There are many ways technology can assist cemeteries and crematoria to streamline business processes using technology to preserve history 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 regarding what your cemetery must do to manage risk and maintain a safe working environment. Many risks could impact your cemetery or crematoria. These could include compliance, customer service, financial, operational, resource, strategic, or technical risks.
Very simply, you need to regularly review your business and operations to identify your potential risks, take action to reduce/minimize these risks, monitor them, and discuss with your team how you plan on managing these risks. Risks could be that your data is not backed up off-site, an eroded footpath causing a trip hazard, overhanging branches obstructing roads, tombstones/plaques not mapped, etc.
So how can you use technology to preserve history and mitigate risk?
Imagine a cloud-based software solution that caters for all aspects of cemetery management that you can use anywhere, anytime, and maintain your records for:
- Deceased persons
- Interment details
- Cremation detail
- Holder of rights
- Rights transfers
- Next of kin
- Exhumations
Meaning no more disparate systems for records, be they paper, Excel, or in other formats. Records are no longer in a central physical location, so they are not at risk from accidental damage, fire, flood, or even vandalism. Not only are your records safer, but you are also now able to search your deceased persons records instantly and provide information to the public quickly.
The same technology can provide digital mapping of your grounds showing the physical location of sites, meaning you can easily identify those in use and those available. Points of interest within your grounds can show any building or site that might have significant architectural, historical, or general interest. Mapping can also identify areas of the grounds that might require maintenance, or where a risk has been identified and needs to be monitored.
A cemetery management solution will help your site manage compliance and governance, particularly in relation to record-keeping and risk mitigation. It will also allow for customer feedback and comments to be recorded and, if relevant, associated with a person’s record. Allowing you to see trends in feedback quickly, identify areas where you could improve, and generally improve your business.
Manage your finances with an inbuilt accounts system catering specifically for the cemetery and crematorium industry. Manage inventory items: graves, ash locations, remembrance walls, and flora. Track the status of each memorial location and report on availability instantly. And manage the day-to-day operational requirements of your cemetery.
Technology gives your cemetery the ability to manage business processes, including records management – meeting your moral and legal requirements, preserving records for generations to come, and making them available. Using a single technological tool to manage your business also means you can produce comprehensive reports on each business area, including tracking and minimizing risk at your site. Managing your processes ensures you are complying with relevant guidelines and mitigating risk.