Cemetery Mapping: From Paper Plots to Digital Maps
A practical guide for cemeteries ready to replace paper maps with interactive digital mapping. What it takes, how long it takes, and what you gain.
Why digitize your cemetery map?
Paper maps served cemeteries well for centuries. But they have real limitations: they can't be searched, can't be shared easily, can't show real-time availability, and can't survive a fire or flood.
A digital cemetery map solves all of these. Staff find plots instantly. Families see graves on their phones. Available plots are color-coded. And your map is backed up in the cloud, safe forever.
What you need to get started
• A paper map, PDF, or your cemetery’s address (for satellite imagery)
• A list of sections and approximate plot counts
• A computer with a web browser
• About 1–3 hours for the initial map build
Step-by-step: building your digital map
Step 1: Choose your base layer
You have two options. Enter your cemetery address and use satellite imagery, or upload a scanned paper map as an overlay. Satellite imagery is usually easier and more accurate.
Step 2: Define your sections
Create named sections that match your cemetery’s layout — Garden of Peace, Section A, Veterans Row, etc. Each section can have its own plot numbering scheme.
Step 3: Draw plots with the grid tool
Select a section and use the grid tool to define rows and columns. Set spacing between plots. The tool generates all plots in the section at once. Adjust individual plots as needed.
Step 4: Set plot statuses
Mark plots as available, occupied, reserved, or sold. These show as color codes on the map — green, red, orange, and blue.
Step 5: Link records to plots
Import your burial records from a spreadsheet and match them to plots. Or add records manually. Each record connects to a specific plot on the map.
Step 6: Go live
Your map is now searchable by staff and (if you enable the public page) by families. No additional setup needed.
How long does it take?
Most small cemeteries (under 2,000 plots) complete their map in 1 to 3 hours. Larger cemeteries might take a full afternoon. The grid tool is the key \u2014 it generates dozens or hundreds of plots in a section at once.
If you'd prefer someone else to do it, CemeteryBase offers optional setup packages starting at $999 where we build the map for you.
What you gain
✓ Staff find any plot in seconds instead of minutes
✓ Families find graves online without calling you
✓ Available plots are visible at a glance — no walking the grounds
✓ Your map is backed up in the cloud, safe from loss or damage
✓ You can sell plots online with built-in payment processing
Ready to digitize your cemetery map?
Get started with CemeteryBase. Build your map, import records, and go live the same day.