How scanning works

How Do Headstone QR Codes Work?

A headstone QR code stores a web address. A visitor points a phone camera at the code and opens the recognized link in a browser. MemorialPics uses a fired porcelain plaque guaranteed not to fade. The plaque must be activated and linked to a memorial, and that memorial must be published, before visitors can view it.

By MemorialPics LLC · Updated October 5, 2026

Illustrative phone approaching a blank plaque on a headstone — Conceptual scanning scene; the pictured plaque has no working QR code.

Key takeaways

The QR code is a shortcut to a web address.
Activation and publication determine what a visitor sees.
A clear code, camera focus, and internet access all matter.

From camera to memorial page

Open the phone camera and hold it steady so the whole code is visible. Most modern phones recognize it and display a link. Tap that link to open the page in a browser; the visitor does not need a MemorialPics account just to view a published page.

Find the code in good light and avoid glare.
Let the camera focus, then tap the recognized link.
Allow the page to load using mobile data or Wi-Fi.

What happens before activation or publication

A MemorialPics QR address can show an activation or not-available page until the plaque is assigned. After a plaque is linked, the destination memorial still needs to be published. A scan is not a substitute for the owner deciding what to share.

The plaque's address and the memorial's public page address serve different purposes. Test the actual plaque after setup rather than assuming a copied page link proves the plaque works.

If a scan does not open the memorial

First check lighting, camera focus, and connectivity. Then confirm the plaque is activated, connected to the intended memorial, and that the memorial is published. If the plaque is damaged or the destination appears wrong, contact MemorialPics support with the plaque details.

Common questions

Do I need to download an app?: No MemorialPics app is required to view a published memorial. A phone camera and web browser are enough on most modern phones.
Will a QR code work without internet?: A camera may recognize the code offline, but the online memorial needs a connection to load.
What if the camera will not recognize it?: Try better light, clean the plaque gently according to its care directions, and move the phone until the full code is in focus.
What does an unactivated plaque show?: It may lead to an activation flow rather than a memorial. The owner needs to complete setup and publish the intended page.
Can visitors see an unpublished memorial?: No. The memorial owner controls publication; connecting a plaque alone does not publish the page.