Cemetery record digitisation progressing

Published on 27 January 2022

Murray River Council is progressing with the digitisation of its cemetery records, with new software soon to be introduced to assist with management of its 6 operational cemeteries.

Over the past few months project consultants Chronical have undertaken aerial surveying at the sites to create high-res images, along with extensive ground surveying to capture GPS coordinates for each grave.

This work will provide council with detailed mapping and photography of all known plots and consolidate plot data into the new software program.

Mayor, Cr Chris Bilkey said this will improve council’s memorialisation and burial services.

“Administration of our cemeteries is a huge task undertaken by council staff, so this will significantly tidy up the creation and maintenance of accurate records”.

“Moving the records online will make things a lot easier for both staff and our community, so it’s great to see the project progressing in a timely and effective manner,” he said.

The digitisation project relates to the Barham, Mathoura Lawn, Mathoura Pioneer, Moama, Moulamein and Tooleybuc cemeteries.

The software will assist with processing new sites, burial bookings, ash interments, monumental works and customer enquiries.

Once the implementation period is complete, the cemetery management software will also provide the community with real-time access to cemetery information via Council’s website.

It is expected the new cemetery management system will be up and running and available for access over the next couple of months.