How To Place and Manage Plot Holds

Included in this article:

Introduction

Sometimes families are still deciding whether to purchase a plot but want to ensure it isn’t sold in the meantime. Plot Holds allow staff to temporarily reserve a plot for a set number of days, automatically releasing it if no action is taken by the expiration date:

When a hold expires, the plot’s status automatically returns to its original state, a note is added to the record, and the staff member who placed the hold receives an email notification.

How to Turn On Plot Holds

To enable plot holds for your cemetery:

  1. Navigate to Account & System Settings in the upper right menu.

    Click Plots in the left-hand menu.

    Make sure you have a status added for held plots (commonly “Hold” or “Reserved”).

    • If needed, click Add Plot Status and create one.
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and toggle on Enable Plot Holds.
  3. When prompted, confirm the default hold duration (e.g. 30 or 45 days) and choose the status that plots should change to when held.
  4. Click Save Changes.

Once enabled, the hold settings will apply automatically whenever a plot is placed on hold.

How to Place a Hold

Once plot holds are enabled, any plot without burials, owners, or designations can be placed on hold directly from the map.

  1. Open your map and click on the plot you wish to hold.
  2. In the plot information sidebar, click More > Place on Hold.

  3. In the popup, confirm the hold duration and optionally add a note — for example:

    “Holding this for John Doe – 555-222-1212”

    (Notes serve as internal context for your team.)

  4. Click Place Hold.

The plot’s status will immediately change to your designated hold status, and a note will be created showing the expiration date and any notes you added.

How Holds Are Released

Plot holds can be released in three ways:

  1. Automatic release: When the hold duration expires, Cemify automatically returns the plot to its original status, adds a note, and sends an email notification to the staff member who placed the hold.
  2. Manual release: Staff can release a hold early by clicking More > Release Hold on the map.
  3. Status change: If a plot’s status changes for any other reason (for example, if an owner or burial is added), the hold is automatically released to prevent conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I change the default hold duration later?

A: Yes. Go to Account & System Settings > Plots, click Edit Settings next to “Enable Plot Holds,” and adjust the duration or hold status.

Q: Can I place holds on multiple plots at once?

A: Not at this time. Holds are placed one plot at a time to ensure accurate tracking and reduce mistakes.

Q: Can I see which plots are currently on hold?

A: Yes. Plots with an active hold will display their hold status on the map and in plot reports.

Q: What happens when a hold expires?

A: The plot automatically returns to its original status, and the person who placed the hold receives an email notification confirming the release.