Cemify has an annual software subscription and a separate, one-time implementation fee.

The one-time fee depends on the work required to turn your existing cemetery maps and records into an accurate, usable digital system.

Most implementations include one, two, or all three of the following services:

1. Digital Cemetery Mapping

Commonly $4,000–$25,000+

An example of Cemify's digital mapping.

Cemify converts your existing cemetery maps, diagrams, or GIS files into an interactive digital map.

The price depends primarily on:

  • The format and quality of the available mapping materials
  • Whether individual grave spaces are already shown
  • The size and complexity of the developed cemetery
  • The consistency of the layout across different sections
  • How much interpretation is required to understand older maps

Some municipalities already have GIS shapefiles containing cemetery sections, lots, or individual grave spaces. When those files are complete and accurately structured, they can substantially simplify the mapping process, and the cemetery’s acreage may have less effect on the cost.

Other cemeteries rely on paper maps, scanned diagrams, surveys, or several generations of maps that must be interpreted and combined. In those cases, the size of the cemetery and the quality of the materials have a much greater effect on the amount of work required.

A smaller cemetery with complete, consistent grave-level maps may fall near the lower end of the range. However, cemetery size alone does not determine the cost. Even a cemetery with fewer than three developed acres may require substantial work when maps are incomplete, inconsistent, difficult to interpret, or use different layouts across sections.

A larger cemetery with accurate GIS files or clear, well-organized maps may sometimes be more straightforward than a much smaller cemetery with difficult materials.

2. Digital Record Import and Reconciliation

Commonly $2,000–$15,000+

Cemify can prepare and import records from spreadsheets, databases, or another cemetery management system.

The price depends primarily on:

  • The number of files, tables, or systems involved
  • How consistently the records are organized
  • Whether record locations clearly correspond with the cemetery map
  • How much cleanup, matching, or interpretation is required
  • Whether duplicate or conflicting information must be resolved

A single, organized spreadsheet may be relatively straightforward.

Multiple databases, inconsistent location names, duplicate records, incomplete information, or records that do not clearly correspond with the cemetery map require more review and reconciliation.

3. Paper Record Transcription

Commonly $7,000–$30,000+

Cemify can manually enter information from lot cards, deeds, burial registers, scanned documents, and other paper records.

The price depends primarily on:

  • The number of records
  • Their consistency and legibility
  • How much information each document contains
  • Whether records must be matched with cemetery locations
  • How much interpretation or research is required

Because paper collections vary substantially, Cemify needs to understand the full collection before estimating the work.

We may review representative records from throughout the collection, but those examples must reflect all of the formats and record types involved.

What Might a Complete Project Cost?

The following examples are intended to help with early planning.

Mapping-Only Project

A cemetery that needs an interactive digital map but plans to enter its own burial and ownership records may commonly spend approximately $4,000–$15,000+.

Projects near the lower end generally have accurate GIS shapefiles, clear grave-level maps, or straightforward and consistent layouts.

Difficult, incomplete, or conflicting maps may place even a small cemetery above this range.

Mapping With an Organized Digital Record Import

A cemetery needing both mapping and the import of organized digital records may commonly spend approximately $10,000–$20,000.

Projects in this range generally have understandable maps or GIS files and digital records that clearly identify their cemetery locations with relatively little cleanup required.

Full Digitization or Complex Record Conversion

A substantial project involving difficult maps, paper transcription, and extensive record reconciliation may cost $25,000–$50,000 or more.

These projects often involve thousands of records, several information sources, inconsistent location names, or significant manual interpretation.

These are planning ranges rather than fixed packages or quotes. Your proposal will identify the recommended services, included work, and exact price.

Can We Reduce the One-Time Cost?

Yes.

Many cemeteries ask Cemify to create the interactive map and then have their staff or volunteers enter burial and ownership records over time.

Others ask us to import records that are already digital while entering paper records themselves gradually.

You may also choose to:

  • Begin with one cemetery or section
  • Complete the project in phases
  • Have staff or volunteers perform record entry
  • Import only the records that are already digital
  • Postpone paper transcription until a later phase

You do not need to digitize everything at once.

We can help identify the simplest approach that creates a useful foundation while staying within your available budget.

How Do We Receive an Estimate?

To prepare a reliable estimate, Cemify needs to review the full set of materials that will be included in the project.

This generally includes:

  • All available cemetery maps and diagrams, including older maps and section-level maps
  • Any GIS shapefiles, geodatabases, CAD drawings, surveys, or other digital mapping files
  • All spreadsheets, databases, or exports that may need to be imported
  • An overview of the paper records or scanned documents to be transcribed
  • The approximate cemetery size and record count
  • Any other materials that may affect how locations and records are understood

It is important that we see the complete set—not only the newest, clearest, or most representative materials.

An older map, an additional database, or another type of paper record can substantially change the amount of work required. Likewise, an accurate GIS file may simplify work that would otherwise need to be recreated manually.

You do not necessarily need to scan and organize every paper document before contacting us. However, we do need a complete understanding of what exists, along with representative examples of each type of material.

After reviewing everything, we will explain:

  • The implementation approach we recommend
  • Which work Cemify would complete
  • Which work your organization could complete itself
  • The expected one-time cost

This allows us to provide an estimate based on the full project rather than an incomplete sample that may not reflect either the most difficult work or the most useful existing resources.

How Much Does It Cost to Set Up Cemify?