AU2014100069A4 - Holistic Memorials - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A Memorial that comprises a physical object that is readily visible and/or accessible that acts as a focal point and trigger for memories about a deceased person that must be capable of storing, managing and transmitting personal data relating to the deceased to approved people in electronic form using software; including a Memorial Software Bundle that comprises personal data about the deceased person, such as photographs, slideshows, videos and documents created over the deceased's lifetime plus reminiscences about the deceased from friends and family plus links to internet and other favourite sites of the deceased; plus a software computer program to manage the storage and modification of, and access to, the personal data by approved people.

Description

1 Title of Invention - Holistic Memorials Field - Memorials Background [0001] There is a deep human need to remember loved ones who have passed away. The act of remembrance triggers a cascade of both happy and sad memories which help people overcome their grief and sense of loss. [0002] Since the dawn of human history, people who have died have been buried by friends and family via ceremonies that act as a focus for respect, grief and remembrance. Often, objects and trinkets loved by the deceased person have been buried with them. [0003] Over thousands of years, burials have become more sophisticated via the use of communal cemeteries and graves that are marked with headstones that provide summarised details of the deceased. Visiting a marked grave within a cemetery provides a focus for remembering deceased loved ones for many people in the world. [0004] As the world's human population has increased from 2 billion in 1927 to 7 billion in 2012, there has been a move from burial of the whole body to cremation of the body as this has the advantage of using much less precious land area. Often, the cremated ashes of the deceased are scattered over a favourite place and/or placed in a memorial urn. The memorial urn is placed in a prominent position such as a mantle piece to act as a regular reminder of the deceased person. Using a memorial urn is much more convenient than visiting a distant cemetery. As the world's human population continues to increase at a rapid rate to 9 billion people by 2050, great pressure will be placed on increasing cremation instead of burials in cemeteries. There will be in increasing need to abandon burials in cemeteries and replace this with memorials at home.

2 [0005] Over the last few decades, there has been increasing use of internet online memorials. These provide photos associated with the deceased person plus a forum for messages and tributes from loved ones. These online memorials provide very basic information regarding the deceased person and do not provide rapid and convenient access to the physical memorial or urn. [0006] There is a strong desire by many people to have their DNA preserved after death for future generations to potentially have this analysed for genetic traceability relating to family tree and medical conditions. [0007] On line memorials, urns and graves do not provide for DNA storage or the full range of memorabilia that describe the deceased's life such as photos, videos, documents (letters, essays, awards, certificates and written articles) and trinkets.

3 Summary Problem [0008] Memories fade over time and need to be refreshed to be more effective. Most people would like to improve their memories of a deceased loved one by way of increased quantity and quality of memories and ease of access to the memories. [0009] Over time, lifestyles have become busier and more hectic and there is a need to provide better triggers for remembrance and easier access to personal information about the deceased for friends and family. Solution [0010] This patent discloses a novel Memorial system comprising a solid Memorial, electronic computing equipment, the internet, software program and personal data storage that provides a solution to the problems discussed above. [0011]The Memorial is a physical object that acts as a focal point for remembrance and can store the deceased's ashes, mementos, DNA and personal data via a Memorial Software Bundle. [0012] The Memorial Software Bundle comprises personal data in electronic form such as photographs, slideshows, videos, documents, links to internet sites and reminiscences from friends and family plus a software program to manage the storage and modification of, and access to, the personal data by approved people. [0013] This invention is best understood by referring to the attached drawings. Figure 1 shows the Memorial Software Bundle 1 that comprises the software program 2 and the personal data 3.

4 [0014] Figure 2 shows how the novel Memorial system works. A solid Memorial 4 is provided to act as a focal point and trigger for memories about a deceased person. The Memorial is usually small and readily visible such as on a mantelpiece or table. It can be made from any combination of solid, liquid and gas materials. These include solids such as stone products (eg marble and granite), semi-precious minerals (eg jade, malachite and tiger eye), metals (eg gold, silver, copper and stainless steel) and ceramics. [0015] The Memorial 4 can contain hollow spaces to store mementos such as jewellery and/or trinkets and to store DNA from the deceased person. DNA storage items can vary from encapsulated hair, teeth to preserved tissue using techniques that will improve into the future. [0016] The Memorial 4 is capable of storing, managing and transmitting personal data relating to the deceased person to approved people using software via the Memorial Software Bundle 1. The electronic equipment to enable this can be permanently located within the Memorial and/or externally attached to the memorial by way of USB memory storage or similar device. [0017] Figure 2 shows the transmission of personal data via (cable or WIFI) 5, between the solid Memorial 4, (television or monitor) 6, electronic computing equipment 7 and internet cyberspace storage 8. [0018] The electronic computing equipment 7 can include (tablet PCs or IPads) 9, personal computers 10 and smart phones 11. [0019] The Memorial Software Bundle 1 can be stored in the solid Memorial 4 and/or, in the electronic computing equipment 7 and/or in the internet cyberspace storage 8. [0020] Conveniently, access to the Memorial Software Bundle can be provided via Applications on smart phones and/or tablet PCs and/or IPads.

5 Advantageous Effects of Invention [0021] This invention will allow millions of people to refresh their memories of deceased loved ones in an easier, faster and more complete way than is currently available. This will give greater meaning and fulfilment to the lives of these people.

Claims (5)

1. A Memorial that comprises a physical object that is readily visible and/or accessible that acts as a focal point and trigger for memories about a deceased person, said Memorial can be made from any combination of solid, liquid and gas materials and can be any shape, but must be capable of storing, managing and transmitting personal data relating to the deceased to approved people in electronic form using software.

2. The Memorial of Claim 1, wherein a space is provided to store mementos belonging to the deceased person such as jewellery and/or trinkets and/or a space is provided to store the ashes from cremation of the deceased person.

3. The Memorial of Claims 1 and 2, wherein a space is provided to store DNA from the deceased person for subsequent analyses.

4. A Memorial Software Bundle that comprises personal data about the deceased person, such as photographs, slideshows, videos and documents created over the deceased's lifetime plus reminiscences about the deceased from friends and family plus links to internet and other favourite sites of the deceased; plus a software computer program to manage the storage and modification of, and access to, the personal data by approved people.

5. The Memorial of Claims 1, 2, and 3, in combination with the Memorial Software Bundle of Claim 4.