Munich’s QR Codes on Graves Mystery Solved at Last
A QR code mystery that has stumped the citizens and police of Munich, Germany, since December 2024 has finally been solved.
During the last month of the year, visitors to the Waldfriedhof, Sendlinger Friedhof, and Friedhof Solln cemeteries noticed QR code stickers on certain headstones.
Despite being discretely placed and measuring 5 x 3.5 centimeters (1.95 x 1.2 inches), the stickers made using an advanced QR code generator were still quite noticeable to those visiting their loved ones.
When scanned, the headstone QR codes revealed the names of the departed buried underneath as well as their location.
Before “QR codes on graves mystery solved" stories broke out, over 1,000 QR codes were found across all three cemeteries.
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Codes for the dearly departed baffle the public no more
For months, social media users speculated on what the QR code stickers could be for. Many claimed that it was part of a marketing stunt, while others assumed it was a statement made by a techy advocate or artist.
There were also rumors that the QR code graveyard stickers had something to do with right-wing propaganda. This was due to an incident in 2004 where stickers paying tribute to Rudolf Hess, a Nazi official and Hitler’s deputy, were found in a Jewish cemetery in Bochum, Germany.
However, due to the information that can be accessed from Munich’s QR codes, there appeared to be no link to the religion or ethnicity of the departed.
Management made efforts to remove the QR code stickers and labels on the graves, but they proved too costly over time.
Some gravestones had also suffered damage and discoloration due to previous mystery QR code sticker removals. Due to the large number of stickers, repairs were estimated to cost around €500,000 (approximately ₹4.5 crore).
This prompted the police to search for the culprits and investigate the damage to the property. Witnesses were also urged to come forward should they have information.
After weeks of investigations, the baffling mystery was finally solved. According to police investigations, the people behind the QR code stickers were the employees of a local gardening company hired to maintain the grounds.
The how and why of these grave QR codes
The name of this gardening business was not made public. However, its senior manager, Alfred Zanker, explained the purpose of these QR codes.
The company had been tasked with cleaning and maintaining the cemetery's graves. According to Zanker, the maintenance process involves dismantling and transporting the headstones to their facilities. There, any stains are sanded down before returning the stone to its rightful place.
To keep everything organized, the QR codes on graves mystery solved everything for them by indicating which headstones had already undergone maintenance.
In his statement to Munich newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, Zanker said, "We are a large company. Everything has to happen in an orderly manner."
Keeping the peace with good QR code practice
While the QR codes were not intended for marketing or propaganda, they still sparked curiosity, concern, and speculation. Furthermore, the damage caused by improper sticker removal cost the cemeteries thousands of euros.
Considering this, there are ways to incorporate QR codes for gravestones without these repercussions.
One of the main issues with the company’s QR code implementation is the lack of identification.
Because cemetery managers were unable to determine who placed the QR codes, they were not able to contact anyone for any clarifications. This lack of communication may have also resulted in the improper removal of QR code stickers.
To make a QR code easily identifiable, consider brand awareness and include a logo in the center of the code.
Another way to use QR codes without damaging the headstones is to etch them on metal plates, which the three cemeteries are unfamiliar with.
While they may be more expensive, this method is already an accepted practice and will not worry visitors or cemetery management.
QR codes on graves mystery solved: What we can learn from the aftermath
The use of these QR codes was a genius move by the gardening business. It streamlined the maintenance process, making their employees’ jobs smoother and faster.
The way these QR codes were used also highlights their versatility and significance. While they only provided scanners with the name of the deceased and the location of the grave (details that are already obtainable), instant access to this information makes all the difference in the world.
Mistakes could have easily been made if it wasn’t for the QR codes. A headstone that has already undergone maintenance may be put through the process again, wasting time and potentially damaging the stone.
Lastly, with the QR codes on graves mystery solved the events in Munich demonstrated the consequences of a non-ideal use of QR codes. The incorporation of QR codes was a sound idea, but not properly communicating their use and accidentally keeping them anonymous cost their clients thousands of euros and led to a police investigation.
Real-life applications of QR codes like this can teach a lot. As demonstrated by these gravestone QR codes, the use of these 2D barcodes has many positive outcomes, but mistakes can also occur.
While these mistakes can lead to avoidable consequences, QR codes will remain an effective tool in almost every industry with good implementation and practice.
