MADISON, WI — As Ramaker and Associates, Inc., moves its headquarters to Madison, Wisconsin, CIMS—the cemetery management software developed by Ramaker—is joining the transition. After more than 20 years in Sauk City, this transition marks a new chapter for CIMS and reinforces its commitment to serving cemeteries across the country with accessible, responsive support. 

As interest in environmentally conscious living grows, so too does interest in environmentally conscious end-of-life practices. Natural burials and green cemeteries are an increasingly popular choice for individuals seeking a final resting place that honors the earth as much as the individual.

Cemeteries are more than places of rest; they’re vital community spaces where families gather, honor legacies, and make meaningful decisions about the future. With Burial Search, cemeteries can elevate how they serve their communities by offering a powerful, intuitive, and modern experience for those visiting loved ones and those considering future interments.

For many cemeteries, going paperless can feel like a daunting task. Decades’ worth of paper records, handwritten ledgers, and physical maps may feel like they’ll never make it into a digital system. With CIMS, transitioning to a paperless workflow is easy, and all your records and documents are accessible at any time, from any device with an internet connection.

CIMS (Cemetery Information Management System) was created in 1998 with a simple goal: to help cemeteries manage their records and maps more efficiently. The idea originated when Ramaker, a 25-person engineering firm at the time, responded to a request for proposal from the City of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. That project revealed a broader need for intuitive, digital cemetery management solutions—and CIMS was born.

Managing cemetery records often involves working with stacks of old paper documents, maps, and handwritten notes. Transitioning from physical records to a digital system can seem overwhelming, but with the right tools, it becomes a seamless process. One of the most effective tools for this transition is a document camera—a device that makes it easy to digitize records and integrate them directly into CIMS Cloud.

When investing in CIMS cemetery software, you receive a comprehensive annual maintenance plan designed to keep your cemetery records secure, up-to-date, and easily accessible. We know that budget considerations are important. That’s why we strive to keep our maintenance plan costs reasonable while delivering high-quality support and services that help cemeteries operate smoothly and efficiently. Here’s what’s included in your CIMS support plan:

Not all cemetery maps are created equal. Many cemetery management platforms offer basic mapping capabilities, but CIMS Platinum takes it to the next level with its advanced GIS-powered maps. Unlike other software programs, CIMS Platinum doesn’t just mark grave locations—it builds a true-to-life model of the cemetery, incorporating burial shapes, custom markers, and real-time updates.

Software is only as good as its support. That’s why at CIMS, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional customer service tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.

The Minneapolis Jewish Cemetery, a 10-acre burial ground in Richfield, MN, recently transitioned to CIMS Platinum from a different cemetery management software. In this case study, we’ll walk through the process of their conversion, the challenges faced, and the reasons why CIMS proved to be the optimal solution for their needs.