PROMINENT CEMETERY GOES VIRTUAL

The Worcester County Memorial Park became the first cemetery to go virtual today. Names of all 17,500+ people buried there since the park opened in 1961 is now searchable on the Internet.

"We have always done things a little differently," says WCMP's General Manager, Brian Killelea, "and feel that this move is another positive way in which we differentiate ourselves from traditional cemeteries."

It only takes one look at the WCMP's picturesque 40-acre spread in peaceful Paxton, Mass. to know that it is different from traditional cemeteries, from its lack of upright markers to its tasteful themed subsections.

"Coordinating this was a massive task," notes Dave Lapierre of DLG Results, the Worcester web services company that the Killelea family tapped to aid in the effort. "We not only needed to create an accurate database of names and dates, but we also needed to enable the new website with the kind of functionality that would allow visitors to post a message of tribute or order flowers online for a loved one laid to rest there."

One of the other things that visitors can do while on the WCMP's "virtual remembrance" website (which is backed up daily so that the messages of tribute to the departed become permanent) is registering for e-mail updates whenever such tributes are left by others. Also, not only can visitors view a video presentation of a loved one created from user-uploaded photographs, but can also caption the photos to give them additional significance. In addition, while on the site, Users can make donations to any number of worthy charities with the click of a button.

To see the results of the Killeleas' and Lapierre's undertaking (or for more information on The Park), go to www.wcmp.org or call WCMP General Manager Brian Killelea at (508) 791-0350. Tours are also available.