Digital tombstone fails to catch on

A few years ago, a company thought they'd hit upon an ingenious enhancement for modern cemeteries -- namely, a tombstone with an embedded video screen. The idea was that visitors to your grave-site could watch a slideshow of images, all while listening to accompanying audio (accessible via a handy headphone jack) -- like a giant, morbid iPod. You would think an idea as modern and tasteful as this one would have caught on, but apparently after years of work, maker Vidstone LLC is still not seeing the numbers. "I haven't sold any," said Doug Ellis of Riverview Monuments in Wisconsin -- a sentiment not uncommon amongst dealers. Cheri Lucking, Vidstone's national sales director says, "We don't release our sales figures," adding, "It is not a huge number at the moment." We're wondering what our forward thinking, gadget-obsessed Engadget readers think... would you drop the $2,000 for a "Serenity Panel?"

[Thanks, Lenman1]

[Airik @ Dec 10th 2007 7:35PM]

Why not... I'd be dead!

[Chuckles McGee @ Dec 10th 2007 8:31PM]

You'd think people would be dying to get them...

[Zach @ Dec 10th 2007 9:41PM]

I'd kill for one of these really

[Flashpoint @ Dec 10th 2007 9:44PM]

Tasha Yar had one of these after she got killed in that one Star Trek episode.

[IndiaTech @ Dec 10th 2007 10:13PM]

@Flash
Yep... Remember that one. Can't forget the horny look on Data's face...

[Evan @ Dec 11th 2007 12:46AM]

i wouldn't be caught dead with one of those things

[Wii60 @ Dec 11th 2007 1:24AM]

Since they seem to be going out of business, its a dead issue.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Dec 11th 2007 6:07PM]

John Carmack should have one of these on his DoombStone.

[peteyH @ Dec 10th 2007 7:37PM]

It's not a tasteless idea; in fact, it has some merit. However, the implementation is just terrible. It looks like someone scotch-taped a panel to a tombstone. I'm sure that in the distant future, there will be some crazy photovoltaic cement doodad that is integrated in the tombstone itself. Perhaps touching the tombstone will activate some kind of display on a seamlessly integrated screen. However, the cumbersome nonsense shown in the pic above is just completely unappealing because it destroys the aesthetics of a tombstone (yes, a tombstone has some asthetic value).

[BigDaddyM @ Dec 10th 2007 8:21PM]

In all honesty, I also agree that this is not a bad idea, but it does cost way too much and looks horrible.
M

[Resolaur @ Dec 11th 2007 3:35PM]

I would suggest a holographic display. That would be sure to freak some ghost-believing folks out! LOL!

[Matthew Hilario @ Dec 10th 2007 7:38PM]

uh oh me cut hole too big.

[eugene @ Dec 10th 2007 7:41PM]

Kids, lets all go to the cemetary and watch the iTomb, don't forget to bring your headphones...

[Blackstar @ Dec 11th 2007 11:10PM]

Apple Legal Department order you to cease and desist any and all references to the Apple iTomb™. Visit www.apple.com/iTomb for more information. Apple™® and iTomb™® are both register trademarks of Apple Corporation. ©2007- All of Eternity. All souls reserved.

Check out the new line of iTombs™ in Blueberry, Lime, Strawberry and LSD Induced Swirl! Wireless iTomb (802.11g/n/x/p/q) headphones are extra. **Batteries are not a user replaceable item. ***Family iTomb charging dock is a special order item, not available at the iTomb™ Store.

[Boscorooty @ Dec 10th 2007 7:42PM]

The only way I'd buy a serenity panel is if it actually showed the movie, Serenity.

[Matt @ Dec 10th 2007 9:05PM]

When I first saw the picture I thought "hmm, that reminds me of the tombstones for Wash and Book", then I saw the name "Serenity Panel" and laughed.

[fischju @ Dec 10th 2007 9:34PM]

Whoa, hold your horses. That movie is copyrighted, and I'll be damned if the MPAA doesn't try to sue your dead ass!

[ethana2 @ Dec 10th 2007 10:49PM]

And if you can't pay up, they repossess your serenity panel or sue the nearest single mother...

Hide your receipts or they'll take your embalming procedure back for being defective in their efforts to get your money.

[3rdsun @ Dec 11th 2007 4:16AM]

I love that movie. The wild wild west of space and they had one of those video tombstones.

[robothouse @ Dec 10th 2007 7:46PM]

I'm sorry, I just cant stomach this shit. This is just plain out creepy!

[JuggleNuts @ Dec 10th 2007 7:48PM]

Is there any restriction on what your video can be? I'd have a video of me mooning the camera. Why not get a laugh off my dead ass? Get it?! :)

[Bryan Thornsberry @ Dec 10th 2007 8:30PM]

and with this comes rise to a brand new acronym used SOULLY (ha) for the iStone...

RUGLMFAO

it'll get you mad "pathway cred" among your eternally resting neighbors...

[Max Goedjen @ Dec 10th 2007 7:49PM]

I'll have one of these on my grave over my dead body. Wait...

[Jason Cox @ Dec 10th 2007 7:50PM]

Listen, no one is putting a computer on my grave unless I can be reanimated so I can come back and browse the internet from beyond!

[MEAT! @ Dec 10th 2007 10:06PM]

Internet browsing zombies with a predilection for the grave? You wouldn't have to go to such lengths; you could just visit a Korean internet cafe.

[imacmatt09 @ Dec 10th 2007 7:51PM]

Couldn't someone just steal the display?

[imacmatt09 @ Dec 10th 2007 7:51PM]

Couldn't someone just steal the display?

[imacmatt09 @ Dec 10th 2007 7:52PM]

What the hell? I only pressed submit once! Please delete!

[zwilnik @ Dec 10th 2007 7:55PM]

Actually, it doesn't look that different from the Colossal MP3 player in your earlier report :)

[unkone @ Dec 10th 2007 7:59PM]

Im having a 42" Weather-Sealed Plasma for my headstone.

[Richard @ Dec 10th 2007 8:03PM]

I'd purchase one if I knew it would play hardcore porn while I'm in the grave. I'm already dead... might as well piss a few people off.

[dkffiv @ Dec 11th 2007 10:30AM]

At least you'll know the grand kids will visit your final resting place often. Not necessarily your grand kids ...

[roger_huston @ Dec 10th 2007 8:04PM]

Well, I have some questions?

Does this thing come with a lifetime warranty? After all, I am going to be dead a LOT longer than I was alive.

What if it breaks, how do I get it fixed? Who do I have to "call" or "haunt" to get it repaired? Do they have an after life hot line?

Last question. Can I get a PMP built into the display too? I mean if my family has dragged their butts out to seem my dead ass, at least the kids could plug in and have some fun. Install Zaxxon on mine, I hit over 602k on that game back in the day.

- Roger

[jere @ Dec 11th 2007 6:56PM]

I'm pretty sure you'll need more than a "lifetime" warranty.

[lolec @ Dec 10th 2007 8:06PM]

i cant wait to see the first chinese knockoff

[Zhalfim Deyn @ Dec 10th 2007 8:09PM]

this brings to mind the words, "change the channel..."

[sepirioth @ Dec 10th 2007 8:12PM]

A new 42 inch 1080p lcd for home or a low res, probably breaks or gets stolen lcd on a loved ones tomb... what do you THINK i'd do :)

[roole @ Dec 10th 2007 8:13PM]

Unless it uses solar/wind power, will the batteries last?

[Matt @ Dec 10th 2007 9:13PM]

You obviously didn't read the article, it is solar powered.

[Graham @ Dec 10th 2007 8:13PM]

YES! SWEET! So what would I have on there?

Either...

Live feed from inside my coffin!
or
Porn! Just hardcore, crazy porn!

[Prokanda @ Dec 10th 2007 8:20PM]

Awesome.... on both counts. I kinda wanna watch you decay... is there maybe, a widget I can find? Can I stream this to my Voyager? Is there an RSS feed that I can get with De-cay-tails? =)

[The Grim Peeper @ Dec 10th 2007 9:48PM]

How's about some hardcore crazy porn live from inside your coffin..

Boosh!

[shaun @ Dec 10th 2007 8:17PM]

Imagine seeing the BSOD on that thing

[Emmanuel Acevedo @ Dec 10th 2007 8:17PM]

I work for a monument company. I came accross these once, cemeteries are really trying to push it (at very high prices), this device looks like a knockoff made in china, probably worth as much as an ipod knockoff. The monument industry is very conservative, they are always afraid of trying new things, and stick to old ways. These type of devices would probably only work in a mausoleum, since the sun would probably eat up (or where I live, melt it) the plastic device in a new york minute. For grave markers, how about implementing e-ink, a solar panel, and hiding the device under the stone, keeping it simple. We use ceramic photographs in memorials, im sure an e-ink display could be put in instead of the ceramic photo, keeping the same look. Heck, maybe even add bluetooth so family members could upload pics. just my 2 cents.

[Michael @ Dec 10th 2007 8:36PM]

I really like that idea. The solar powered, embedded, simple display.

Ooo... why not just get one of those digital picture frames and embed that into the tombstone with a solar panel on top (also embedded into the tombstone)? I'd like that idea. Nice, smooth, good looking, scrolling pictures of the deceased for an eternity. (Or until it breaks.)

I also like one of the other posters ideas of it turning on when someone touches it.

[Ryan Worrell @ Dec 10th 2007 8:27PM]

Great idea....poorly implemented. If it looked nice and came with the whole tombstone for $2000. I would buy it.

[JB @ Dec 10th 2007 8:34PM]

It's a great idea, just not something the baby-boomer generation will be buying for thier parents.

Wait 25 more years, this will be commonplace. (and yes, probably incorporate most of your above ideas)

[Justin Gehring @ Dec 10th 2007 8:34PM]

Why not take it a step further:

1) Embed it in the stone.
2) Have it come with a EKG to prove you are in fact still dead (which hooks up to your biometric reading coffin.
3) Solar power (which since your tombstone needed it in #2 anyway, just tap the same power source)
4) I like the live feeds... So it should come with a lifetime data plan.
5) does the thing come with 1080p? I want to be able to show the "big game" on sundays for my brother's in law that are dragged by by their wives to see me.
6) and as always.. lower the price.

[murray @ Dec 10th 2007 8:43PM]

This is a horrible idea. It's tacky. We generally want to treat death with as much class as possible. This is pure cheese. I wouldn't get this for a grave no matter how well it was made. (And in this case, it's not made well, at least aesthetically.)

[Seether @ Dec 10th 2007 11:20PM]

Oh you're so boring... the hell with respect... they are DEAD! Have fun at their expense, and my expense when I die lol. Show a live feed of me rotting away is the most genius idea ever!! Though I'm actually getting cremated so there blows that one lol.