How to Import a
GPS Survey Into Cemetery Software
You already paid for a GPS or ground-penetrating-radar survey. CemeteryBase imports the deliverable so you don't have to pay again to digitize it. CSV with lat/lng, KML, KMZ, and GeoJSON import through the dashboard. Shapefiles (the GIS-industry standard) are handled by our white-glove team as part of setup. Works with Sentry Mapping, CIMS, local GIS consultants, and city GIS departments.
To import a cemetery GPS survey into CemeteryBase: (1) CSV with lat/lng columns, KML, KMZ, and GeoJSON import directly through the dashboard wizard; (2) Shapefiles (the standard surveyor deliverable, which need coordinate-system reprojection) are handled by our white-glove team as part of the $1,999–$2,499 setup package; (3) PDF maps work as a visual base layer but plots still need to be drawn. Compatible with Sentry Mapping, CIMS, local GIS consultants, and city GIS surveys. Plots auto-link to existing burial records by plot ID, and future expansion surveys can be imported into new sections without rebuilding the map.
Supported file formats
What your surveyor delivered determines whether the import is self-serve or runs through our white-glove team.
CSV with lat/lng
Self-servePlot ID, latitude, longitude, and optionally section name. Goes through the standard import wizard. Most common format we see from custom GIS exports.
KML / KMZ
Self-serveGoogle Earth export format. CemeteryBase parses Placemark Points and Polygons (computing centroids for polygons). KMZ is just zipped KML.
GeoJSON
Self-serveOpen-standard JSON-based geo format. Point features import directly; properties map to plot fields (plot_identifier, section_name, status).
Shapefile (.shp / .shx / .dbf / .prj)
White-gloveGIS-industry standard for surveyor deliverables. Includes coordinate-system reprojection from State Plane or UTM to WGS84. Handled by our white-glove team as part of the $1,999–$2,499 setup package.
PDF map (as visual base layer)
Self-serveA PDF map can be uploaded as the visual base-layer overlay, but does not give per-plot coordinates. Plots are then drawn over it with the grid tool, or our white-glove team handles it.
Step-by-step import
Identify your file format
Check the file extension your surveyor delivered. Most cemetery GPS or GPR surveys come as shapefile, KML/KMZ, or CSV with lat/lng columns.
Confirm the coordinate system
Surveys are usually in a local State Plane or UTM coordinate system. CemeteryBase reprojects to WGS84 lat/lng. Shapefiles include the projection (.prj). CSVs should be in decimal lat/lng.
Choose self-serve or white-glove
CSV, KML, KMZ, and GeoJSON import through the dashboard wizard. Shapefiles are handled by the white-glove team — same pricing as full setup ($1,999–$2,499).
Auto-link to existing burial records
Imported plots auto-match to burial records by plot identifier. If the surveyor used different IDs than your records, the wizard offers a manual mapping step.
Verify on the interactive map
Open the dashboard map view and confirm plots are positioned correctly on satellite imagery. Undo and re-run if anything looks off.
Works with any surveyor
CemeteryBase doesn't care which company ran your survey. If the deliverable is in one of the supported formats, we can import it.
Sentry Mapping
Nationwide GPR + GIS cemetery surveys. Deliverables typically shapefile + web map.
CIMS
GPS-to-GIS cemetery mapping. Deliverables typically shapefile or KML.
Local GIS / City surveyors
Variable format. CSV with lat/lng or shapefile are most common.
GPS survey import FAQ
How do I import a GPS survey into cemetery software?+
CemeteryBase imports cemetery GPS surveys delivered as CSV with latitude/longitude columns, KML, KMZ, GeoJSON, or shapefile. CSV/KML/KMZ/GeoJSON go through the self-serve import wizard. Shapefiles (the standard surveyor deliverable, which includes coordinate-system reprojection) are handled by the CemeteryBase white-glove team as part of the $1,999–$2,499 setup package.
Which cemetery surveyors does CemeteryBase work with?+
CemeteryBase works with any cemetery GPS or GPR surveyor — Sentry Mapping, CIMS, local GIS consultants, or city GIS departments. The deliverable format matters more than the surveyor brand: CSV with lat/lng, KML, KMZ, GeoJSON, and shapefile are all supported.
What’s a shapefile and why does it need special handling?+
A shapefile is the GIS-industry-standard format for survey deliverables — it’s actually a folder of 4 files (.shp for geometry, .shx for index, .dbf for attribute table, .prj for projection). The .prj file tells the system what coordinate system the survey is in (usually a local State Plane or UTM grid). CemeteryBase’s white-glove team handles the reprojection to WGS84 lat/lng so plots land in the right place.
Can I import future GPS surveys as my cemetery expands?+
Yes. CemeteryBase doesn’t lock you in to a single import. As your cemetery expands and you commission additional GPS/GPR survey rounds for new sections, you can import each round into a new section without rebuilding the existing map. This is particularly common for non-profit cemeteries planning multi-year expansions.
What if my surveyor only delivered a PDF map?+
A PDF map can be used as the visual base layer (upload the PDF as a paper-map overlay), but it doesn’t give you per-plot coordinates. To get individual plots into the database, you’ll need either a coordinates file from your surveyor or the white-glove team can draw plots from the PDF as part of setup.
Do I need any GIS software to do the import?+
No. CemeteryBase handles the import inside the dashboard for self-serve formats (CSV, KML, KMZ, GeoJSON). For shapefiles, the white-glove team uses QGIS internally to do the reprojection and conversion — you never touch GIS software.
Have a survey file in hand?
Forward us the file your surveyor delivered and we'll confirm exactly how the import will work and how long it will take.