A Video-Enhanced Grave Marker (VEGM) is a Western-style tombstone equipped with weatherproofed video playback that can be initiated by remote control.
The VEGM, invented by Robert Barrows of San Mateo, California, would allow its owner to record messages or have the deceased family leave messages to be played to any visitor to the site with a remote control. The stones would be equipped with weatherproofed video playback devices plus computer storage and a monitor placed within a weather-proofed, hollowed-out headstone. It could also utilize coded card swiping devices like the technology used for hotel room card keys or it can operate on a credit card or coin activated device.