WO2019030788A1

WO2019030788A1 - Digital urn and corresponding method for controlling its function

Info

Publication number: WO2019030788A1
Application number: PCT/IT2018/050149
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacopo VITALI
Original assignee: Rip Cemetery Srl
Current assignee: Rip Cemetery Srl
Priority date: 2017-08-08
Filing date: 2018-08-08
Publication date: 2019-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-08
Also published as: IT201700091975A1

Abstract

Funerary urn, comprising a closed container (11) configured to contain the ashes of a deceased person, and an external casing (12) configured to at least partly enclose the container (11). The urn comprises at least one multimedia device (14) associated with the external casing (12) and configured to reproduce multimedia contents.

Description

DIGITAL URN AND CORRESPONDING METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ITS FUNCTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a digital funerary urn configured to contain the ashes of a deceased person.

The present invention also concerns a method to control the functioning of the aforementioned digital funerary urn.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, the tendency to choose to cremate the dead instead of traditional burial in the ground has become increasingly widespread. Subsequently, according to the laws in force in different countries, the ashes of the deceased can be dispersed in nature, or collected in funerary urns.

It is known that funerary urns comprise a hermetically sealable container to contain the ashes of the deceased person and an external casing which houses the container inside.

Usually the funerary urn can be buried, for example in special niches provided in so-called "columbaria" (the burial plots where urns are kept), or in traditional cemeteries, or it can be kept in a relative's house. In particular, in this last case, traditional solutions do not allow friends and family members to make a visit to their dear deceased at any desired moment; traditional urns kept at home, in fact, prevent outsiders from making visits to the deceased, and the columbaria and cemeteries are generally subject to opening hours, and can be distant to reach. Moreover, funerary urns are not usually customizable, or in any case, once the urn in which to keep the ashes of the deceased has been chosen, it is no longer possible to change its appearance, or to associate objects with it for commemorative purposes.

One disadvantage of known funerary urns is therefore that family members are not allowed to interact with the urn containing the ashes of the deceased in order to remember the deceased person, through the memory of particular happy moments or shared emotions in the past. In fact, known funerary urns are only objects that allow to keep the ashes of the deceased in the places in which his/her family lives in order to have him/her always close, preventing any further interaction between the deceased and his/her loved ones.

Another disadvantage is that known funerary urns allow to remember the deceased person only in the place in which they are located, making it difficult to celebrate and keep alive the memory of the deceased in other places distant from that where the urn is positioned.

Funerary urns or memorial devices of a deceased person are also known, in particular intended to be disposed in cemeteries or memorials, and provided with electronic devices such as displays or loudspeakers for example, which allow to reproduce images, videos or sound contents linked to the deceased. Examples of these known commemorative devices are described in the US patent applications US-A1-2016/0378245, US-A1-2015/0252583, US-A1 -2008/0010792, US-A1- 2004/0085337 and in the US patent US-B1-6.414.663.

One disadvantage of some of these commemorative devices is that they are bulky and provide fixed structures, some on walls, others planted in the ground, in cemeteries or burial sites.

Another disadvantage is obviously that they are structures that do not allow to keep alive the memory of the deceased in places different from those where they are located, which can generally be visited only occasionally by persons close to the deceased.

One purpose of the present invention is to make available an improved funerary urn compared with funerary urns known in the state of the art.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a customizable funerary urn.

Another purpose is to provide a funerary urn whose appearance can be modified over time.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a funerary urn which allows to maintain a relationship with the deceased in an interactive manner.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a funerary urn which allows to keep alive the memory of a deceased person for a large number of people, in the context of their daily life, even at a certain distance in space from the physical place in which the urn is located.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a compact funerary urn, with clean lines and pleasing from an aesthetic point of view. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a funerary urn which can be customized to one's liking, and which makes it possible to modify its aesthetic appearance simply and quickly.

It is also a purpose of the present invention to perfect a method to control the operation of a funerary urn.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, the present invention concerns a funerary urn, in particular of the digital type, that is, equipped with communication instruments of the digital type, comprising a closed container, in particular hermetically sealed, configured to contain the ashes of a deceased person or animal, and an external casing configured to at least partly enclose the container.

The funerary urn, according to the invention, also comprises a multimedia communication device that is held by the external casing.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the funerary urn comprises a control and command unit operatively connected to the multimedia device and a receiver/transmitter element configured to allow a two-way dialog between remote electronic devices, for example a user's personal smartphone, and the funerary urn. In this way, a remote communication between the funerary urn and the remote devices is allowed, both to load by means of the latter virtual contents such as messages, images, videos, cartoons, sounds intended to be reproduced on the multimedia device, and also to display on the remote electronic devices said virtual contents, possibly also loaded by other users.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the control and command unit is configured to supply identification means univocally associated with the funerary urn by means of which every user, by means of a respective app memorized on his/her own personal remote electronic device, can operatively associate the latter to the funerary urn.

In this way, advantageously, the multimedia device can reproduce, by way of non-restrictive example only, images, writings, a video, an audio file, or any multimedia content to celebrate or remember the deceased. The multimedia contents can be changed, updated, shared or seen again, in a personalized manner depending on the message that a user wants to communicate, or on the memory that he/she wants to evoke, Moreover, the multimedia contents can also be displayed remotely, on personal remote electronic devices that have previously been operatively associated with the funerary urn.

In this way, advantageously, the funerary urn also functions as a social network for the connection to a plurality of users, because a network of people, connected to the same urn, is able to display the contents loaded thereon even by all the other users.

According to one embodiment, the external casing can be provided, in correspondence with one of its lateral walls, with a cavity or a window destined to receive the multimedia device, in a manner such that the latter remains exposed to view.

According to another embodiment, the funerary urn can comprise sensor means.

In some embodiments, the sensor means comprise a presence sensor.

In some embodiments, the sensor means comprise one or more sensor elements of the biometric type.

The present invention also concerns a method to control the functioning of said funerary urn.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the method provides the steps of:

- making available a closed container configured to contain the ashes of a deceased person;

- supplying an external casing configured to at least partly enclose the container;

- supplying a multimedia device held in position by the external casing and configured to reproduce multimedia contents;

- supplying a control and command unit operatively connected to the multimedia device;

- allowing a two-way dialog between remote electronic devices, for example a user's personal smartphone, and the funerary urn by means of a receiver/transmitter element;

- operatively associating one or more remote electronic devices with the funerary urn by means of identifications means univocally associated with the funerary urn, supplied by the control and command unit and configured to be introduced into the remote electronic devices that are to be associated;

- controlling the funerary urn remotely, in order to load, by means of said remote electronic devices, virtual contents such as messages, images, videos, cartoons, sounds, intended to be reproduced on the multimedia device, and/or to display on the remote electronic devices said virtual contents, possibly also loaded by other users whose personal electronic device has previously been associated with the funerary urn.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a schematic and perspective view of one embodiment of a funerary urn according to the present invention;

- fig. 2 is a schematic view of a cross section of the funerary urn in fig. 1 ;

- fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the functioning logic of the method to control the funerary urn in fig. 1 ;

- fig. 4 is an exploded schematic and perspective view of another embodiment of a funerary urn according to the present invention;

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments described here using figs. 1-3 concern a funerary urn 10, of the digital type, that is, equipped with digital communication tools, which comprises a closed container 1 1 to contain ashes, for example of a deceased person, or of a domestic animal of which one was particularly fond and of which one wants to continue to celebrate the memory, even after death. According to a preferred solution, the container 1 1 can be a hermetically sealable solid body. In this way, the ashes are enclosed in an insulated container sealed from the external environment, in compliance with the regulations in force and with the required hygiene and sanitary requirements.

According to embodiments described here, the container 1 1 can be made of a metal material, for example steel, zinc, tin, or suchlike.

According to a variant embodiment, the container 1 1 can be made of a polymeric material, for example ABS, PVC, or a composite material.

According to another variant embodiment, the container 1 1 can be a bag or a casing.

In one embodiment, the container 1 1 is made in such a way as to be impermeable.

The container 1 1 can comprise a containing body 17, configured to contain the ashes, and a lid 20, which can be associated with the containing body 17.

The containing body 17 is provided with a cavity 18 configured to accommodate the ashes.

The cavity 18 is open outwardly in correspondence with an aperture 19 of the containing body 17.

The lid 20 is configured to be associated with the containing body 17, that is to close the aperture 19 hermetically.

In particular, the lid 20 can be attached by means of attachment means 21.

For example, the attachment means 21 can be screws which are screwed into the thickness of the containing body 17.

In accordance with embodiments described here, the lid 20 can be attached to the containing body 17 also by welding, performed along the entire length of the perimeter along which the edge of the containing body 17 contacts the lid 20.

In accordance with other embodiments, the lid 20 can be glued to the containing body 17, for example by means of silicone glues, or other adhesive substances.

In this way the container 1 1 is sealed, thus avoiding the risk of accidental spills, loss of ash, or infiltrations of moisture.

By way of example, the container 1 1 can have a height comprised between about 10 cm and about 30 cm, a length comprised between about 15 cm and about 40 cm and a width comprised between about 5 cm and about 10 cm.

The funerary urn 10 comprises an external casing 12 configured to at least partly enclose the container 1 1.

According to one embodiment, the external casing 12 can be made of a material selected from a group comprising a polymer, metal, wood, glass, stone or mineral material, or a composite material with aramid or carbon fibers, fiberglass, or suchlike.

For example, the external casing 12 can be made of a precious material to further embellish the funerary urn 10.

The external casing 12 can have a curvilinear shape, or a polygonal shape.

The external casing 12 can have a customized shape according to requirements, for example according to the type of memory to be evoked with a particular shape.

According to some embodiments, the external casing 12 can be easily removed and replaced by one of a different type, color, shape, or size. The external casing 12 can thus take the form of an interchangeable cover, for example on the occasion of special anniversaries or events, or can include embedded objects, for example photographs, memories, or other, possibly also interchangeable.

According to embodiments described here, the external casing 12 can be made of a material which allows to engrave names, phrases or dedications, or which allows to associate with the funerary urn 10 small objects dear to the loved one. It should be noted that these small objects (not shown) can be associated with the external casing 12 temporarily or permanently.

According to another embodiment, the external casing 12 has an external surface 13 having a knurled, smooth, opaque, pearly, glossy surface finish, or suchlike.

According to another embodiment, the external surface 13 can be covered by a layer of protective material, for example a colored varnish, or an ecological varnish diluted in water, or a liquid crystal varnish.

The funerary urn 10 comprises at least one multimedia device 14.

The multimedia device 14 can comprise a display, of the type known in the state of the art, for example a simple display, or a "touch-screen" display, that is with integrated command devices. In some embodiments, the multimedia device

14 is located in a portion of a lateral wall 16 of the external casing 12. In this way, the multimedia device 14 is exposed to view.

The multimedia device 14 is configured to reproduce multimedia contents, for example videos, text or voice messages, dedications, images, drawings, or suchlike.

According to one embodiment, the external casing 12 is provided with a cavity

15 configured to accommodate the multimedia device 14. The cavity 15 can be made on the lateral wall 16.

In some embodiments, the cavity 15 has a shape mating with the shape of the multimedia device 14 so that the latter is retained in the recess by slot- in means or mechanical interference.

According to another embodiment, the external casing 12 can consist of a first shell 22 and a second shell 23.

The first shell 22 and the second shell 23 can be configured to be connected to one another, for example by an interference coupling.

By way of example only, the external casing 12 can have a height comprised between about 12 cm and about 32 cm, a length comprised between about 17 cm and about 42 cm and a width comprised between about 7 cm and about 12 cm. According to one embodiment, the funerary urn 10 can comprise two multimedia devices 14 each disposed on a respective shell 22, 23.

According to embodiments described here, the funerary urn 10 can comprise a protection element 25.

The protection element 25 is configured to be disposed in the rear part of the multimedia device 14.

In particular, the protection element 25 can be attached on the internal surface of the first shell 22.

The protection element 25 is provided with attachment means which are attached, for example by interference, to the first shell 22.

According to one embodiment, the external casing 12 can comprise a clamping element 24.

The clamping element 24 is configured to keep the external casing 12 closed in a stable manner, ensuring that the first shell 22 and the second shell 23 remain connected to each other.

According to an alternative embodiment, the clamping element can be configured as an openable lock with a special key, thus allowing access inside the external casing 12 and the corresponding content only and exclusively to authorized persons.

According to another embodiment, a containing compartment 32 of electrical and electronic components is defined between the external casing 12 and the container 1 1.

According to one embodiment, the funerary urn 10 can comprise a control and command unit 27 disposed inside the containing compartment 32.

The control and command unit 27 is configured to receive and send signals, process and memorize information.

In one embodiment, the control and command unit 27 is configured as a processor of a type known in the state of the art.

The control and command unit 27 can at least be connected to the multimedia device 14 to send multimedia contents to the latter and to be able to reproduce them.

According to one embodiment, the funerary urn 10 can comprise sensor means.

In one embodiment, the sensor means comprise at least one sensor element 26 which is operatively connected to the control and command unit 27.

According to one embodiment, the sensor element 26 can be a thermal type presence sensor configured to detect body heat sources, so as to send a signal to the control and command unit 27 in order to reproduce a given multimedia content when a person is passing in front of the funerary urn 10.

This allows considerable energy savings because the display of the multimedia device 14 can remain normally in stand-by mode, and only switch on when the presence of an individual in the vicinity of the funerary urn 10 is detected.

According to another variant embodiment, the sensor element 26 can be a biometric sensor.

In one embodiment, the sensor element 26 can be configured to recognize a voice, in this way it is possible to connect the user's voice to a specific multimedia content that can be reproduced. For example, the deceased can memorize a video or voice message to be shared with a specific person by voice recognition. In other words, when the sensor element 26 detects the passage in proximity to the funerary urn 10 of a given person, the multimedia device 14 reproduces the content intended for that person, whether it be images, a video, or a voice message.

According to another variant embodiment, in addition or as an alternative to speech recognition, the sensor element 26 can be configured to scan and recognize a retina of the eye in order to identify a specific person to share a specific multimedia content intended for that person.

In accordance with other embodiments, the sensor element 26 can be connected to the control and command unit 27 to receive the detection signals, to process the information received and to send the multimedia device 14 the command to reproduce specific multimedia contents.

According to another embodiment, the funerary urn 10 can comprise an audio reproduction element 28 configured to be able to reproduce an acoustic multimedia content.

According to another embodiment, the funerary urn 10 can comprise a microphone 29 configured to record sounds, for example a song, or a voice message, or suchlike.

The microphone 29 is configured to be connected to the control and command unit 27 in order to memorize the voice information.

According to embodiments described here, the funerary urn 10 can be provided with at least one device to power the electric and electronic components.

The power supply device can be connected by a cable to an energy source outside the funerary urn 10 itself.

According to one embodiment, the funerary urn 10 can be provided with an energy accumulator element, not shown in the drawings, configured to power at least the multimedia device 14.

The energy accumulator element can be accommodated inside the containing compartment 32, or it can be integrated into the multimedia device 14.

For example, the energy accumulator element can be the rechargeable type, with multiple recharge cycles, and can be configured to guarantee a functioning autonomy of the funerary urn 10 for hours, days, or months.

According to another embodiment, the funerary urn 10 can be provided with a data transfer device 33 configured to allow the transfer of data between the control unit and command 27 and an external memory.

The data transfer device 33 can be made on one of the two shells 22, 23.

The data transfer device 33 can be, for example, a USB port, a scart socket, or suchlike.

With particular reference to fig. 3, we will now describe an example of an operating logic of the funerary urn 10 according to the invention.

According to embodiments described here, the control and command unit 27 and/or the multimedia device 14 are configured to allow the exchange of information, that is, to communicate, with remote electronic devices 31 associated with one or more users, for example family and friends of the deceased whose ashes are, or will be, contained in the container 1 1 of the funerary urn 10.

For example, remote electronic devices 31 can be smartphones, tablets, PCs, or suchlike.

According to some embodiments, information can be memorized in the control and command unit 27 on how to assemble the funerary urn 10 and/or create the interactive connection between the multimedia device 14 and the remote electronic devices 31. This information can be provided, for example, to a user by means of a film reproduced on the multimedia device 14. The funerary urn 10 can comprise a receiver/transmitter element 30, connected to the control and command unit 27 and configured to receive and transmit data to/from one or more of the remote electronic devices 31. The receiver/transmitter element 30 is configured to receive signals sent by remote electronic devices 31 outside the funerary urn 10 which are able to communicate with the latter.

The receiver/transmitter element 30 is configured to send signals processed by the control and command unit 27 to the remote electronic devices 31.

For example, the receiver/transmitter element 30 is configured to communicate with the remote electronic devices 31 by means of physical, electrical or electronic connection (for example via cable), or by radio communication, by Wi-Fi protocol, or Bluetooth®, or Zig-Bee, or an infrared communication, like IrDA, or other.

According to some embodiments, the control and command unit 27, and/or the receiver/transmitter element 30, can be associated with a specific IP address, by means of which they can communicate with a remote server associated with an operations center. In this way, the operations center can monitor the functioning of the funerary urns 10 and, in the event that malfunctions occur, or any anomaly is identified, they can be solved remotely by the technical operators of the operations center.

According to a variant embodiment, the multimedia device 14 can be a tablet, or suchlike.

In this way, some elements, such as for example the sensor element 26, the audio reproduction element 28, the microphone 29 and the receiver/transmitter element 30 can be integrated directly into the multimedia device 14.

According to one embodiment, a dedicated software app can be installed on the remote devices 31 on the multimedia device 14, which allows users to create and send to the funerary urn 10 text messages, videos, images, voice messages, or suchlike. The multimedia contents created or sent by users with their remote electronic devices 31 through the app can be either reproduced by the multimedia device 14 provided in the funerary urn 10, or shared among multiple users by the same app.

According to some embodiments, the information on how to assemble the funerary urn 10 and/or create the interactive connection can be provided directly through the dedicated software app, for example to specific user groups, provided with particular requirements or characteristics, for example the owners, or administrators of the funerary urn 10.

In this way, any person, even outside the family preserving the funerary urn 10, can express a thought, or make a gesture in memory of the deceased.

A user who is interested in leaving a memory of the deceased writes a written or voice message, or attaches a video, image, or suchlike, for example using the app saved on the remote device 31. In particular, the multimedia content can be of a personal nature, for example photographs or videos made directly by the user, or can be chosen from the range of multimedia contents made available on the app, such as for example standard images of flowers, or gravestones or landscapes, or images of a religious nature.

In some embodiments, the multimedia content can be associated with information about its reproduction, such as for example an indication that it should be reproduced when a particular person passes, or a certain day of the year in which a particular anniversary falls.

The remote device 31 sends the multimedia content to the receiver/transmitter element 30 which, in turn, transmits the multimedia content to the control and command unit 27.

The control and command unit 27 memorizes and/or processes the multimedia content and sends it to the multimedia device 14 for reproduction, based on the information linked thereto on how it should be reproduced.

According to another example of the functioning of the funerary urn 10, a person who has not yet died can record a voice message through the microphone 29 to record a dedication to a specific person, or to record his wishes or in general any message that is to be delivered post-mortem.

The control and command unit 27 memorizes the voice message, allowing the user to be able to insert temporal information on the specific person to whom the message is to be delivered.

The control and command unit 27 then sends the voice message to the multimedia device 14 so that it can be reproduced.

According to another functioning example, the funerary urn 10 can provide a social networking function. For example, the above app, present on the remote devices 31 (smartphones) of a plurality of people, allows them to interact with each other from their respective remote devices 31, all interacting with the multimedia device 14 through the control and command unit 27. It is obvious that the interaction rotates in particular around the memory of the deceased person. For example, in this functioning example, the app makes available a shared page, or bulletin board, which is reproduced on both the multimedia device 14 and on the screen of the respective remote devices 31, on which all the people connected to the same profile of the deceased can see the messages and content posted by other users on the bulletin board, and can also upload messages or other contents.

In this functioning example, it is provided that the users associate in advance their remote electronic devices 31 with the funerary urn 10 of a particular deceased person. In one embodiment, the association can take place through an alphanumeric code generated by the control and command unit 27, which is univocally associated with each funerary urn 10. The alphanumeric code can be displayed on the screen of the electronic device 14, and introduced into the app memorized in the remote electronic devices 31 which are to be connected to the same funerary urn 10.

According to another functioning example, the funerary urn 10 can implement virtual contents according to artificial intelligence techniques. In one embodiment, the control unit 27 is provided with a software able to reproduce a three-dimensional image of the deceased, both on the screen of the multimedia device 14 and also on the screens of the remote devices 31, possibly associating sound contents which are reproduced by the three-dimensional image itself. According to some embodiments, the three-dimensional image is made according to methods known in the state of the art from a photograph that portrays the deceased. According to some embodiments, the sound contents reproduced by the three-dimensional image may have been recorded by the deceased before death.

According to one functioning example, the funerary urn 10 according to the present invention can be located in a domestic place. Advantageously, the funerary urn 10 is compact, light and can therefore be moved, even frequently, between the different rooms of a dwelling.

According to another functioning example, the funerary urn 10 according to the present invention can be located in a public place dedicated to the burial of the dead, such as a municipal cemetery, or a colombarium. In this example, a cemetery wing dedicated to funerary urns 10 can be provided, each one disposed in a fixed or removable manner in a respective niche.

With reference to fig. 4, a second embodiment of a funerary urn according to the present invention, indicated in its entirety by the number 10', can be seen. The same components described above with reference to figs. 1 and 2 are indicated by the same reference numbers.

The funerary urn 10' comprises a support 34, hollow inside, to contain the container 1 1.

On an external lateral wall of the support 34 there is a shaped cavity 15' of a shape mating with that of the multimedia device 14.

The support 34 comprises sliding guides 35, for example configured as vertical grooves made on the external lateral walls of the support, intended to receive respective guides disposed in the external casing 12, for example configured as protrusions or ridges protruding toward the inside from an internal wall of the external casing 12. To connect or disconnect an external casing 12 to the support 34 it is sufficient to slide the guides on the sliding guides 35.

In this way, advantageously, it is possible to replace the external casing 12 as desired with other structurally similar external casings 12, but for example of a different color or material.

The internal casing 12 comprises a window 12A suitably sized on the basis of the sizes of the electronic device 14 to allow to display its screen. It should be noted that, once connected to the support 34, the external casing 12 cooperates with the cavity 15' to hold the multimedia device 14 in position.

In this embodiment too, according to a variant embodiment, the external casing 12 can be formed by a first shell and a second shell, each provided with respective guides able to slide on the sliding guides 35.

The support 34 is constrained at a lower part with a base 36, which acts as a closing wall of the internal compartment in which the container 1 1 is disposed. It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts can be made to the funerary urn 10, 10' and the method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of funerary urn 10, 10' and method, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.

Claims

1. Funerary urn of the digital type, comprising a closed container (1 1) configured to contain the ashes of a deceased person, and an external casing (12) configured to at least partly enclose said container (1 1), at least one multimedia device (14) held by said external casing (12) and configured to reproduce multimedia contents, and a control and command unit (27) operatively connected to said multimedia device (14), characterized in that it comprises a receiver/transmitter element (30) configured to allow a two-way dialog between one or more remote electronic devices (31), for example a user's personal smartphone, and the funerary urn, in order to allow a remote communication between said funerary urn and said remote electronic devices (31), both to load by means of said remote electronic devices (31) virtual contents such as messages, images, videos, cartoons, sounds intended to be reproduced in said multimedia device (14), and also to display on said remote electronic devices (31) said virtual contents, possibly also loaded by other users; said control and command unit (27) being configured to supply identification means univocally associated with the funerary urn by means of which every user, by means of a respective app memorized on his/her own personal remote device (31), can operatively associate the latter to said funerary urn.

2. Funerary urn as in claim I, characterized in that said multimedia device (14) is located in a portion of a lateral wall (16) of said external casing (12) so that said multimedia device (14) is open to view.

3. Funerary urn as in claim 2, characterized in that said external casing (12) is provided with a cavity (15) made on said lateral wall (16) and configured to receive said multimedia device (14), said cavity (15) having a shape mating with that of said multimedia device (14).

4. Funerary urn as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a support (34) that encloses said container (11) inside it and externally supports said multimedia device (14), which is housed in a shaped seating (15') and kept in position by said external casing (12).

5. Funerary urn as in claim 4, characterized in that said support (34) is provided with insertion guides (35), configured as grooves, inside which respective guides of said external casing (12) engage with each other by sliding, and which allow to connect/disconnect the latter to/from said support (34).

6. Funerary urn as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises sensor means (26) operatively connected to said control and command unit (27) and/or to said multimedia device (14).

7. Funerary urn as in claim 6, characterized in that said sensor means can comprise a presence sensor element (26) of the thermal type configured to detect sources of body heat, and/or comprise a biometric sensor element (26) configured to recognize a voice, or to scan and recognize a retina of the eye.

8. Funerary urn as in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said sensor means (26) and said receiver/transmitter element (30) are integrated directly in said multimedia device (14).

9. Method to control the functioning of a funerary urn (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, which provides the steps of:

- making available a closed container (11) configured to contain the ashes of a deceased person;

- supplying an external casing (12) configured to at least partly enclose said container (1 1),

- supplying a multimedia device (14) held in position by said external casing (12) and configured to reproduce multimedia contents;

- supplying a control and command unit (27) operatively connected to said multimedia device (14),

characterized in that it also provides to:

- allow a two-way dialog between remote electronic devices (31), for example a user's personal smartphone, and the funerary urn by means of a receiver/transmitter element (30);

- operatively associate one or more remote electronic devices (31) with the funerary urn by means of identifications means univocally associated with the funerary urn supplied by said control and command unit (27) and configured to be introduced into said remote electronic devices (31) that are to be associated; - remotely control said funerary urn (10) in order to load, by means of said remote electronic devices (31), virtual contents such as messages, images, videos, cartoons, sounds, intended to be reproduced in said multimedia device (14), and/or to display on said remote electronic devices (31) said virtual contents, possibly also loaded by other users whose remote electronic device (31) has previously been associated with said funerary urn (10).

10. Method as in claim 9, characterized in that it also provides to replace said external casing (12) with another external casing (12), made of a different material or in different color tones, disconnecting said external casing (12) from a support (34) by means of sliding along suitable insertion guides (35).