Cemetery management plays a vital role in honoring the departed and providing solace to their loved ones. It involves a range of responsibilities, from maintaining burial and grave ownership records to landscaping and groundskeeping. As technology advances, cemetery management software has emerged as an indispensable tool to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. In this blog post, we will explore some of the best practices for cemetery management, highlighting how software solutions like CIMS can significantly contribute to the smooth functioning of cemeteries and the preservation of cherished memories.

Few places hold the secrets of a community quite like historical cemeteries. They offer glimpses into the lives, stories, and aspirations of those who walked the same streets we tread today. Yet, the struggle to preserve their legacy is undeniable. With each passing year, the inscriptions on gravestones fade and the memories etched in stone grow faint. Cemetery record-keeping, though invaluable, poses a challenge when facing the relentless march of time.

In this case study, we will delve into the remarkable journey of one historical township cemetery: Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Norwich Township, Ohio. Since implementing CIMS software over 20 years ago, this cemetery has made remarkable progress in safeguarding its precious data and streamlining its operations.

In the ever-evolving landscape of cemetery management, small cemeteries face unique challenges that require innovative solutions. These challenges, ranging from potential financial constraints and record-keeping difficulties to limited staff and volunteer support, can hinder efficient management and the ability to adapt to evolving needs. In this case study, we delve into the experiences of two small Jewish cemeteries, Beit Olamim in Madison, Wisconsin, and Mt. Nebo in Davenport, Iowa, and how they both have managed to successfully tackle these challenges by harnessing the power of CIMS.

Not all cemeteries have the same management needs. That’s why we’ve developed add-ons for CIMS to help customize your cemetery management software. Each of these add-ons is designed to provide additional support to help cemeteries streamline daily operations and save staff time by integrating seamlessly with CIMS.

Keeping software up to date is important for retaining functionality and improving the user experience. The CIMS team is dedicated to developing cemetery management solutions designed to meet the challenges faced by modern cemeteries, backed by the latest technologies. That’s why we’ve rewritten the entire CIMS code base — over 1.2 million lines of code! This new update addresses several pain points and introduces a few new functions, all while retaining the cemetery management features our customers know and love. In addition, this update will make it easier for us to continue to improve the software in the future. All clients were migrated to the new version on December 12th.

Cemetery sections with incomplete or missing records pose a number of problems for cemetery managers. In the absence of information, questions abound.

Which plots are occupied—and by whom?

Many cemeteries in the United States have been around for centuries. That doesn’t mean their management practices are stuck in the past.

To invest in online cemetery maps, or not to invest in online cemetery maps, that is the question.

That’s the question that many cemetery managers face when thinking about upgrading to cemetery management software, at least.

Too often, inaccurate records and unreliable maps stand in the way of what cemeterians do best: serving families and providing comfort. That’s why cemeteries around the world are implementing cemetery software that streamlines record-keeping and mapping processes.

In this post, we take a closer look at two CIMS cemetery software products: CIMS Light and CIMS Gold. We’ll break down their key features and outline the big differences between the two popular software products.

Using a combination of paper maps, various records, and aging logbooks can make daily cemetery tasks feel more like a never-ending maze than, well, routine operations.

You empty every cabinet, trying to find lost files.

You pour over competing records, hoping to determine which is correct.

Maybe you even curse whomever kept the cemetery’s books 100 years ago.