With the online grave consultation, the Cologne-based company PBSGEO offers cemetery administrations a software that simplifies the consultation and marketing of graves.
Grave consultation and marketing are essential tasks of cemetery administrations. However, the burial offerings are not always clearly structured and easy to navigate. This makes it difficult for the bereaved, who are already dealing with grief, to handle the “administrative act of grave sales.” One way to improve consultation for cemetery clients and simplify grave marketing for the administration itself is by using the online system based on friedhofsplan.de.
The online grave consultation can be accessed directly via friedhofsplan.de, whether on a home PC or with a mobile device at the cemetery. Initially, a selection of cemeteries offering burial services will appear.
In an introductory description, the cemeteries are presented, with particular emphasis on explanations regarding the cultural and historical significance of each cemetery. The cemetery selection also displays the available types of burials for each location.
Once the desired cemetery has been chosen, the second step lists the available grave types at the selected cemetery, along with explanations. Key features and costs of the grave types are compiled for the bereaved, providing a solid basis for making a decision about the grave purchase. In this step, multiple grave types that are relevant to the bereaved can be selected.
The chosen grave types are now displayed in the third step on friedhofsplan.de, with each type highlighted in different colors. Only available graves that are marked as reservable are shown. This allows the bereaved not only to gather information about the different burial options but also to directly select a suitable grave.
In the fourth and final step, the reservation is completed by providing contact details. Information about costs, grave duration, and other important details about the grave are summarized in the reservation confirmation. Optional additional services, such as quality grave design or grave care, can be proposed to the customers. This function is particularly useful for privately organized cemetery administrations, as it enables them to offer services beyond the basic grave reservation, such as specialized grave maintenance.
Completion of the Reservation
After confirming and completing the online reservation, both the bereaved and the cemetery administration will receive a confirmation email summarizing the selected options and customer data. The selected grave will be marked as “reserved” and will no longer be available to other interested parties. The actual grave sale will be processed through the existing cemetery database, as usual. Friedhofsplan.de has 13 different interfaces, making it relatively easy to integrate with existing cemetery databases. For the cemetery administration, online grave reservation is a significant support tool, as graves must first be marked as reservable before they can be offered in the online system. This ensures that cemetery occupancy can be actively managed. The sale of an incorrect grave is therefore excluded. Additionally, the online reservation system ensures that graves are not accidentally offered for sale more than once. The grave inventory is always accessible online, even on the cemetery grounds.
All Advantages at a Glance
- The sale of graves is greatly simplified with the online advisory system for the bereaved. The funeral offerings are displayed much more transparently.
- The online grave advisory service can be used 24/7 and is not dependent on the operating hours of the cemetery administration.
- Users of the system can reserve a grave independently without the involvement of the cemetery administration. It is possible for the bereaved to meet on the cemetery grounds over the weekend and select a grave for a deceased person. The reservation can then be made directly on the cemetery grounds using mobile devices.
- QR codes displayed on the cemetery grounds can provide information about the funeral offerings and connect the physical world with the digital world.
- The cemetery administration can be significantly relieved while simultaneously improving service quality. Many inquiries can already be answered through the online information system. Additionally, advisory appointments can be conducted more efficiently, as the bereaved have already engaged with the grave purchase process.
Source: Friedhofskultur, April 2023
