Remember paper road maps and atlases? Thankfully, with GPS and other technological advancements, we don't have to rely on such rudimentary way-finding tools anymore. And just like navigating roads and highways have changed, so, too, have the tools used by funeral homes and cemeteries to map and locate current plots and landmarks and plan future dev...

There are many ways technology can assist cemeteries and crematoria to streamline business processes, preserve history, meet compliance, and mitigate risk. All businesses face risks, and the death care profession is no different. However, in this profession, compliance and regulations are dictated in each state and territory regardin...

Just as the traditions and rituals of death care have evolved over time, so have our ways of keeping cemetery records: from handwritten notes and maps, to Excel spreadsheets, through to comprehensive cemetery management software. These newest options have brought with them new opportunities, and notably – the chance to move far beyond simple record...

It's believed that dirty data, or bad data, costs the US economy a staggering $3.1 trillion every year, according to an IBM survey. Dirty data is no small problem – and unfortunately, the death care industry is not immune to its effects. If you're using digital cemetery software, funeral arrangement software, or marketing automation software of any...

In business, it's easy, and certainly comfortable, to maintain the status quo. But when you take a long hard look at our industry—or really any industry—you realize that change is a constant. Disruption is a given. And uncertainty is certain. But despite all the challenges coming our way in the death care industry—there is great opportunity. If we ...

If you are a cemetery, crematorium, or funeral home, records management is an essential function of daily business. In addition to accessing critical financial and regulatory records, maintaining up-to-date information on your customers, their families, and their relationships has real business impact.Does your current records management software s...

 "Who moved that information?" "Where did you find that number?" "Which version did we work on last?!" These can be universal phrases in an organization that has information silos. Inventory, bookings, customer relationships, mapping and marketing – perhaps they're all managed in different systems right now. Some records may even be paper-base...

Unhealthy Fears About Death and Technology The funeral home industry is no stranger to myths and rumors that perpetuate our collective fear of the unknown. Often the death care industry falls prey to superstitious beliefs or campy depictions that just aren't true.  Those of us working in the funeral and cemetery business take these presumption...

For many, the opportunity to work from home used to be an elusive dream. In the face of the global pandemic that is COVID-19, when so many of us are now forced to work from home, the reality of trying to 'get things done' whilst working remotely from our work colleagues and meeting rooms is perhaps more challenging than we may have envisioned....

Anzac Day 2020 is unlike previous years, in that we will not be able to join in the dawn services and community events that usually mark the day of remembrance. With respect to those soldiers fallen, we present a piece noting a Victorian Cemetery's community Anzac Day preparation in 2019. Remembering All Fallen Soldiers ANZAC Day 2019 and the groun...

Do you ever find yourself wishing you had remembered to acknowledge a special day or milestone, but the moment passed before you could arrange to get an email or correspondence written, designed, and sent out in time?  Juggling the many anniversaries, holidays, key moments, and business events one at a time can create an endless cycle of hurry...

The cemetery and crematoria business have seen rapid change in the last decade, and changes will continue. Customer expectations are different, a much more personalized service is expected, and there are no more 'rules' when dealing with a death. Cremations are increasing, putting pressure on cemeteries to increase revenue with reduced burials. Mem...

Cremation numbers are rising and have been since the 1960s in most of the United States. Below we will look at the reasons for this and the trends that are impacting the cemetery, crematoria and funeral home industries today, and into the future. The growing popularity of cremations has seen revenue fall for many cemeteries which are now struggling...

Recent changes brought about by social shifts are predominantly driven through the way in which the millennials or more broadly Gen X/Y/Z view and engage with the world around them.Cemeteries and funeral homes (and the broader death care industry) will be substantially impacted by these changes and so need to prepare their busin...

Established in 1905, Carr Villa Memorial Park (CV) is the main cemetery servicing the Launceston area in Tasmania. With the addition of an on-site crematorium, the first cremation took place in 1939; CV now facilitates a variety of burial offerings. From a lawn cemetery and a monumental cemetery to a limited monumental section, as well as various a...

Geelong Cemeteries Trust (GCT) operates over 20 cemeteries in and around Geelong. With so many sites spread over such a large area, GCT was looking to streamline their operations. The Changing Plot  Formed in 1985 with the amalgamation of four sites, GCT grew to ten sites in the early 2000s. Now in 2019, they manage 20 sites, taking on new loc...

As Australians, we're searching for both our individual and national identities. By looking into our past, we discover the characters our national stories are built on; finding out how they lived, and what they achieved. The local Gordon Cemetery is a great place to start your discovery. Beyond the Graveyard  Depending on your outlook, a buria...

Ongoing education and training are essential for any business to remain competitive and capitalize on opportunities. While we may be stating the obvious, professional development often competes with other day-to-day priorities and may not get the attention it deserves. Yet keeping skills sharp and staying ahead of new trends, tools, technology, and...

Cemetery mapping is essential; for visitors, it allows easy access to the graves or memorials they are seeking, and for the cemetery or crematory it provides a clear list of their inventory (used and available) and helps manage operations. However, mapping a graveyard or any site can come with some challenges; the complexity of these can ...

Wellington, New Zealand – May 2019: "Recreation Aotearoa (representing the New Zealand Cemeteries and Crematoria Collective) has partnered with OpusXenta, the leading global provider of cemetery and crematoria management solutions, to further strengthen the capabilities of the Cemeteries and Crematoria industry in New Zealand. With a changing marke...