Use of QR Codes on Gravestones

The QR code on gravestones does not in itself represent a new discovery, as it has been used on graves abroad for several years. However, it is interesting for their company, as it represents a novelty on the Slovenian market. The author in the diploma thesis therefore wanted to primarily present this possibility to the Slovenian public, whilst also determining whether the use of QR codes on gravestones represents potential for expanding the offer, increasing revenue and company recognition. The author in the thesis calculated, with the help of cost price calculation, what the minimum price should be at which they could offer the production of a QR code on a gravestone on the market, and then, with the help of a survey, determined how much customers would be willing to pay for it, thereby confirming the established hypothesis.

Problem

The QR code on gravestones does not in itself represent a new discovery, as it has been used on graves abroad for several years. However, it is interesting for their company, as it represents a novelty on the Slovenian market.

Results

The author in the diploma thesis therefore wanted to primarily present this possibility to the Slovenian public, whilst also determining whether the use of QR codes on gravestones represents potential for expanding the offer, increasing revenue and company recognition. The author in the thesis calculated, with the help of cost price calculation, what the minimum price should be at which they could offer the production of a QR code on a gravestone on the market, and then, with the help of a survey, determined how much customers would be willing to pay for it, thereby confirming the established hypothesis.

Amongst the findings of the thesis, we can note the fact that people must first accept the QR code like any novelty and become accustomed to its use, which will require both persistent marketing and, of course, time during which users will learn what it enables and offers them. From my own business experience, I find that this does not happen overnight, but rather requires time, a good offer, and a quality-made QR code. All of the above successfully convinces the customer, and we are aware that a satisfied customer is our best advertisement.

All those who have not yet encountered a QR code on a gravestone naturally cannot imagine what it enables us, how it works and how it is used. They found that people are accustomed to traditional inscriptions on gravestones and, as they say, 'old habits die hard'. Therefore, they intend to present the new possibility to new customers.

When they learn what the possibilities are and what the scope of information is that we can convey with the help of a QR code to all who visit graves, we believe that demand will also grow. Since people today communicate extensively via social networks, we can also assume that current and future generations will also readily turn to the QR code when faced with loss and remembrance of the deceased. We can also say that a monument equipped with the addition of a QR code no longer exists only in physical form, but acquires and moves into digital form.

With it, private content becomes accessible to the public, which means that their classic cemetery becomes a virtual cemetery. The classic gravestone thus becomes digital. At the same time, the question also arises whether and to what extent a QR code installed on a gravestone breaks down the boundary of privacy upon the loss of a loved one?

The answer is at least partially affirmative, as with its use, mourning becomes accessible to the public. Data and images of the person who is buried become publicly accessible. There is no longer classic mourning in silence isolated from others.

Certain people like this, whilst others do not. This aspect of loss of privacy must also be taken into account when we install a QR code on a gravestone. We people carry within us a certain learned and acquired culture of behaviour and conduct. Even in cemeteries, people are accustomed to and adhere to a certain valid culture of behaviour, so it may happen that the use of QR codes in cemeteries and on graves would be morally questionable for some. With the use of QR codes, the boundary of discretion in the cemetery is broken down.

People might be disturbed by the newly created noise in the cemetery due to the use of QR codes, so this will need to be taken into account and adapted to the surroundings, and used discreetly. Viewed from the business perspective of the company, they found that the introduction of an offer of QR codes on gravestones would mean an additional source of earnings or revenue for the company, whilst at the same time our recognition in the market would also increase, as we would be the first to offer this service. Already now, when the company produces and erects a gravestone, we also mark it in a discreet place with the company's advertising sticker.

This sticker serves primarily as advertising, and secondly it serves the living relatives as information about who erected the monument. In the event of repair or completion, relatives thus have the data immediately at hand. There is also the possibility of using their company's QR code on the advertising sticker, as it also makes sense here to keep pace with the times.

In the research part, they found that there is also potential or people's interest in the new offer in our country, as almost half of the respondents answered that they would use a QR code on a gravestone. Amongst them, most are in the age group between 21 and 40 years (more than 25%). This generation is followed, with slightly less than 15%, by the generation aged between 41 and 60 years.

We believe that both age groups represent potential, as this is the working-active part of the population that is capable of spending the most and has the means as well as technical knowledge. They also found that the recognition of their company in the market would increase with this service, as almost half of the surveyed persons answered affirmatively to the question of whether they would recommend their company onwards. We must also take into account the fact that only a customer who is satisfied with the service recommends it onwards, so it will be necessary to build on quality and a good price.

We can conclude that the QR code on gravestones will not represent the leading service in sales and profitability of the company, but it can represent an additional offer and added value to existing classic inscriptions on gravestones. It is not to be expected that the classic inscription would lose its validity and use due to the introduction of the QR code, but the fact is that the QR code provides much more information in a small space than a classic inscription. The purpose of the diploma thesis was to determine, by comparing the cost and selling price of QR codes on monuments, whether there is so-called effective or purchasing-power-supported demand.

In the analysis of responses to the survey question dealing with price, they found that interested parties are actually willing to pay more for the production of a QR code than its cost price, so we find that there is actually potential for this product on the market. Moreover, with different methods of implementing the QR code and consequently different selling prices, the customer can choose the one that is financially or cost-wise accessible and acceptable to them. Based on the research findings and analysis of survey questionnaire responses and comparison with price calculation, we can confirm both hypotheses set out in the introduction of the diploma thesis, namely: – the introduction of QR codes on gravestones actually represents potential for increasing revenue from the sale of their products, and – with the introduction of a new product, the recognition of their company in the market would also increase.