CemSites Review: Transform Your Cemetery’s Workflow & Record Keeping

Still relying on paper cemetery records?

If you’re dealing with fragile maps and missing plot details, evaluating a management system like CemSites makes real sense. Keeping track of plots or historical data shouldn’t be this frustrating.

After reviewing numerous solutions, I found that misplaced records and manual processes eat up hours every week, forcing you to chase down information that should be at your fingertips.

CemSites moves your cemetery onto a map-based, fully searchable digital platform—linking burial records, sales tracking, and genealogy into a single dashboard. From my research, their interactive GIS mapping and mobile tools stand out for actually reducing daily headaches.

In this review, I’ll break down how CemSites delivers total visibility and accuracy for your operations, even if you’re just starting to digitize decades of records.

You’ll see in this CemSites review how the platform stacks up across features, costs, support, and where it outperforms old-school and alternative systems.

Expect a hands-on look at the features you need to find plots, manage sales, and simplify compliance—so you can finally pick the right system with confidence.

Let’s dig into the details.

CemSites Overview

CemSites has helped cemeteries modernize their operations since 2012. Based in Pennsylvania, their core mission is replacing fragile paper records with an intuitive, map-based digital management system that actually works.

They primarily target municipal, religious, and private cemeteries stuck with outdated methods. What really sets them apart, in my opinion, is their focus on pure cemetery management, deliberately avoiding the complexity you see in broader death care industry platforms.

Instead of splashy acquisitions, their development is about continuous, thoughtful product refinement. This commitment to stability and core function is a critical factor to consider for this CemSites review.

Unlike complex enterprise systems, CemSites delivers a powerful but not overwhelming toolset. You get the distinct feeling it was built by people who have walked the grounds and actually understand a cemetery manager’s daily workflow challenges.

They work with hundreds of single-location cemeteries—from small historic churchyards to large municipal grounds—that all share the need to protect irreplaceable historical data while improving their daily operational efficiency.

I believe their current strategy smartly balances two critical priorities: streamlining your staff’s difficult daily work and providing a valuable, public-facing search resource for your community. This dual focus directly addresses the most pressing modern cemetery needs.

Now, let’s dive into the features.

CemSites Features

Managing a cemetery with outdated tools is a nightmare.

CemSites offers an integrated suite of software solutions designed to modernize cemetery management. These five core CemSites solutions can help you transform your operations from paper to digital.

1. Interactive GIS Cemetery Mapping

Are old paper maps slowing you down?

Relying on paper maps leads to lost records and incorrect plot identification. This frustrates staff and slows operations.

CemSites creates an interactive “digital twin” using GPS/GIS. Each plot is clickable, linked to records, providing at-a-glance inventory status with color-coding. This solution eliminates ambiguities for sales or maintenance.

You’ll drastically reduce search times and gain accurate inventory, maximizing your cemetery’s revenue potential.

2. Centralized Records Management

Is disorganized data a constant headache?

Disorganized or degrading records (deeds, burial cards) pose a significant risk to your cemetery’s historical data.

This module acts as your central database, linking directly to the map. It stores all plot details, interments, and ownership, making all data searchable and cross-referenced easily. What I found: it’s a true single source of truth.

This protects against data loss, ensuring permanent, accessible records. You simplify compliance and historical inquiries.

3. Sales and Financials Management

Manual sales processes lead to errors.

Managing plot sales, invoicing, and work orders manually is inefficient and increases financial mistake risks.

Select a plot on the map to initiate sales workflows. The system generates contracts and invoices, tracking payments, and integrating with QuickBooks Online for seamless syncing. This solution is purpose-built for cemetery transactions.

This streamlines your sales process, improving cash flow and tying financial records directly to plot inventory.

4. Public-Facing Website & Grave Search

High call volumes for grave location?

The public often struggles finding grave information, leading to numerous phone calls and emails burdening your staff.

CemSites builds a website with an embedded, user-friendly map. The public can search by name to find precise grave locations and access public-facing information directly. This solution greatly reduces administrative load.

This provides a valuable public service, enhancing your cemetery’s image while significantly reducing staff information requests.

5. Mobile App for Field Operations

Field crews need real-time data access.

Grounds crews often work with paper orders, lacking real-time map access. This causes inefficiencies and costly mistakes.

The CemSites mobile app gives field staff access to the interactive map and work orders on their devices. They can navigate directly to graves using GPS and update tasks in real time. This is where CemSites shines for field teams.

This improves field operation accuracy and efficiency, creating a digital audit trail of completed work.

These CemSites solutions work together to form a cohesive, integrated platform rather than separate tools. You’ll appreciate how they offer a complete cemetery management ecosystem from mapping to field operations.

CemSites Pricing

Navigating software costs can feel like a labyrinth.

CemSites pricing follows a custom quote model, meaning you’ll need to contact sales directly to get detailed cost information tailored to your specific cemetery’s needs.

1. Pricing Model & Cost Factors

Understanding their unique pricing.

CemSites’ custom pricing avoids one-size-fits-all plans, instead tailoring costs to your specific cemetery’s needs. From my cost analysis, your total cost depends significantly on plot count and existing record quality, which impacts upfront data migration and setup fees. The annual subscription then scales with user licenses or total plots.

This model ensures your budget aligns precisely with your operational scale, preventing you from overpaying for unused features. It’s built for your specific requirements and growth.

2. Value Assessment & ROI

Realizing its true value.

Users consistently find the investment worthwhile, citing significant time savings and operational improvements. Compared to manual, paper-based processes, CemSites offers substantial ROI by digitizing records and streamlining sales processes. This means your staff becomes far more efficient, reducing administrative burdens and maximizing plot sales by providing accurate, accessible inventory.

What you pay for directly translates into better efficiency and data integrity, outperforming traditional methods and securing your cemetery’s future.

3. Budget Planning & Implementation

Planning your budget wisely.

Beyond the annual subscription, remember to factor in the one-time setup and data migration fees, which are crucial. From my research, these upfront costs are highly variable but critical for a smooth transition from paper records to digital. You’ll also need to account for staff training and any potential add-on modules like the mobile app.

For your budget, plan for these initial investments to ensure comprehensive implementation and avoid unexpected expenses later. This secures your long-term operational success.

My Take: CemSites’ custom pricing prioritizes a tailored solution, ideal for cemeteries needing a bespoke digital system. You invest only in features directly relevant to your operations, avoiding unnecessary costs of rigid, tiered software.

Overall, CemSites’ custom pricing reflects a value-driven approach for your needs. Contacting sales directly helps you get a precise quote and understand how this investment benefits your cemetery’s long-term operational efficiency.

CemSites Reviews

What do real CemSites users say?

To give you an honest look, I’ve analyzed numerous CemSites reviews from various platforms. This section breaks down what customers truly think, offering balanced insights into their experiences with the software.

1. Overall User Satisfaction

Users find CemSites incredibly satisfying.

From my review analysis, CemSites consistently achieves impressive ratings, averaging around 4.8 out of 5 stars. What stands out in user feedback is how satisfied customers are with the overall experience, frequently citing the smooth transition from paper. Review-wise, this high score indicates strong general approval.

This high satisfaction often stems from the clear value proposition: modernizing ancient records with user-friendly technology.

2. Common Praise Points

Support and ease stand out.

What I found in user feedback is overwhelming praise for CemSites’ customer support and ease of use. Users describe the support team as responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested during data migration and onboarding phases. Many reviews highlight the intuitive, map-based interface as a massive improvement over traditional methods.

These aspects directly translate into significant time savings and a less stressful experience for your staff and community alike.

3. Frequent Complaints

Initial setup demands effort.

While highly praised, CemSites reviews do reveal a common sticking point: the initial onboarding process. Users note the data entry and verification, especially for old, unorganized records, can be time-intensive and quite an undertaking. Some also mention niche feature requests beyond basic cemetery financials.

However, these challenges are typically one-time efforts during setup, not ongoing issues. They are manageable with proper planning.

Overall, CemSites reviews reflect an overwhelmingly positive user experience, especially regarding support and usability. What you should know is that review credibility is strong due to consistent praise patterns, making CemSites a reliable choice.

Best CemSites Alternatives

Struggling to pick the right cemetery software?

Finding the best CemSites alternatives can be tricky, as each offers unique strengths. I’ll help you navigate the competitive options to determine which solution truly aligns with your specific business requirements and priorities.

1. PlotBox

Is enterprise-grade scalability your top priority?

PlotBox suits larger, multi-location cemetery organizations needing a comprehensive operational platform. From my competitive analysis, PlotBox offers extensive operational modules and CRM, often surpassing CemSites for enterprise scope. This alternative provides deep functionality for complex, multi-site management, appealing to corporate groups.

Choose PlotBox if your large, multi-site corporation requires advanced operational tools and a higher budget for extensive functionality.

2. byondpro

Need software for both cemetery and funeral operations?

byondpro provides a broad software suite serving the entire ‘death care’ industry, including funeral homes and crematoria, not just cemeteries. What I found comparing options is that byondpro delivers deeply integrated cross-industry management, making it a unique alternative. It offers a single system for diverse operational needs.

Choose byondpro when your organization manages both cemetery and funeral home operations and requires a high-end, unified solution.

3. Ramaker (CIMS)

Is high-precision mapping your absolute top priority?

Ramaker’s CIMS stands out for its high-precision mapping services, stemming from their engineering background. From my analysis, Ramaker excels in engineering-grade cemetery mapping accuracy, offering a different focus compared to CemSites. This alternative suits those prioritizing spatial data precision above all else.

Choose Ramaker if your primary need is extremely accurate, engineering-grade mapping and you value deep civil engineering expertise.

4. CemeteryPro

Seeking a simpler, more budget-friendly option?

CemeteryPro presents itself as a more budget-focused solution, ideal for very small cemeteries with limited financial resources. From my competitive analysis, CemeteryPro offers essential features at a lower price point than CemSites. This alternative is a practical choice for basic digital record-keeping.

Choose CemeteryPro if you’re a very small cemetery with a limited budget needing only basic digital record-keeping and mapping.

Ultimately, the best CemSites alternatives for you depend on your organization’s specific scale, operational scope, and budget. Evaluate your unique needs before making a choice.

Setup & Implementation

CemSites implementation requires careful planning.

From my CemSites review, I found that implementation is a significant project requiring careful planning, especially due to data conversion. Expect a supportive process, but understand the effort involved for your team.

1. Setup Complexity & Timeline

Expect a detailed data conversion process.

The primary challenge lies in digitizing your existing paper records and maps. Cemeteries with well-organized historical data will experience a much faster implementation process. The effort depends entirely on your source material’s quality and volume, potentially taking months for extensive, scattered records, so plan accordingly.

Prepare to dedicate significant staff time for reviewing and validating the digitized data. This upfront effort ensures accuracy and a smoother transition to the new system.

2. Technical Requirements & Integration

Minimal on-premise technical demands here.

As a cloud-based SaaS solution, CemSites eliminates on-premise server needs for your implementation. Your staff simply requires a modern web browser and a reliable internet connection. For field operations, grounds crews need compatible mobile devices with cellular data plans to utilize the mapping app effectively.

Ensure your internet connectivity is robust and plan for mobile device procurement for your field teams. This prepares you for seamless field integration.

3. Training & Change Management

User adoption is surprisingly smooth here.

Training is included in your setup process, and users consistently praise its thoroughness and effectiveness. The software’s intuitive map-based design helps shorten your staff’s learning curve significantly. This positive aspect of the CemSites implementation promotes quicker team comfort and system utilization.

Leverage the included training fully and encourage staff to ask questions during the transition. The support team is readily available to assist with adoption challenges.

4. Support & Success Factors

Exceptional support during your deployment journey.

CemSites provides excellent support throughout the entire implementation, especially during critical data migration. Their team actively assists with digitizing records and maps, a service users find invaluable. Responsive, knowledgeable support drives successful outcomes and makes a difficult process remarkably manageable.

Actively engage with the CemSites support team, especially during data migration. Be prepared to collaborate on data validation for a smooth and accurate transition.

The CemSites implementation, while requiring significant data preparation, is well-supported by the vendor. This project emphasizes accurate data conversion for long-term success. Plan diligently for an effective transition.

Who’s CemSites For

Who truly benefits from CemSites?

This section of our CemSites review breaks down who benefits most, guiding you to quickly assess if its features align with your cemetery’s specific profile, team size, and operational requirements.

1. Ideal User Profile

For cemeteries ready to modernize.

CemSites is an ideal solution for small to large, single-location cemeteries eager to transition from outdated paper records. It empowers cemetery managers, sextons, and administrative staff to efficiently oversee operations, manage deeds, and respond to public inquiries. This software shines when you prioritize organized, accessible digital records.

These users achieve significant time savings by streamlining searches and gaining visual inventory control for improved sales and planning.

2. Business Size & Scale

Perfect for focused, growing operations.

From my user analysis, CemSites optimally serves single-location cemeteries, whether small family-run sites or larger municipal entities. Your business will find it best if you’re looking for a comprehensive digital system rather than basic tools. It scales well for various team sizes within a single, dedicated site.

Assess your fit if your goal is to enhance efficiency across your entire cemetery operation, regardless of current team size.

3. Use Case Scenarios

Streamlining daily cemetery operations.

CemSites excels when your primary pain points are disorganized, aging records or time-consuming manual plot searches. It transforms operations by offering online self-service for the public and genealogists. What I found about target users is that it significantly improves plot sales and planning through accurate, visual inventories.

You’ll benefit if digitizing historical data, optimizing grave lookups, and enhancing public access are your top priorities.

4. Who Should Look Elsewhere

When CemSites isn’t the best fit.

If you manage a large, multi-site cemetery corporation, CemSites might lack the enterprise-level features you need for centralized oversight. Similarly, if your organization also runs funeral homes, you may prefer a unified suite. From my user analysis, very basic or budget-constrained operations might find it more robust than necessary.

Consider platforms like PlotBox for multi-site needs, byondpro for combined funeral/cemetery management, or CemeteryPro for minimal requirements.

This CemSites review shows your success depends on your cemetery’s specific needs for modernization and digital management. Assess your operational fit carefully to ensure this powerful solution aligns with your goals.

Bottom Line

CemSites offers compelling value for cemeteries.

My CemSites review culminates in a positive assessment, recognizing its strengths and the specific scenarios where it provides immense value. I’ll guide you through its core impact.

1. Overall Strengths

CemSites excels in delivering exceptional user experience and support.

User feedback highlights CemSites’ exceptional support and intuitive, map-based interface. My analysis shows its user-friendliness delivers significant time savings, improving grave location and inquiry efficiency. This empowers staff to quickly serve community members.

These strengths translate into dramatic productivity gains, enabling quicker service and better record management for your organization and community members, justifying the investment.

2. Key Limitations

Initial data management presents a notable hurdle.

The initial data entry and verification process can be quite time-intensive for old records. Additionally, advanced financial reporting has some limitations. These are the primary drawbacks noted in user feedback when assessing the platform’s full capabilities.

While initially challenging, CemSites’ excellent support largely mitigates onboarding pain. Financial limitations are manageable trade-offs, not deal-breakers for its core cemetery focus.

3. Final Recommendation

I recommend CemSites for most cemeteries.

You should choose CemSites if your priority is modernizing paper records with an intuitive, support-backed, map-based system. From my analysis, it excels for cemeteries seeking operational efficiency. It’s ideal for those prioritizing digital preservation over full-suite accounting.

Your next step should be a demo to assess its powerful map functionality and discuss onboarding, ensuring it aligns perfectly with your specific needs.

This CemSites review provides clear guidance for your software decision. My overall confidence in this assessment is high, supporting its value for modern cemetery management needs.