What is a Plot Map for a Cemetery?
Cemetery burial plot maps are an integral part of any cemetery or crematorium and should provide an accurate location of every grave or cremated remains plot within the grounds and the spaces available. Maintaining an accurate cemetery map is essential for day-to-day operations, from ensuring that only available plots are sold to helping loved ones navigate the grounds and find the plot they wish to visit.
Types of Cemetery Plot Maps
Accurate mapping is essential for the successful preservation and management of any cemetery and the way in which the mapping is done can have a huge impact on that.
There have been many different approaches to cemetery mapping over the years with some of the most commonly used being paper records and logbooks, spreadsheets and databases and more recently, cloud-based mapping cemetery software.
Whilst these methods all have their place, there are many advantages to the newer, advanced approaches that can provide many benefits.
- Paper Records and Logbooks
This method was the most used in the past, usually with large logbooks or record journals in the form of binders and books and handwritten or drawn notes and maps. This format however is very time consuming, unreliable and can be easily lost or damaged.
- Databases and Spreadsheets
These were used to input the cemetery data and information into one digital document. Whilst this is more reliable than paper, there are many drawbacks to this type of mapping. Firstly, the spreadsheets do not visually represent the cemetery grounds, nor do they incorporate any imagery or burial link records and are very difficult to attach any important information to such as deeds, images and invoices.
- Cemetery Mapping Software
This advanced cloud-based software can be used to integrate information from the old paper and spreadsheet formats to create a powerful single database with interactive digital maps. This allows for easy access of records and storage of data, images and custom reports for a streamlined, more efficient and accurate process.
Why are Digital Cemetery Plot Maps So Important?
A plot map is a vitally important component of any cemetery and investing in the right digital mapping software can provide many benefits and advantages, such as;
- Visitors Map
Creates an accurate grave map that helps visitors to navigate the cemetery so they can quickly and easily locate the grave they are looking for.
- Accuracy
Keep precise, up to date and clear records that are easier to manage and help to avoid errors and mistakes from occurring. This also reduces the amount of time spent having to look through, search and double check paper documents or spreadsheets which can be extremely time consuming.
- Risk Mitigation
Mistakes in this business can be extremely distressing and upsetting for everyone involved but with unreliable mapping methods, double bookings of plots, burials in the wrong plot and the sale of already allocated plots can occur and leave you open to a lawsuit. Digital mapping technology can provide complete peace of mind by pinpointing exact locations with unrivalled accuracy.
- Protecting Records
Protecting your records is essential to preserve the history of the cemetery as well as all the important data, information and burial locations. In the unfortunate event that a fire, flooding, technology malfunctions or natural disaster were to occur, it could mean that everything is lost for good. However, with cloud-based records and mapping, everything is safe and can be accessed securely from any mobile device.
- Inventory and Sales
This software means that managers and employees can quickly and easily locate available plots with inventory shown in real time to eliminate any confusion over availability or the potential for mistakes and duplicate sales.
