Gone But Not Forgotten

QR Codes on headstones

Technological advances benefit virtually every form of business, so it should come as no surprise that QR codes are becoming a part a staple in the mortuary industry.

QR codes can be used for a variety of things (and for anyone who doesn’t know, they’re the scanable, pixelated, black and white squares that can be found on all types of products). In the funeral home industry, they have a multitude of uses.

Memorialization: A QR code can be used to directly link to an online obituary or memorial page. The QR code can allow users to save the obituary to their phones, leave a condolence, or write a message.

Convenience: Sometimes getting to the viewing, funeral home, cemetery, or wake can be tricky, especially for out-of-town visitors. A QR code takes the awkward task of asking the bereaved for directions to any of the venues.

Funeral homes can have the QR code with directions on it right on their website so that it is easy to find.

Advertising: The QR code takes a lot of busy work out of some things. For instance, if you’re sending out direct mail about a holiday memorial service, estate planning seminar, or any other kind of event, the QR code allows for those coming to register directly on the website without sending anything back in that needs to be read, sorted, filed, and entered into the system.

The QR code can also be used in the Yellow Pages. Granted, not everyone is going to know what a QR code is, those who do can be taken directly from the phone book to the site of the funeral home or cemetery.QR Codes on headstones

Don’t forget to use it in all print ads and in emails. It gives customers an easy way to get right to where they need to be.

Things to Remember

Technology changes quickly, so there’s no telling when QR codes will be as obsolete as a VCR. That means don’t offer anything that allows for a QR code to show up on a casket, urn, or headstone.

Whatever you do put your QR code on, make sure that it actually takes users to something of value. Give them directions, give them a good deal, show them what it can do for them. Having a QR code take someone directly to a website’s homepage isn’t going to do much for them; don’t be afraid to show users something they should have or want.

Also, make sure you test your QR code before sending it out to the masses. Even if you’ve tested it once before, test it again. Make sure it’s doing what you need it to do.

At the end of the day, the use of QR codes in the world of funeral homes, cemeteries, and everything else pertaining to death isn’t going to be a game-changer, but it should enhance the services offered.

Dana Rasmussen writes about digital marketing trends.

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