Across the country, many cemeteries rely on volunteers to help preserve their history and support day-to-day operations. Volunteers play a vital role in ensuring these sacred spaces remain cared for and accessible for future generations.

For many community, church, and nonprofit cemeteries, volunteers bring not only their time but also a deep connection to the local history and families represented there. When volunteers feel connected to the mission and are given meaningful ways to contribute, their impact can be extraordinary.

Connect Volunteers to the Mission

People are most engaged when they understand the purpose behind their work. Here at Cemify, our mission is to empower cemetery managers everywhere to preserve their community and customers. Strong relationships are at the heart of everything we do.  We understand that cemeteries are more than just burial places. 

Sharing stories about notable individuals buried there, highlighting veterans, or explaining the importance of preserving records can help volunteers see the significance of their contributions. When volunteers realize they are helping preserve the history of a community, their work takes on deeper meaning.

How Do I Find Volunteers?

Many successful cemetery preservation efforts grow into vibrant community initiatives. Local historical societies, genealogy groups, churches, and schools often have members who are eager to help preserve local history.  Retired individuals are also often looking for meaningful ways to stay engaged and contribute their time and experience, and cemetery preservation can provide a wonderful sense of purpose.

Often, building a volunteer team happens organically. Think about the people who may already have a connection to the cemetery or an interest in its history. Has anyone ever mentioned someone you should connect with regarding the cemetery? Has a visitor ever come into your office or called with a strong interest in genealogy? If your cemetery is associated with a church, are there parish volunteers who might be interested in helping? You might also consider reaching out to former cemetery staff who are now retired but may still have the knowledge and desire to support the project.

Create Meaningful Roles

Volunteers bring a wide range of talents and interests. Some enjoy historical research, while others prefer hands-on or  outdoor work. Understanding this allows volunteers to contribute in ways that match their skills and passions.

Common volunteer roles include:

• Entering data to help digitizing burial records
• Scanning historic records and attaching them to database records
• Photographing headstones
• Helping verify burial locations on maps by walking the grounds
• Supporting public outreach or historical tours

When volunteers know their work has a clear purpose, they are more likely to stay engaged.

Make Participation Easy and Fun

Volunteers often have limited time, and being rigid can discourage participation. It is often helpful to find someone who likes to coordinate and organize volunteer meetings.  Being flexible with meeting times and offering a space for volunteers to meet can be very helpful.  

Having lunch at a local restaurant or gathering for a social meeting can help build even deeper connections within the group. Creating T-shirts with the cemetery logo is another great way to help volunteers feel included and part of the team. These can also be worn at community events, such as open houses, and raise awareness about the cemetery’s work.

Celebrate Progress

Recognizing the work volunteers do is one of the best ways to sustain engagement. Sharing milestones, such as the number of records digitized or publishing the public portal, helps volunteers see the tangible impact of their efforts.

Acknowledging volunteers in newsletters, social media, bulletins can also reinforce the importance of their contributions. Even small gestures of appreciation go a long way in building a strong volunteer culture. 

Preserving History for Future Generations

Volunteers play an essential role in ensuring that the stories and histories preserved in cemeteries are not lost over time. With the right support, volunteers can help transform preservation efforts into lasting legacies.

When communities come together to care for their cemeteries, they are doing more than maintaining a landscape, they are safeguarding the history and heritage of generations past.