Croatian e-cemetery service locates the resting places of departed loved ones

Scan a QR code, type in the name of the deceased, and be directed to their grave

On All Saints’ Day this year, the residents of Đakovo will find it easier to navigate the city’s large cemetery to find the graves of their departed loved ones. On 24 October, the Croatian public utility company Univerzal Đakovo shared that a new digital service will allow citizens to review gravesite data and find out exactly where the deceased rest.

An e-cemetery service

Last year, on the eve of All Saints’ Day, Univerzal Đakovo set up two information panels at the main entrances of the City Cemetery. On these panels, one can find a QR code that, when scanned, will direct them to the company’s online e-cemetery service.

The users of the digital service can then type in the full name or surname of the deceased to find out exactly where their grave is located. In other words, the service will provide users with a detailed map, marking the resting place of the departed.

If the user turns on the location services of their smart device, the e-cemetery will show them their exact position and the direction they must take to reach the gravesite of the deceased.

Making use of modern technology

The Director of Univerzal Đakovo Stjepan Ripić commented on the innovative service, noting that it is important to follow the trends and society’s changing needs. According to him, this means that the company's operations no longer revolve solely around the physical maintenance of the cemetery.

The adoption of this online service acts as proof of the Univerzal’s desire to use modern technology to improve the experience of those who visit the cemetery. The e-cemetery reportedly draws data from a register created over the past 50 years, allowing users to find the information they need in a matter of seconds.

Aside from mapping the central City Cemetery, the service also covers the cemeteries of suburban areas. Taking this further, the entire development of the e-cemetery service took nearly two years as aerial footage of all gravesites was required before a georeferenced raster could be made.

The e-cemetery service will undoubtedly facilitate navigation and prevent people from getting lost in the 72,500 square metres that are covered by the Đakovo’s City Cemetery.