High Tech Tombstones

Technology continues to influence all aspects of a person’s life and even thereafter as new types of technology-enhanced grave markers are gaining in popularity.

Accordingly, it is becoming more important for a person to specify their desires ahead of time.  In some states, this process is relatively easy because of statutory provisions which provide a method for a person to mandate body desposition desires.

Even without such a statute, a conditional gift to the person who would otherwise make arrangements (e.g., a spouse or child) might be effective — the beneficiary would be required to comply with the decedent’s instructions or else risk losing a significant testamentary gift.

In Jeff Zaslow, Having a Say in Your Epitaph: The Challenge of High-Tech Tombstones, W.S.J., April 7, 2005, at D1, the following types of grave markers are discussed:

• Tombstone including audio-taped message from the deceased.
• Grave maker with laser-etched pictures (e.g., the decedent, his/her car, pet animal, etc.).
• Flat screen monitor installed in the tombstone with computer chip memory to play video/audio messages.
• Engraved messages which may not have been to the decedent’s liking.

Special thanks to Jeffery Walsh for bringing this article to my attention.