The concept of barcodes on tombstones and interactivity at the cemetery was considered too far-fetched when Glenn Toothman first traveled to funeral industry conferences 10 years ago. After years of waiting, technological developments have finally allowed Toothman to get to a point of “rebirth” for his Pennsylvania-based company, the Memory Medallion.

Toothman has always been a “frustrated electronic engineer,” and he knew the answer had a technological solution — replace the dash with a high-tech dot that can direct mobile phones to websites and video about the deceased.

A standard Memory Medallion remembrance package costs $US225 ($A245) and includes a barcode medallion for the gravesite, a website of eight photos and 1000-word story and a printed biography. Family members also can record a video about the deceased that plays on smart phones that scan the barcode, called a QR code. The accompanying remembrance website links to online genealogy sources and also can have customised links, such as a personal Facebook page.

Learn more about Memory Medallion on their website – http://www.memorymedallion.com/.

My family better watch out… the techno-geek genealogist in me loves this idea!