Why Detecting Unmarked Graves Matters

Unmarked graves exist in cemeteries across North America for many reasons. Wooden markers deteriorate. Stone monuments sink or get removed. Historical records are lost. Without proper documentation, burial sites risk being disturbed during landscaping, construction, or expansion projects.

Locating unmarked graves gained widespread attention following announcements by Indigenous communities about potential unmarked burials at former residential school sites across Canada. These discoveries highlighted GPR’s capabilities and the importance of respectful investigation. This same technology that brings acknowledgment to painful histories serves cemeteries in their mission to preserve and protect all burial grounds.

How Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Works

Ground Penetrating Radar operates by transmitting electromagnetic pulses into the soil. As these waves travel downward, they encounter different materials, such as soil, rock, metal, and voids, and areas where the earth has been disturbed. Each material reflects the radar signal back to the surface at different rates and intensities, creating a unique signature.

The GPR unit captures these reflected signals and translates them into visual data that trained technicians can interpret. During a cemetery survey, technicians systematically walk the GPR equipment across the site in a grid pattern, collecting data that reveals what lies beneath the surface without disturbing a single inch of ground.

Different soil conditions affect GPR performance, too. Sandy or dry soils typically provide excellent penetration and clear results, while clay-heavy or saturated ground can limit depth and resolution. Weather, vegetation, and terrain also influence the survey process, which is why experienced operators understand how to adapt their approach to each unique site.

How to Find an Unmarked Grave in a Cemetery with GPR

To find unmarked graves with Ground-Penetrating Radar, the process starts by gathering whatever information exists: approximate burial dates, family records, cemetery documentation, or oral histories. Even fragmentary information helps narrow the search area.

Once the search area is identified, a GPR survey scans the ground to detect subtle changes in the soil’s structure. When a grave is dug, those layers are cut through, mixed, and replaced. The refilled soil settles differently, holding moisture and density in ways that don’t match the surrounding ground. GPR picks up those contrasts, allowing technicians to spot the exact outlines of burial shafts even when there’s no visible trace on the surface.

Finding unmarked graves with high-tech solutions like GPR allows cemeteries to create accurate cemetery plot maps of burial locations. This prevents accidental disturbance and helps families locate ancestors whose graves were forgotten. The technology is especially valuable in historical cemeteries where records are incomplete or markers have disappeared.

What GPR Can and Cannot Do

There are capabilities and limitations of ground penetrating radar when used to detect unmarked graves. GPR identifies anomalies, or areas where subsurface conditions differ from the surrounding soil. These anomalies may indicate graves, but the technology cannot definitively confirm the presence of human remains without further investigation.

A GPR survey can reveal patterns consistent with burial, like rectangular disturbances of appropriate dimensions, aligned in rows, at expected depths. These factors allow experienced technicians to assess the likelihood that an anomaly represents a grave rather than a natural feature, buried debris, or other subsurface variation.

Confirmation, however, requires additional work. Historical photographs, death records, burial registers, and oral histories can corroborate GPR findings. In cases requiring absolute verification, soil coring or archaeological excavation may be necessary, though communities often prefer to avoid invasive investigation when strong circumstantial evidence already exists.

Common Misconceptions About Ground Penetrating Radar

One frequent misunderstanding is that GPR can “see” through the ground like an X-ray. In reality, GPR data requires interpretation by trained professionals who understand radar signatures, soil science, and burial practices. What appears on a GPR readout is not a photograph but a representation of reflected electromagnetic energy.

Another misconception stems from media reports about unmarked grave discoveries. When communities announce that GPR has detected a specific number of potential graves, some people mistakenly believe that remains have been physically recovered and counted. GPR identifies anomalies consistent with burials, as mentioned previously, but physical confirmation is a separate process that may or may not follow.

Conversely, skeptics sometimes dismiss GPR findings by pointing out that the technology cannot guarantee every anomaly is a grave. While true, this criticism overlooks the fact that experienced operators can distinguish between patterns typical of burials and those created by rocks, roots, utility lines, or other subsurface features. The combination of GPR data with historical context, site characteristics, and professional expertise yields highly reliable results.

Applications of GPR in Cemeteries

Cemeteries rely on ground penetrating radar unmarked graves services for numerous practical purposes beyond simply locating unmarked burials. For example: 

• GPR surveys help cemetery managers create comprehensive digital maps that document every plot, including those without visible markers. 
• Historical preservation projects may incorporate GPR to identify boundaries of old burial grounds that may have expanded informally over time or where sections have been forgotten as communities grew and changed. This information protects burial sites from development and ensures they receive appropriate care and recognition.
• Cemeteries planning infrastructure improvements can use GPR surveys to verify that work will not disturb burial sites. 
• Cemeteries can recover and restore markers covered by soil accumulation, deliberately buried during leveling operations, or toppled by weather or vandalism. 

Our Mapping Process

Step 1 – Field Data Collection

A certified GPR site supervisor scans the cemetery, including inside coping, to confirm marked burials, locate unmarked graves, and identify any subsurface features. Alongside the GPR work, GPS coordinates are collected for surface landmarks such as headstones, coping, fences, and walkways. Each monument and feature is photographed to document the site visually and support the mapping process.

Step 2 – GIS Post-Processing

The GPS data, gravestone images, and GPR findings are combined inside the Esri ArcGIS platform. Each burial location is tagged with attribute data (names, inscriptions, and any available record details) to create an accurate, searchable map. Historical records and satellite imagery are also reviewed and layered into the geodatabase to strengthen accuracy and visual clarity.

Step 3 – Deliverables

The completed interactive WebMap is shared through a secure link and is accessible from any device. Clients also receive large-format PDF maps for archival and planning use. The final results bring together ground data, imagery, and records to create a precise, noninvasive record of the cemetery layout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can GPR confirm the presence of human remains?

GPR detects soil disturbances and anomalies consistent with burials but cannot definitively confirm human remains without additional investigation. When anomalies match expected burial patterns and are corroborated by historical records, the evidence strongly indicates graves are present.

How accurate is GPR in finding unmarked graves?

When operated by experienced technicians in suitable soil conditions, GPR is highly accurate at identifying burial-related disturbances. Accuracy depends on soil type, burial depth, site conditions, and burial age. Sandy or dry soils provide the best results.

What types of anomalies does GPR detect besides graves?

GPR identifies rocks, tree roots, utility lines, construction debris, voids, and natural variations in soil composition. Experienced operators distinguish between these anomalies and those consistent with burials by analyzing pattern, depth, orientation, size, and context.

How is GPR used in cemeteries specifically?

Cemeteries use GPR to locate unmarked graves, find buried headstones, verify plot locations before maintenance work, create accurate digital maps, establish boundaries of historic burial grounds, and assist families searching for ancestral graves.

Does GPR damage or disturb the site?

No, Ground Penetrating Radar is completely non-invasive. The equipment is rolled or carried across the surface without digging, drilling, or ground penetration.

Ready to learn more about our ground-penetrating radar services? Explore our website or contact us today for a free quote.

The post Using Ground Penetrating Radar to Find Graves appeared first on ViaVista Mapping.

As Memorial Day draws near, we take time to reflect on the immense sacrifices made by the brave men and women who served our country. Their stories live on in the memories of their loved ones—and in the quiet corners of cemeteries across the nation. At ViaVista Mapping, we’re proud to play a role in preserving those stories through GPR for cemeteries and technology that brings clarity, respect, and lasting recognition to each veteran’s final resting place.

One of the most powerful tools we use is GPR for cemeteries—ground-penetrating radar that helps locate unmarked or undocumented graves. Combined with our GPS and GIS mapping services, GPR allows us to provide cemeteries with a comprehensive and highly accurate understanding of burial grounds. This is especially important when it comes to honoring veterans, whose graves may have been lost to time, erosion, or incomplete records.

Many cemeteries still rely on aging paper maps or incomplete spreadsheets, making it difficult for families to locate loved ones—or for veterans’ groups to ensure every hero is remembered during ceremonies like Memorial Day and Wreaths Across America. With GPR for cemeteries, we can uncover hidden burial sites, correct old mapping errors, and bring forgotten veterans back into view.

GPR for Cemeteries supplements GPS Data Collection

Our process doesn’t stop there. We pair GPR results with precise GPS data and intuitive, searchable maps. This gives cemetery staff and the public easy digital access to burial records, including service information for veterans. Imagine a granddaughter searching for her grandfather’s grave and finding not only the exact location but also his branch of service and honors received—right from her phone.

In several of the cemeteries we’ve worked with, this combination of GPR for cemeteries and digital mapping has revealed previously unknown veterans’ graves. Each discovery is a chance to right a historical oversight, and to give someone’s family—and our country—the opportunity to show the respect they’ve earned.

This Memorial Day, as flags flutter gently across burial grounds and families come to pay tribute, we are proud to know that our work has made it just a little easier to find and honor those who served. It’s a privilege to help preserve these sacred spaces with accuracy, integrity, and deep gratitude.

If you manage a cemetery or work with a veterans’ organization, and you’re looking for a way to improve visibility, access, and recordkeeping, we invite you to learn more about how GPR for cemeteries can help. At ViaVista Mapping, we’re here to support your mission—and to honor every hero, one map at a time.

May we remember well, this Memorial Day and always.

See examples of our digital cemetery mapping HERE.

HERE are a few ways you and your family can remember and honor these heroes this Memorial Day

Contact us today find out more about our services and for a free quote.

The post How GPR for Cemeteries Honors Veterans appeared first on ViaVista Mapping.

The Accuracy of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Technology

Ground-Penetrating Radar is a highly accurate tool. Ground-penetrating radar can be impacted by external factors, but proper use of equipment and interpretation of readings should result in a high accuracy rate. This blog post will discuss the ways that GPR is used, how it works, what you can locate with it, and how ViaVista Mapping uses GPR in our services.

What Is Ground Penetrating Radar and How Does it Work?

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a geophysical method of testing used to determine the location of objects below the earth’s surface by measuring their reflection and transmission of electromagnetic waves. It has become increasingly common in archaeological, engineering, geologic, and environmental work over the past 30 years.

Locating Underground Anomalies with GPR Equipment

GPR uses high-frequency antennas to emit radio waves with frequencies between 1MHz and 3GHz that are transmitted vertically into the ground from antennas on top of poles or towers. 

The resolution of Ground-Penetrating Radar images can be increased or decreased through the use of different antennae frequencies. Generally speaking, higher frequencies produce more detailed images but require longer scanning times.

The energy in these waves can penetrate through many different types of soils but is reflected when it encounters an object underground such as a rock, wood, bone, or metal pipe. 

A recording device measures how long it takes for each signal to be received after being sent out. This time delay provides information about changes in soil density which allows us to accurately estimate the depth of utility lines, grave sites, and other subsurface anomalies.

GPR can be used to:

• Locate unmarked gravesites
• Utility locating
• Find underground voids
• Scan concrete
• Help with archeological digs
• Locate underground tanks, pipes, and drums
• map the depth of a shallow water table
• identify soil horizons and the bedrock subsurface
• demarcate trench boundaries
• And much more!

Find Unmarked Graves & Underground Utilities with GPR

GPR is an accurate method for finding unmarked graves or abandoned burial sites and is often used in conjunction with GPS/GIS systems to find gravesites that are not easily located, were left unmarked, or are no longer present in cemetery rosters. Cemetery Managers often hire GPR service providers to create cemetery burial plot maps and ensure their data is accurate and the land can be used to its full potential.

Ground-Penetrating Radar is also commonly utilized to detect the presence of underground utility lines such as pipelines, water tanks, phone and internet lines, gas lines, and much more. GPR is very effective for quickly locating underground utilities, and is often used to detect the presence of buried infrastructure before excavating.

Ground Penetrating Radar Equipment and Soil Content

GPR is an effective method for detecting subsurface anomalies because it is a reflection-based technique. It is important to note that GPR is not suitable for all soils, and features such as water content or soil moisture can affect the quality of data collected using this equipment.

Ground-Penetrating Radar’s penetration depth can reach up to 15 meters in sandy soil or massive dry materials such as granite and limestone. For soil with more conductive materials, electromagnetic energy dissipates faster. This causes a signal loss at depth because the electromagnetic energy is more quickly dissipated into heat. In highly conductive substrates, such as those with large amounts of clay soils, water, and/or salt, penetration depth can be only a few centimeters.

What Do the Experts Have to Say About the Accuracy of GPR?

It can be difficult to tell what GPR finds on a scan as there is no standard way to interpret the data. This makes it easy for people who are inexperienced with GPR to misinterpret what they see on the screen or make inaccurate conclusions about an area of land. 

Academic investigations of cemetery ground penetrating radar scanning conclude that GPR surveys are very useful tools for identifying unmarked graves, and that the probability of detecting their correct location is very high when conducted by experienced GPR scanning professionals. 

ViaVista Mapping is an Accurate GPR Service Provider

ViaVista Mapping is a leading provider of cemetery mapping services in the United States, including ground-penetrating radar surveys. We utilize industry-standard equipment and methods to ensure accuracy when conducting cemetery mapping and grave locating services.

Contact us today for a free quote.

The post Is Cemetery Ground Penetrating Radar Accurate? appeared first on ViaVista Mapping.

Cemetery GPR Scanning can help you visualize how your cemetery will grow and change over time. GPR (ground penetrating radar) is a great tool for cemetery mapping. GPR can be used to map out existing gravesites, identify potential problems, and plan for the future of your cemetery. 

Planning for your cemetery’s growth is vital to ensure that it will be able to accommodate the needs of your community in the future. Plus, you’ll save money in the long run by ensuring the real estate is being used effectively. In this blog post, we will answer the most common questions we hear, as well as discuss how GPR can be used for cemetery planning and what benefits it offers.

Ground-penetrating radar can be used to map cemeteries, identify potential problems, and plan for the future.

Why Is Cemetery Mapping With GPR Important?

Cemetery mapping with GPR is important for several reasons. First, it can help you understand the layout of your cemetery and how graves are arranged. This allows you to see what does and doesn’t work well and make changes accordingly. 

Additionally, GPR can help you identify potential problems, such as graves that are in danger of collapsing. Preventing these problems before they happen can save you time and money in the long run. Plus, it can offer peace of mind to cemetery visitors knowing their loved ones will not be disturbed.

Finally, cemetery mapping with GPR can help you plan for the future of your cemetery.  You can use GPR to map out future gravesites, identify burial trends, and even plan for cemetery maintenance.  By mapping out the future of your cemetery, you can be prepared for whatever comes your way.

Understanding the layout of your cemetery and the condition of graves allows you to make informed decisions about how to best care for your cemetery or memorial park.

What Benefits Does Cemetery GPR Scanning Offer For Cemetery Owners?

Mapping your cemetery with GPR is the best way to plan for its future. This method provides many benefits, including accuracy and cost-effectiveness – not just in terms of mapping but also when expanding or developing a site later on down the road.

GPR offers superior results compared to other mapping methods because it is completely noninvasive. We can get a clear understanding of the subsurface layout of the grounds without disrupting any burial sites. This means that cemetery owners can save time and money by avoiding cemetery disruptions.

Secondly, GPR is a highly accurate method of mapping. This accuracy can be vital when planning for cemetery expansion or development when you have a limited space to work with. We can get a clear picture of the cemetery layout and plan around any existing gravesites without having to worry about making mistakes.

Finally, GPR is a cost-effective method of cemetery mapping. When you compare the cost of GPR to traditional methods, such as surveying, it is clear that GPR is the superior choice. Not only is it more accurate, but it is also less disruptive and can be completed in a shorter time frame.

How Can Cemeteries Use GPR For Future Planning?

Are you planning on expanding your cemetery’s footprint? Are you planning on adding a funeral home to the premises? Are you concerned about cemetery overcrowding? Do you want to be able to map your cemetery so you can see how it will grow over time? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then cemetery mapping with GPR is the solution for you.

Not planning for your cemetery’s future can lead to all sorts of problems down the road. You could find yourself with no room to expand, or forced to close your doors because you’ve reached capacity. 

Cemetery Mapping makes it easy to understand your cemetery and see how it will grow over time. Our GPR technology makes it easy to identify potential areas for expansion and plan for the future needs of your community. Make informed decisions about your cemetery’s future today.

GPR cemetery mapping is the best way to map the future of your cemetery. Planning for the future of your cemetery allows for carefully considered cemetery expansions, development, and maintenance. GPR is the most accurate, cost-effective, and non-invasive method for cemetery mapping available today. When you map your cemetery with GPR, you can have peace of mind knowing that your cemetery will be able to serve the needs of your community for decades to come.

Cemetery Mapping With GPR – Build for the Future

Cemeteries are a sacred place for many people. They represent the final resting place of loved ones and cemetery mapping with Ground Penetrating Radar is the best way to ensure that these sites are well-maintained and can be expanded upon when needed. 

GPR cemetery mapping provides cemetery owners with an accurate picture of their cemetery’s layout, helps them identify potential problems early on, and makes it easy to plan for the future needs of the cemetery. When you map your cemetery with GPR, you are taking an important step in ensuring that your cemetery can serve the needs of your community for generations to come. 

Mapping the future of your cemetery with GPR is the best way to ensure its long-term viability. Contact us today to learn more about our mapping services and how we can help you plan for your cemetery’s future.

The post Cemetery GPR Scanning to Map the Future of Your Cemetery appeared first on ViaVista Mapping.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for cemeteries is a non-invasive technology widely used in various fields, including archaeology, geology, and civil engineering. Its application in cemeteries is particularly significant due to its ability to locate unmarked graves, map burial sites, and assist in cemetery management without disturbing the ground. This blog post delves into the workings of GPR, its benefits for cemeteries, and real-world applications, providing a comprehensive understanding of this invaluable tool.

What is Ground Penetrating Radar?

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a geophysical method that uses radar pulses to image the subsurface. It involves transmitting high-frequency radio waves into the ground and detecting the reflected signals from subsurface structures. These reflections are then analyzed to create a visual representation of what lies beneath the surface.

How GPR Works

1. Transmission: A GPR system consists of a transmitting antenna that emits radar waves into the ground.
2. Reflection: When these waves encounter different subsurface materials, such as soil, rocks, or buried objects, they are reflected back to the surface.
3. Detection: A receiving antenna captures these reflected signals.
4. Analysis: The data collected is processed and analyzed to create images or profiles of the subsurface structures.

Benefits of GPR in Cemeteries

1. Non-Invasive Exploration

GPR allows for the examination of cemetery grounds without disturbing the soil, making it an ideal tool for locating unmarked graves or burial artifacts. This non-invasive approach is crucial in preserving the sanctity and integrity of burial sites.

2. Accurate Mapping

GPR provides precise images of subsurface features, enabling cemetery managers to accurately map grave locations. This is particularly useful in older cemeteries where records may be incomplete or lost.

3. Identifying Unmarked Graves

Over time, markers can deteriorate or be removed, leading to unmarked graves. GPR helps in identifying these graves, ensuring that all burial sites are accounted for and respected.

4. Historical Research

For historians and archaeologists, GPR offers a way to explore historical cemeteries and uncover information about burial practices and site usage without excavation.

Real-World Applications

Locating Unmarked Graves

In many cemeteries, particularly older ones, unmarked graves are common. GPR has been successfully used to locate these graves, providing closure for families and helping in the maintenance of the cemetery grounds.

Cemetery Expansion

When cemeteries need to expand or undergo construction, GPR surveys ensure that no graves are disturbed during the process. This respectful approach maintains the dignity of the burial site.

Archaeological Investigations

Archaeologists use GPR to study ancient burial sites, providing insights into past cultures and burial practices without the need for disruptive digging.

Case Studies

1. African American Burial Grounds

In recent years, GPR has played a vital role in identifying and preserving African American burial grounds that were previously forgotten or neglected. These efforts have helped to honor and remember those buried in these sites, ensuring their stories are told.

2. Churchyard Surveys in the UK

In the United Kingdom, GPR has been used extensively in churchyards to map out burial plots. This has been especially important for church renovations or extensions, ensuring that no graves are disturbed during building work.

Challenges and Limitations

While GPR is a powerful tool, it does have limitations. Soil conditions, such as high clay content, can affect the accuracy of the radar signals. Additionally, interpreting GPR data requires expertise, and there can be a learning curve associated with its use.

Conclusion

Ground Penetrating Radar is an essential technology for modern cemetery management and historical research. Its non-invasive nature, accuracy, and ability to preserve the dignity of burial sites make it invaluable. As technology advances, GPR will continue to enhance our understanding and management of cemeteries, ensuring that all burial sites are respected and maintained with care.

By incorporating GPR into cemetery management practices, we can ensure that burial sites are preserved, unmarked graves are identified, and the history embedded in these sacred grounds is honored and remembered.

Contact us today find out more about our services and for a free quote.

The post Exploring Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for Cemeteries appeared first on ViaVista Mapping.

Cemeteries are home to a lot of history, with many US cemeteries having been around for hundreds of years. The passage of time affects each cemetery differently. Thanks to meticulous record-keeping and oversight, some historic cemeteries have pristine records. These cemeteries are, unfortunately, the exception and not the rule.

The fact is that unmarked graves and buried headstones are somewhat common problems for older cemeteries. But just because this information has been lost (at least temporarily) to history doesn’t mean it’s lost forever. In fact, finding unmarked burials and markers should be a priority for today’s cemeterians. Why? Accidentally selling unmarked spaces can result in embarrassing and potentially damaging situations.

The most effective way for finding unmarked burials and lost headstones on cemetery grounds is to use ground penetrating radar. Ground penetrating radar (also known as GPR) allows cemeteries to investigate large areas of land for underground anomalies, including buried markers, caskets, utilities, and other subsurface materials. Most GPR systems resemble push mowers and detect geological features and obstacles by sending a series of pulses into the ground.

The best part? GPR is non-intrusive, meaning that cemeteries can receive a detailed report on the subsurface of a given area without digging, excavating, or otherwise disrupting their grounds.

While ground penetrating radar has multiple applications, the technology is commonly used to survey cemetery grounds and can accurately detect most interments. Whether you’re surveying your cemetery grounds for headstones lost to time or trying to uncover previously unknown burials, GPR is an invaluable resource for cemetery managers. GPR can also identify changes in ground strata, underground pipes and unmarked utilities, air pockets and voids, groundwater tables, and materials like concrete, metal, plastic, and PVC.

Ground penetrating radar is commonly used when cemetery operators suspect burials are missing from their existing maps. However, that is not the only use case for GPR on cemetery grounds. Space is a big concern for today’s cemeteries, and ground penetrating radar systems are also useful when considering expansion.

Ready to scan your cemetery with GPR? Don’t forget to incorporate any findings into your cemetery maps. Ground penetrating radar gives cemetery managers important insights into the status of plots and sections at their cemetery. In turn, cemetery professionals must use this information to update their maps. Doing so will keep their sales team abreast of which plots are available to sell to local families.

Contact us today for a free quote.

The post Finding Unmarked Burials appeared first on ViaVista Mapping.

We talk with a UW-Eau Claire professor who uses deep ground penetrating radar to detect mass graves containing the remains of people who disappeared in clashes a half century ago.

Featured in this Episode

• Finding buried bodies around the world using ground-penetrating radar. Finding unmarked burial sites requires great sensitivity and specialized equipment. We talk with a UW-Eau Claire professor and student who research ground-penetrating radar to locate graves around the world. Original air date: Oct. 9, 2023

Finding Unmarked Graves from Wisconsin Public Radio

Want to know more? Our GPR Services are perfect for finding unmarked graves, locating buried headstones, and burial vaults. Ground Penetrating Radar Mapping Services are ideal for verifying casket positioning as well as establishing lost or available grave space and markers that have moved.

Many cemeteries have unmarked gravesites, lost graves, old burials, along with the easily identified more recent burials. Our ground penetrating radar services can locate known (marked), unmarked, and lost graves in cemeteries without disturbing these sensitive sites. 

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a non-destructive method that identifies subsurface features, without drilling, probing, or digging. The GPR transmitter and antenna emit high-frequency pulses of radio waves into the ground. These pulses have a specific depth penetration rate that is dependent on the dielectric properties of the soil. The transmitted energy is reflected from buried objects or distinct contacts between different earth materials. The antenna then receives the reflected waves and the resulting soil profile is displayed as bands by the digital control unit.  

 Our training and experience enables us to interpret this data to identify unmarked burials and sub-surface anomalies. 

Ground penetrating radar services help with cemetery exploration and grave locating that provides critical information for creating an accurate burial plot map and planning for the cemetery’s future. Preserve history and improve your recordkeeping with careful marking of the unidentified graves in your cemetery.

Proper cemetery records are needed to support people in search of graves to access information and know the exact layout of the burial plots. We integrate the data collected during ground penetrating radar scans into an innovative mapping system to create burial plot maps built on the Esri ArcGIS platform resulting in cemetery plot maps with detailed information that includes the location of unmarked burials.

ViaVista Mapping provides you with a visually appealing cemetery plot map that is known for its precision and quality. The dynamic, searchable burial plot map can be accessed on any connected device or computer through a weblink which greatly improves stakeholder engagement.

How GPR Will Help You:

Our ground penetrating radar service is a safe and non-invasive way to collect significant data, is the industry standard method for achieving a better understanding of your cemetery, and generates critical information for development of an accurate cemetery burial plot map.   

Contact us today find out more about our services and for a free quote.

The post Finding Unmarked Graves appeared first on ViaVista Mapping.

Cemetery GPR Scanning – what is it? GPR stands for Ground Penetrating Radar. This technology allows us to scan the ground to see what is hidden beneath the surface. It’s a non-invasive method of detecting objects buried deep in soil, sand, or gravel.

Archaeologists and other scientists use cemetery GPR scanning to detect structures, objects, and even human remains in an area the naked eye cannot see.

One of the most popular uses of GPR scanning in the cemetery industry is to find unmarked graves or graves without headstones. GPR scanning allows for rapid identification of these graves without disturbing the environment or causing harm to anyone who works on site.

Why should you care about Cemetery GPR Scanning?

Because it can help you find unmarked graves and identify human remains, which are often the most important part of a burial site, many people want to be buried next to family members. Still, if the person was buried in an unmarked grave or if their remains were moved from an original burial plot, it may be difficult for family members to find their loved one’s final resting place.

GPR scans can also be used to determine whether or not bones have been disturbed by root growth or ground movement over time—which can happen when trees grow over old cemeteries and cause damage to the remains.

What is GPR?

Using ground penetrating radar, or GPR, you can locate underground anomalies like concealed objects, water or utility lines, and unmarked burial sites without disturbing the ground. To make scans and find underlying elements, these radar devices fire a series of pulses over a predetermined area (say, a part of a graveyard).

GPR is a safe and reliable surveying tool for sensitive locations since it examines areas of interest without digging, excavating, or upsetting the ground. It can be used to find groundwater tables, air pockets, voids, subterranean pipes, geological features and changes in the strata, concrete, metal, plastic, and PVC materials.

Finding unmarked graves with GPR

GPR, commonly known as ground penetrating radar, is a non-intrusive sub-surface imaging technology. It offers a very thorough visual profile of what is beneath the surface. GPR services are ideal for detecting burial vaults, unmarked graves, and buried headstones. Ground Penetrating Radar Mapping Services are excellent for determining lost or available cemetery space, markings that have relocated, and coffin location. Additionally, Ground Penetrating Radar Services will provide a composite sitemap identifying grave sites, placements, and depth for cemeteries with lost or destroyed burial records.

Adding GPR findings to your cemetery maps

Even ancient cemeteries use contemporary technology. GPR results can be simply entered into your online database if your cemetery uses management software with digital maps. By incorporating this information, cemeteries may see in real-time which plots are taken up or blocked, which ones have been sold, and which ones are still open.

The GIS cemetery mapping team at ViaVista Mapping works with cemeteries to analyze GPR scans and pinpoint the precise GPS positions of unidentified burials, headstones that have been buried, and other abnormalities. The GIS cemetery mapping team then fills historical record gaps by adding this information to each cemetery’s online map.

What distinguishes seismic reflection from GPR?

GPR operates under similar principles to seismology. The primary distinction is that ground-penetrating radar detects subterranean structures using electromagnetic energy rather than the acoustic energy of seismic waves.

Seismology refraction surveys capture signals that refract through the earth and return to the surface. These acoustic waves are bent back towards the surface by an increase in seismic velocity in the ground, which is connected to the elastic characteristics and density of the earth. Seismic imaging is frequently used to map horizontal structures below the surface, although it is less useful for identifying vertical features.

Learn more about our GPR services HERE.

Find more information about preserving cemeteries.

Contact us today find out more about our services and for a free quote.

The post Cemetery GPR Scanning appeared first on ViaVista Mapping.

Joyce Haynes of the Shelt Noel Cemetery Board said 46 unmarked graves were recently discovered at the cemetery.

The board hired Scott Field of Via Vista Mapping, a GIS web map specialist, to bring ground-penetrating radar to search for unmarked graves.

Haynes said Field discovered the following information:

• The oldest grave goes back to 1865.

• All the burials face east. Ninety percent of graves in the U.S. face east. In the Shelt Noel Cemetery, the inscriptions face away from the graves and can’t be seen when standing at the grave’s foot. This is a practice used in the Midwestern part of the U.S.

• Marked and unmarked graves were placed in horizontal rows, which is by far the standard in America.

• A remarkable feature of the 46 unmarked graves was how deep they were — as deep as eight feet, far deeper than modern graves.

• He said the ground is rocky, and it was extremely difficult to pierce the surface even to place the marker flags, but after the first few inches, the soil was soft. He thinks that might be why early settlers thought this might be the best place for a cemetery.

Haynes said Field is making a web link that will be available for people to review the results of his work. There will be a QR code embedded in the ground at the cemetery that people can scan when they visit.

Regarding identifying the unmarked graves, Haynes said in the past, unmarked graves have traditionally been identified by local folk who know someone buried at the cemetery. She said it will be a mystery until someone comes forward.

Shelt Noel Cemetery is a private cemetery located on H Highway, with a few local families having members buried there. There is one veteran buried there, Haynes said.

See the map for this cemetery HERE and additional featured maps HERE.

Finding unmarked graves in the news as reported by The McDonald County Press.

Contact us today find out more about our services and for a free quote.

The post Finding Unmarked Graves at Cemetery appeared first on ViaVista Mapping.

The process of creating a digital burial plot map enables cemetery operators to understand the composition of those interred at the cemetery. Much can be learned by analyzing the data of the cemetery demographics. For this cemetery, our cemetery mapping process resulted in documenting the presence of 145 veterans and 11 individuals who lived to 100 years of age and beyond!

The cemetery’s existing burial plot map consisted of a collection of hand-written information entered into a paper block grid, along with a hard-copy roster and an entry in the USGenWeb Archives. By conducting ground penetrating radar scans of the cemetery, collecting GIS data, and developing an ArcGIS cemetery mapping application, we provided our client with a dynamic, user-friendly WebMap cemetery map along with professional, cartographic, large-format print files.

In addition to being an important historic landmark, the Glencoe Geiger cemetery serves as a home for threatened protected species, including the gopher tortoise and sandhill cranes.

Contact the ViaVista Mapping experts today to learn more about the costs associated with our mapping services and get a free estimate for your project.

Learn more about preserving African-American historic places HERE. Get more resources for preserving a historic cemetery HERE. You can learn more about what variables are considered when determining the cost of a cemetery mapping project HERE.

The post BURIAL PLOT MAP FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN CEMETERY appeared first on ViaVista Mapping.