| Read time: 5 mins
When it comes to technology, standing still is never truly an option.
So it's surprising that for many deathcare and bereavement services providers, outdated, unsupported or desktop-based cemetery software has become “good enough”. After all, it’s familiar, functional (most of the time), and (seemingly) cheaper than switching or upgrading.
But the truth is that continuing to rely on older or outdated cemetery software carries a great deal of risk.
From data breaches to lost opportunities, the cost of doing nothing adds up - hitting your pocket, your reputation, and your potential for growth.
Here, we explore the dangers of outdated cemetery software, the real costs of ignoring them, and why switching to a modern, cloud-based cemetery software solution is a must.
Before we get to the risks, a couple of quick definitions:
What do we mean when we say unsupported software? It’s software that’s no longer maintained by its vendor or developer. For you, that may mean a cemetery management software solution for which your vendor has stopped issuing patches or upgrades, is uncommunicative, or may have even gone out of business. At which point, you’re looking at a single point of failure.
But, hey, it still ‘works, kind of’, so why change it? Well, for starters, it’s no longer receiving:
Security patches - fixes for vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit;
Bug fixes - repairs for errors or glitches in the system;
Updates - improvements, new features, or compatibility with new hardware/operating systems;
Customer support - technical help or training from your service provider.
This is typically software that’s installed directly onto each individual computer or a local server, rather than being accessed through the cloud or a web browser.
Here, your precious data is stored either on that machine or on an on-premise server. Backups and updates are usually manual - for example by downloading patches, or by copying files, and access is limited to the device(s) where the software is installed.
Fine, but what happens when you want to start scaling or need to access your data remotely and here’s hoping your IT infrastructure doesn’t need to be maintained or upgraded to account for new operating systems or evolving service requirements.
A legacy cemetery software system might typically utilize older software, hardware, or infrastructure - often because it’s familiar, deeply integrated into daily operations, or considered difficult or expensive to replace (even though it’s outdated compared to current technology).
It may be something you’ve inherited from previous management or owners and it’s limiting where you want to get to.
The Cost of Doing Nothing
With each passing day, week, month, or year, each of these scenarios increase your exposure to risk.
Without the necessary updates, systems become unstable, insecure, and incompatible with new technologies. Without accessibility or scalability, you’re opportunities are limited and you’re falling behind others in your profession.
So with that in mind, let’s dig a little deeper into the true costs of inaction.
The cost of doing nothing: Cyber attacks, data loss, ransomware, lawsuits, reputational damage, financial penalties.
Outdated cemetery software dangers often begin with the security of your data.
Burial records, family contact information, contracts, financial data, and more - all open to unauthorised access without the critical patches and updates to keep them secure.
There are 600 million cyberattacks per day (and rising).
Vulnerable servers increase the prospect of unauthorized access to your critical, confidential information, the tampering with or destruction of irreplaceable data, the interruption of important functions and daily operations, or even a complete shutdown of your network.
And the compliance and liability risk of running obsolete workstations pales in comparison to that posed by running obsolete servers.
A cloud-based cemetery software solution can reduce many of these risks by providing modern security features: encryption, multi-factor authentication or single sign-on, and proactive monitoring, with regular patches, updates, or fixes.
The cost of doing nothing: System failures, irrecoverable records, interrupted operations, unexpected costs
If you do have someone providing ongoing support to your system then it’s likely costing you, but it still doesn’t mean you’re 100% safe from a system failure.
You may be running software that’s supported by the vendor or a third party IT support provider, but if that software is built on a database that’s retired then you’re still at risk.
We can look back to Microsoft VisualFoxPro as just one example:
In 2010, the mainstream support for Microsoft Visual FoxPro stopped. Microsoft continued to support until 2015, with the official position on a retired product being that customers are, ‘highly encouraged to move to a supported product as soon as possible.’
So while only Microsoft can ensure that systems built on FoxPro are secure, without critical patches and updates, no matter what support you may or may not have in place, you’re still at risk of system failure.
In short, 'supported' software isn’t always safe or stable if it’s built on outdated infrastructure.
And that could have a massive impact on your business. Setting aside the potential for lost or corrupted data, without access to your data, you’re running blind. That can lead to a host of issues, including: more errors, the costs of a temp fix to the system or procuring a new one entirely, plus under pressure staff and a decrease in productivity.
An unstable system is a problem waiting to happen.
The cost of doing nothing: Rising maintenance bills, unpredictable expenses, lengthy downtime.
Unexpected costs can wreak havoc on your cashflow and leave an unwelcome dent in your bottom line.
And by continuing to use outdated or unsupported software that’s exactly where you're headed.
It might feel that sticking with the system you already have is cheaper, being , ‘already paid for’, but in reality, that’s a false economy.
Hidden costs soon pile up - emergency IT fixes, countless hours spent troubleshooting, staff overtime, lawsuits due to mistakes made, implementing a new system.
Consider this scenario - you spend thousands each year on a third-party IT provider to keep your legacy system limping along. When the system crashes during your busiest season, emergency recovery costs skyrocket. Your service levels drop while you try to get it sorted out. Your team is under pressure and mistakes are being made.
In the end, you realise you’re spending more on maintaining outdated software than you would be on a modern, cloud-based solution with predictable pricing.
The cost of doing nothing: limited scalability, compatibility, integration, missed opportunities, misalignment with digital strategies
The combination of outdated software and an unsupported infrastructure can mean you’re constantly firefighting - battling the limitations of your old systems, instead of seizing opportunities to modernize within a thriving digital ecosystem.
Valuable time and money are wasted on quick fix patches, workarounds, or parallel manual systems, while digital opportunities such as online self-service, mapping integrations, and data analytics remain out of reach.
Not only this, but from a practical perspective, once there’s a need to upgrade your hardware there is a good chance you won’t be able to run your old software on it.
Running a retired database on a new computer that has the latest version of its operating system won’t automatically work. That’s because the software will be untested on any new operating systems that have been released since it became obsolete.
Let’s say for example you’re operating within a municipality or local council.
Modern municipalities and local authorities are increasingly adopting integrated digital strategies to improve services, streamline operations, and meet transparency and accessibility goals. And cemetery operations aren’t isolated - they’re part of that broader portfolio of services.
Your IT team discovers that your cemetery software won’t run on the newly issued laptops without costly customization, because it depends on an outdated operating system. With each upgrade, the problem worsens: more errors creep in, staff waste hours reconciling files, and management sees others offering online services they can’t match.
Eventually, you realize your legacy system is not only holding back growth but actively causing you to miss opportunities to serve their community better.
The good news, should it not be apparent at this point, is that you don’t have to keep living with the dangers of unsupported or outdated systems. By switching to a modern, cloud-based cemetery management software solution, you can eliminate all of these risks and replace them with stability, security, and room for growth.
Stronger protection = fewer data breaches and security vulnerabilities
A cloud partner can provide security updates and monitoring, with regular updates that close the gaps that older or unsupported software leave exposed.
Automated backups and reliability = less data loss and system instability
With records stored securely in the cloud, even if a local device fails, none of your crucial data is lost. This ‘built-in disaster recovery’ keeps you running and resilient in the face of unpredictable or exceptional circumstances.
Predictable budgeting = no surprises and money saved in the long-term
Instead of unexpected IT repair bills or costly workarounds, cloud solutions are delivered at a stable, predictable rate.
Real-time access anywhere = no accessibility issues
Staff can securely access records in the office, at the cemetery, or remotely, reducing bottlenecks, improving communication and collaboration, and enhancing service to families.
Scalability and integration = fewer limitations
A cloud solution can expand seamlessly as you grow, and integrate more seamlessly with financial ERPs or digital self-service tools.
Alignment with the future = no missed digital strategy opportunities
Moving to the cloud enables online self-service, interactive maps - opening up potential new revenue streams and providing services that families increasingly expect..
Every risk of outdated or unsupported cemetery software - from instability to financial strain - has a direct solution in the cloud. By switching to a cloud-based cemetery management system, cemeteries can move from fighting old problems to building a foundation for growth, confidence, and long-term digital success.
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