Durability and care

How Long Do Headstone QR Codes Last?

MemorialPics headstone QR plaques are fired porcelain and guaranteed not to fade. Porcelain memorial portraits have been used on headstones for more than a century. Fading is only one durability concern: dirt, impact, mounting, and the availability of the published memorial can also affect a scan. Check the plaque and its link periodically.

By MemorialPics LLC · Updated October 5, 2026

Illustrative plaque on an outdoor granite marker — Conceptual outdoor setting; this is not a product photograph or a lifespan test.

Key takeaways

MemorialPics fired porcelain QR plaques are guaranteed not to fade.
Historical porcelain memorial portraits show the material's long outdoor tradition.
Mounting, physical damage, and online availability are separate concerns.

Why fired porcelain resists fading

Our QR plaques are fired porcelain, and MemorialPics guarantees them against fading. Porcelain memorial portraits have been placed on headstones for more than a century. That long tradition helps explain the choice of material; it is not a promise that every part of a modern installation or its online destination will last 100 years.

Sunlight fading should be distinguished from dirt, chips, abrasion, or a mounting problem. Those issues can affect scanning even when the porcelain image has not faded.

A readable plaque also needs a working destination

Even a clear code cannot display a memorial if the phone lacks internet access or the destination is unavailable. With MemorialPics, a plaque needs to be activated and connected to a published memorial. Save the memorial's share link with family records and test the physical plaque from time to time.

Simple checks over time

Scan the code during occasional visits and confirm it opens the intended page. Look for dirt, chips, lifting, or glare that interferes with scanning. Follow the plaque's care instructions and contact support if the link or hardware no longer works as expected.

Test on more than one phone if a scan fails.
Check whether the memorial remains published.
Keep your order and product documentation for support or warranty questions.

Common questions

Will a MemorialPics QR code fade in sunlight?: No. Our fired porcelain QR plaque is guaranteed not to fade. Keep it clear of dirt and check for physical damage or mounting problems that could interfere with scanning.
How many years will the plaque last?: Fired porcelain memorial portraits have been used on headstones for over 100 years. That history does not set a fixed lifespan for a modern plaque's mounting or the online service. The MemorialPics guarantee specifically addresses fading.
Can weather stop a code from scanning?: Dirt, moisture, glare, or physical damage can make a code hard to read. Clean it only as the product directions allow and try scanning again.
What if the linked page stops opening?: Check your connection and memorial publication status, then contact MemorialPics support if the problem continues.
Can a damaged plaque be replaced?: Contact support with your product details to learn the current replacement and warranty options.