Frequently asked

Common questions.

If yours isn't here, please ring us. We'd rather have the conversation than write a longer page.

01

The beginning

How do I start?

Begin their story — a short form, four pages. We'll ring within a day, at whatever time you say. Nothing is committed until you say so.

Do we have to have already lost them?

No. Some families begin a Qbituary while their person is still alive — gathering photographs, recording voice, writing chapters together. We hold the page in draft as long as you need.

Can I commission a Qbituary for someone else's loss?

Yes. We handle it gently — the recipient sees no payment, only the gesture. Ring us first so we can think it through with you.

02

Time & pace

How long does it take?

About six weeks, from first call to the Q-Box arriving. Two of those are at your pace — we never rush a grieving family. If you need it faster (a service, an anniversary), tell us and we'll see what's honestly possible.

What if I'm not ready to talk yet?

Then don't. The keepsake notebook arrives in the post; fill in what you can; send it back when you're ready. That's the second step, and there is no clock on it.

03

Bereavement

I can't afford this. Can you still help?

Yes. We hold five places a year for families who cannot pay. No application, no questions — please ring us and we will arrange it.

Do you work with funeral homes?

With independents in the UK and Ireland, yes. Trade pricing for orders of three or more, and a white-label Q-Box option. Email trade@qbituary.com.

04

Privacy & passwords

Who can see the memorial?

It is your choice, and you can change it any time. Public: anyone with the link can visit; the page is indexed by name. Private: a passphrase guards it. Family-only: invited email addresses get a sign-in link; no-one else can enter.

What about the QR codes on the plaque and pendant?

The QR points at a permanent short URL we own. If the page is private, scanning it lands on the passphrase form. If you ever change the page's slug, the QR still works — the short URL is forever.

Is the guestbook moderated?

Yes. By default, anonymous entries wait for your approval. Verified-email entries appear immediately. You can pin, reject, or turn the guestbook off entirely.

05

The Q-Box

What's in the box?

A cast-bronze garden plaque (120 × 160 mm), fifty letterpress remembrance cards on cotton stock, and — at the Heirloom tier — a sterling silver pendant with a secret QR etched on the back.

Is the plaque weatherproof?

Yes. Cast bronze, hand-finished with a patina that deepens with the seasons. Mount it on a stake in soil, or screw-fix it to a wall, fence, bench, gravestone.

Can I order extra cards or a second plaque later?

Yes. Cards are reprintable forever, sold in sets of fifty. Plaques are remade individually — please ring.

06

Hosting forever

What does "hosted forever" actually mean?

For as long as Qbituary exists, the page lives on our servers, included in your one-time fee. There is no subscription, no renewal letter, no risk of losing the page because someone forgot a card update.

What if Qbituary closes?

We have a legal arrangement to will every memorial to the Internet Archive. Pages would continue to be reachable by their short URL, just hosted somewhere else. The QR codes on your plaque and pendant would still work.

Can I download the page?

Yes — at any time. We provide an HTML export of the full memorial, plus original-resolution copies of every photograph, audio clip and film. The family keeps a backup. That feels important to us.

07

Money & refunds

When do I pay?

Half on commission (after the first call, when you decide to proceed). Half on approval (after you've seen the final proofs).

What if I change my mind?

Before any work begins, your deposit is refunded in full. After we've started writing, we keep a fair part of it. We will always discuss this with you — no policy hidden in a footer.