code provides instant access to virtual ancestral obituaries, which has become very popular amongst the Chinese youth. The move toward QR code headstones isn't limited to China however, which begs the question, could this be a new portal to the virtual economy? Will memorial rituals in the real world, like placing flowers on a grave, be eventually displaced by virtual ones? Only time will tell.
Once affixed, a quick cell-phone scan of the code provides instant access to virtual ancestral obituaries, which has become very popular amongst the Chinese youth. The move toward QR code headstones isn't limited to China however, which begs the question, could this be a new portal to the virtual economy? Will memorial rituals in the real world, like placing flowers on a grave, be eventually displaced by virtual ones? Only time will tell.
Trend Themes
1. QR Code Memorials - The rise of QR code headstones presents an opportunity to create immersive virtual memorial experiences.
2. Virtual Ancestral Obituaries - The popularity of virtual ancestral obituaries indicates a potential disruption in the way people commemorate and remember their departed loved ones.
3. Displacement of Physical Memorial Rituals - The advent of QR code headstones raises the possibility of replacing traditional physical memorial rituals with virtual alternatives.
Industry Implications
1. Funeral Services - Funeral homes and memorial service providers may explore incorporating QR codes and virtual memorial experiences into their offerings to meet evolving preferences.
2. Technology - Technology companies can capitalize on the demand for QR code headstones and virtual memorial platforms by creating innovative solutions to enhance the virtual memorial experience.
3. Tourism and Travel - With the increasing popularity of QR code headstones, travel agencies and tour operators might consider offering experiences to visit virtual memorial sites, catering to the growing interest in digital remembrance.
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