Cemetery Data Import Guidelines

💡 Download the Template:

Start with our Cemetery Data Import Template — a ready-to-use spreadsheet that helps structure your cemetery records for import into Cemify.

Data imports allow you to bring in cemetery records in bulk. This can be especially helpful when you’re first digitizing your cemetery’s records.

If you’re starting from scratch, we recommend downloading our Cemetery Data Import Template and using that as your starting point.

If you already have a spreadsheet, just make sure it follows the guidelines below.

🗂 Map Classifiers

Cemify uses Map Classifiers to identify each plot.

For most cemeteries, these are things like Section, Lot, and Plot — but your setup may vary.

No matter what classifiers you use:

• Each classifier should have its own column.
• Each individual grave should be on its own line.

Don’t combine grave numbers in a single cell or merge classifiers into one column:

And don't combine Sections and lots:

Do give every grave its own line and every classifier its own column:

🏷 Status

The Status column shows the current state of each plot.

If mapping is included in your system, the status also determines the plot’s color on the map.

You can create your own status labels, but most cemeteries use the following:

Be consistent with your status labels.

We recommend adding a dropdown list in your spreadsheet to help ensure accuracy.

👤 Plot Owners

A Plot Owner is someone who owns burial rights to a plot — even if no burial has occurred.

For example: if John Smith purchases four spaces in Lot 1, his name and address should appear on all four lines of your spreadsheet.

This ensures that all four records are combined into one Plot Owner record during import.

Don’t add the address on only one of the four lines:

This would create separate owner records because the details don’t match.

Do include the exact same owner name and address information on each line:

⚰️ Burials

Burials are records of interments within the cemetery.

If there are multiple burials in the same plot, list each burial on its own line — using the same map classifiers.

📅 Dates

All dates should follow the format MM/DD/YYYY (for example: 1/25/1954 ).

If dates aren’t formatted this way, they’ll still import, but won’t work correctly with filters or sorting tools. 

➕ Additional Fields

The Data Import Template is just a starting point.

You can:

• Add extra columns for any information you’d like to track, or
• Remove columns you don’t need.

Cemify’s import system is flexible — the key is keeping your data structured and consistent.

🔄 Updating Existing Records (Bulk Updates)

Cemify can also run imports to update existing Plots, Burials, or People records.

When updating existing records:

• Your spreadsheet should include the ID of the record you want to update
  • Burial imports → Burial ID
  • People imports → Person ID
  • Plot imports → Plot ID
• Only the columns you include will be updated, and values will be overridden during import.
• You may include as many fields as you wish — names, dates, custom fields, link fields, etc.

This approach allows us to update thousands of existing records quickly and safely.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How should I send my import file?

For files 15MB or smaller, you’re welcome to email them directly to:

support@cemify.com

If your file is larger than 15MB, just let us know and we’ll send you a secure upload link for transferring the file safely.

Can Cemify process imports on our behalf?

Yes. Most cemeteries prefer to have Cemify manage their imports to avoid formatting issues or accidental overrides.

This work counts toward your included annual service hours as defined in your service plan.

Can we update existing records through a bulk import?

Yes. We do this frequently.

Just send a spreadsheet that includes:

• The ID of each record you’d like updated
• Only the fields you want to change

We will update only those fields during import.

Note: Imports must reference Cemify’s system IDs (Burial ID, Person ID, or Plot ID). Custom fields — such as locally assigned numbers or IDs — cannot be used to match records during an import.

For Link Fields (such as FindAGrave Link): These require a specific internal format, so please just include the record ID and the link values you want applied, and Cemify staff will handle the import formatting.

Can one CSV update multiple fields at once?

Yes. Any fields included in your spreadsheet will be updated.

Can we send SQL-style update instructions instead of a CSV?

No. We cannot run SQL updates directly.

All imports and updates must be provided in a structured spreadsheet.

Can we perform the import ourselves?

At this time, we recommend having Cemify manage imports to avoid accidental data loss or overrides.

✅ Next Steps

Once your spreadsheet is ready:

1. Review it to ensure consistency across all columns.
2. Double-check that every plot has its own line and classifiers are separated.
3. Send your file to our team.

If you’re unsure or want us to take a quick look before entering too many records, we’re happy to help.

📩 Email us at support@cemify.com

We’ll review your spreadsheet and make sure you're on the right path.