The interment industry plays a crucial role in honoring the departed and providing solace to grieving families. As the industry evolves, so do the regulations governing it. In 2023, the New South Wales (NSW) Government introduced the Interment Industry Scheme as part of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Regulation 2022. In this blog post, we will explore the key elements of the scheme and how Chronicle, a cutting-edge technology solution, can assist cemeteries in NSW in complying with the new regulations seamlessly.
What is the Interment Industry Scheme?
The Interment Industry Scheme is a licensing system for cemetery and crematorium operators. The scheme aims to strengthen the interment sector and protect customers by setting clear standards. More importantly, the Interment Industry Scheme is designed to help families make informed choices about the interment of their loved ones.
Read below to learn about the requirements for the Interment Industry Scheme 2022:
- Consumer Contracts: Cemeteries must provide clear and easily understandable consumer contracts. This ensures transparency in terms of the services offered and the associated costs. Customers should have a clear understanding of what they are paying for and any contractual obligations involved.
- Cemetery Maintenance: The Interment Industry Scheme sets minimum standards for cemetery maintenance. It is essential for cemeteries to maintain their facilities to a high standard. In addition, it also ensures a well-maintained and accessible environment for visitors. This includes regular upkeep of grounds, pathways, landscaping, and signage.
- Pricing Transparency: Cemeteries must provide pricing transparency to customers. It is important for customers to have a clear understanding of the costs associated with burial services and related offerings.
- Customer Service: The Interment Industry Scheme emphasises the importance of consistent delivery of quality customer service. Cemeteries play a vital role in supporting grieving families during difficult times. Well-trained and compassionate staff are essential in meeting the emotional and practical needs of families.
- Religious, Cultural, and Spiritual Principles: Cemeteries must respect and accommodate the religious, cultural, and spiritual requirements of different communities. This includes understanding and adhering to the unique practices and traditions associated with different faiths and cultures. Additionally, the Interment Industry Scheme recognises the significance of Sorry Business to Aboriginal people and emphasises the importance of promoting understanding and respect.
How Chronicle can help your cemeteries comply with the Interment Industry Scheme?
Chronicle offers a comprehensive solution that can assist cemeteries in NSW in achieving compliance with the Interment Industry Scheme. Our compliance software is specifically designed to help cemeteries comply with the interment industry scheme and avoid any potential violations.
Here is what Chronicle can do to help cemeteries comply with the regulation:
- Easily Accessible Information: With Chronicle’s personalised online cemetery maps, visitors can quickly search for deceased individuals, utilise GPS-guided walk-to-grave functionalities, and access online maps for seamless navigation.
- Effective Monument Safety & Maintenance: Chronicle’s online inspection module offers a comprehensive solution for managing monument safety and maintenance. Moreover, by recording GPS coordinates for each monument, operators can efficiently track inspections and maintenance activities.
- Efficient Asset Management: Chronicle simplifies the process of managing cemetery assets through its advanced mapping system. Operators can accurately map, manage, and maintain cemetery assets such as burial plots, memorials, and infrastructure. Therefore, this facilitates efficient asset management, streamlining operational processes, and reducing administrative burdens.
- Transparent Pricing: Chronicle enables cemetery operators to offer detailed plot locations and prices to customers through an online plot purchase flow. So, this transparency empowers customers to make informed decisions about their burial arrangements, creating trust and confidence in the services provided by the cemetery.
- Improved Operations Efficiency: Chronicle’s platform significantly improves operational efficiency for cemetery operators. Furthermore, by centralising communication with public inquiries, funeral directors, and grounds staff, operators can save valuable time and resources.
- Precise Cemetery Mapping: Accurate cemetery mapping is crucial for strategic planning and efficient operations. So, this detailed mapping helps operators identify available burial spaces, plan future expansions, and optimise resource allocation, leading to more efficient use of the cemetery’s land and infrastructure.
Compliance with the Interment Industry Scheme is a critical component of cemetery management in New South Wales. Our software and services are designed to help cemeteries provide the best possible service to cemeteries of all sizes, while maintaining the highest standards of safety and respect to comply with the new regulation. So, if you are looking for a partner to help you stay compliant with the interment industry scheme, look no further than Chronicle.