Wifi-enabled Headstones
Posted on March 12th, 2007 in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Not exactly, but a mortuary director in Northern Ireland has launched a service to broadcast funerals on its Web site for mourners too distant, ill or busy to make it in person. The family-owned firm, founded in 1918 by Clarke’s grandfather, began experimenting with streaming audio and video of funeral services two years ago at its other mortuary and chapel in another nearby suburb, Bangor. About 20 percent of the company’s clients use the Web broadcast, or about 50 funerals so far at the two chapels beside the mortuaries. It carries no additional charge.
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With books like the “High Cost of Dying� and television news reports exposing the huge price mark- ups of the funeral industry, many consumers have learned that a little comparison shopping for caskets and headstones may save them hundreds to thousands of dollars when planning a funeral.
While doing some simple price checking on the Internet, I was given a quote for a granite and bronze grave marker from Monumentsinstone.com that was a third of the price that my local funeral home had quoted me.
By law, all cemeteries must accept a headstone purchased from an outside source. They may, however, have some regulations on the size, style and color of the stone. Luckily, MonumentsInStone got me a written confirmation that the memorial they created would meet my local cemetery’s requirements.
Remember to factor in permit and applications costs. All outside markers will probably require a fee for instillation and foundation.
Consumers must contact their cemetery about their rules and regulations before purchasing a headstone. This will save you any costly mistakes.
Please ask your cemetery the following questions and then get their regulations in writing:
1) Size: Is there a minimum and/or maximum restriction on the dimensions of the stone?
2) Type: What types of memorial headstone are allowed – Upright monuments, flat plaques, beveled markers, infant memorials, double internment or companions stones?
3) Vases: Are vases permitted ones inside the cemetery?
4) Stone Color: Are there any granite and/or bronze color restrictions?
5) Delivery & Installation: What are the procedures for delivery and installation of the memorial headstone? Is a fee levied for installation?
Remember your rights. If the cemetery pressures you into buying a headstone from their expensive stock, you can take action with your local, government consumer agency.