Funeral with a difference

WHEN Carl Minardo dies, he knows exactly who will be delivering the eulogy at his funeral – himself.

The businessman has recorded a 10minute hologram eulogy, which includes him holding a martini and saying to mourners: ‘I’m talking to you because I want to express from my heart how important you all were and how much better my life has been with you in it. Let’s raise a glass to me.’

The 66-year-old believes holograms – three-dimensional images formed by light beams, usually from a laser – will be a common sight at funerals within a couple of years. His company, based in West Palm Beach, Florida, offers eightto 10-minute ‘personal eulogy’ holograms, costing between $19,000 and $50,000. ‘Some people have described it as creepy or freaky, but many think it’s a great idea,’ Mr Minardo said.

The technology has already been used to ‘resurrect’ dead singers, including Joe Dolan and Roy Orbison . And last week the family of the late Amy Winehouse announced that she would ‘tour’ next year in hologram form.