Speaking tombstones

Robert Barrows, from California, is patenting video-equipped tombstones to let mourners watch messages from the dead.

The headstone would be fitted with a flat LCD touch screen and a computer with a hard disc or microchip memory that allows the deceased to speak through a video message. To avoid a grave's soundtrack clashing with the one next door, visitors could also listen through wireless headphones.

The idea is that people would leave a parting video with their lawyer when making out their will.

Gary Collison, from Pennsylvania University, believes the concept can make sense: "Cemeteries are places where people try to outdo each other, display their wealth and power. This would certainly be a new way to do that," he says.

From New Scientist.