Reuters: Japanese tombs link up with cell phones
Bereaved Japanese will be able to keep in touch with their loved ones beyond the grave by using mobile phones to scan bar-coded tombstones and view photos and other information about the deceased. In tech-savvy Japan, the square black-and-white codes are already widely used to load maps on to mobile phones, and are usually printed on business cards or restaurant brochures. Ishinokoe, a Japanese tombstone maker, will place the codes behind lockable stone doors on the tomb so only relatives with a key can scan them. The idea was to create a tomb that would not just be a site for storing the remains of a person, but a place to honor the deceased, the company said in a press release. Using their mobile phone displays, relatives can post and view different items that reflect on the life of their departed loved one, such as holiday snapshots...The stones will go on sale next month and cost around 1 million yen...But those who neglect their filial obligations should be warned -- the code will also allow other relatives to see a list of people who have recently visited the grave.
