Visiting cemeteries long has been a quasi-silent experience where memories are quietly conjured in mourners’ minds. But, now, thanks to a start-up company called
My Stone Story, visitors can reverently partake in an audio-visual story of a lost loved one.
The company, owned and operated by Jonathan Heath, of Blanchard, since September 2011, uses QR codes that can be placed with adhesive to the gravestone. When scanned with smart phones, the QR code directs the phone to an online location that can play video, show pictures, or display text.
"When walking through cemeteries, you often wonder what that person was like or what their story was," says Heath, a 27-year-old graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. "After having two close friends die--one of leukemia and one in Iraq--I wanted a way to tell their stories."
Heath works with families closely to include the appropriate data, story, pictures, audio, video and text. Then he puts the story on a web page. Then, he creates the QR code that will allow the family to access the web page. He then mails the code tile to the family along with the adhesive so they can place it where they would like. The tiles are on gravestones throughout Michigan. In fact, one is on a gravestone of a person who died in 1871 and includes his genealogical chart.
"Once the tile is in place, people stopping by the cemetery will use a smartphone to scan the QR code on the tile," Heath says. "QR code readers are free apps for iPhones, Android phones and Blackberry phones. When the tile is scanned with the smartphone, it will direct the web browser on the phone to go straight to the web page created for your loved one.
"People stopping by the headstone will see your loved one’s story. There is a place for the visitor to leave a message for the family and you will receive that message from our office," says Heath.
The idea of a story being available on a web page is not a new one. Funeral homes have been creating such audio-visual memorials for some time. But the idea of being able to access it from the headstone is a concept that Heath hopes catches on quickly.
Mystonestory.com creates the code, and then delivers it to a Mount Pleasant company called Simply Engraving that creates the tile.
"We laser it onto a one-and-a-half-inch square piece of aluminum, and it actually takes just a minute or two," says Michele Ludwig, co-owner of Simply Engraving, which personalizes gifts, trophies and does other engraving work, including the QR codes for
mystonestory.com. "Depending on our schedule, however, average turnaround time can be about a week."
Simply Engraving engraves the tile, but does not handle the adhesive. Heath, who has researched the proper adhesive with headstone companies to make sure it is durable, handles that. Headstones are not the only location on which the tile has been placed. Mystonestory.com provides a memorial picture frame where the tile can be encased, if the family would like the tile to be placed in the home or some other location.
"Families specify the content, and they can put it anywhere they choose," Heath says. "They can pick a simple paragraph or a page full of stories, sayings, photos or videos."
The process is relatively inexpensive. The entire cost, including memorial frame with QR code, the web page and QR coded tile is just $75.
Despite the reasonable price, it has been a difficult sell so far for Heath. Understanding the technology may be the biggest obstacle, he says.
"I don’t think people fully understand the capabilities," he says. "I think once they do, it will become a popular way to remember loved ones."
Heath has been working with associate Rob Wheeler to spread the word and is confident understanding soon will catch up with capability. Potential customers are getting more creative in their ideas.
"People could even record their own video before they die and have it on the website, accessible from a QR code on the headstone," he says.
It isn’t exactly bringing a loved one back to life, Heath says, but it is a clear advantage over abstract memories of what a loved one looked and sounded like in life.
"Obviously, we are a little ahead of what the average customer knows," Heath says. "But as time passes, we are confident that people will get a better understanding of what our service can offer and get a good appreciation of what it can do to help remember their loved ones."
"So far, the feedback from the families has been very positive. It’s just a matter of getting people to understand what this service is all about. Once they see, visit the website, get a feel for what we offer, I think things will pick up," Heath says.
Jeff Barr is a freelance writer who has lived in Michigan for 45 years. He has covered every part of the state, including the Bay area. You can reach Jeff by email.
photos by - Avram Golden