Imagine arriving at a cemetery, stopping in front of a headstone, taking your phone out of your pocket, pointing it at a small square code on the grave — and seeing the complete life of the person resting there open on your screen. Childhood photographs. The biography. Memories written by children, grandchildren and friends. An entire life, accessible to anyone who approaches.
This isn't science fiction. This is what the QR code on the gravestone allows today, in a simple and accessible way.
What is a QR code and how does it work on a gravestone
A QR code (Quick Response Code) is a two-dimensional barcode that, when scanned with a phone camera, immediately opens a webpage.
In the context of a grave, the QR code works like this:
- The family creates a digital memorial on Vidalem with photos, biography and memories
- Vidalem automatically generates a unique QR code for that memorial
- The QR code is placed on the headstone — in a weatherproof plaque
- Anyone who visits the cemetery points their phone at the code
- The complete memorial opens instantly on the phone
No special app is needed — the native camera on any modern phone recognises the QR code and opens the link automatically.
What appears when the QR code is scanned
When someone scans the QR code on a Vidalem grave, they immediately see the memorial page, which includes:
- ✓Full name, birth and death dates
- ✓Main photograph of the person
- ✓Biography — who they were, where they were born, what they did, what they loved
- ✓Photo gallery throughout their life
- ✓Memories written by family and friends
- ✓Videos, if the family has added any
- ✓Voice recordings, if they exist
- ✓Statistics: number of visits, countries from which the memorial has been visited
For someone visiting the cemetery — a friend who lost touch, a former work colleague, a neighbour — the memorial is a way to know or remember the person in a much deeper way than a traditional headstone allows.
The Vidalem physical plaques for the gravestone
Vidalem offers three types of physical plaques with QR codes to place on the grave:
Sticker Pack — €9.99
Includes 3 weatherproof vinyl stickers. Ideal for testing the concept or for graves where a metal plaque isn't possible.
Metal Plaque — €29.99
Laser-engraved aluminium plaque. Elegant and discreet design with the ∞ Vidalem symbol. Dimensions: ~8×8cm.
Premium Pack — €59.99
Includes the metal plaque, a premium gift box, and a printed memorial certificate. Ideal to give as a gift to a bereaved family.
The gravestone as a digital meeting point
There is something profoundly meaningful about turning the grave into a digital meeting point — a place where past and present intersect.
When a child who never knew their great-grandparent visits the cemetery with the family, the QR code lets them see who that person was. When an old friend passes through the cemetery decades later, they can leave a message on the memorial. When an emigrant abroad can't visit the grave, they can "visit" digitally.
The headstone is no longer just a marker of the end. It's a window into an entire life.
Frequently asked questions
Does the QR code become unreadable over time?
No. The QR code is laser-engraved on aluminium — not printed on paper. With normal outdoor exposure, the code remains perfectly readable.
What if Vidalem stops existing in 10 years?
Vidalem's mission is permanent memory preservation. In case of any service changes, users would be notified with sufficient time to export their content.
Can I place more than one QR code on the same grave?
Yes. For family graves with multiple members, you can order one plaque per person, or create a family memorial with all members.
Can the QR code be changed after installation?
The QR code always links to the same memorial. The memorial content can be updated at any time — new photos, new memories — without needing to replace the plaque.
Does the plaque withstand rain and sun?
Yes. The metal plaque is anodised aluminium with laser engraving — an industrial method used for permanent outdoor signage.