Columbarium Business Plan
At Sunset Memorial & Stone, we believe we cannot achieve full customer satisfaction until we are assured that you are making a profit from your columbarium purchase. To this end, we try to provide prospective customers with as much supporting information as we can, to help them create a realistic and persuasive plan that they can present to their boards, organizations, or communities to turn concept into reality. The process is composed of 5 simple steps.
Sunset recognizes that many of our customers excel at serving people, but may not have the financial background to be able to create a strong financial assessment of their columbarium proposals.
To assist potential customers with this skill, we have created the Sunset Memorial & Stone Financial Calculator that leads customers step by step through a spreadsheet that does all of the financial calculations for them. After inputting the required information, the calculator will tell potential customers their:
- Return on Investment (ROI)
- Number of Years to Payback
- Net Present Value (the total profit you would make in today’s dollars)
The calculator will even advise clients if they could be buying too large of a columbarium to suit their needs! Call a Sunset representative, or click to request this extremely helpful tool.
Sunset Business & Financial Plan Information
Getting Started
Getting Started
Learn MoreFinancial Plan
Financial Plan
Read More5 Step Process
5 Step Process
Read MoreROI Calculator
ROI Calculator
Read MoreColumbarium Business Plan – Getting Started
Know your Market
First and foremost, the financial feasibility of a columbarium needs to be supported by historical statistics, current population statistics and forward projections of how each community embraces cremation interment. Knowing the market and understanding the surrounding cemetery rates of interment need to be fully understood in order to identify that the going rate of interment meets community expectations and is also moving with the cost of inflation.
No cemetery wants to operate at a loss. In addition to the annual cemetery operations budget, the “Perpetual Fund” also needs to be considered, as cemeteries adapt to more forward financial planning. The pricing of each niche must address these financial considerations in order to effectively meet the cemetery’s future financial needs. One strategy to consider when deciding on the pricing of a columbarium niche is to divide the cost of each niche into thirds. The first third is applied towards the payment of the initial columbarium, the second third goes towards the payment of the Perpetual Fund and the third is applied towards the purchase of the next columbarium. Eventually all future columbaria purchases will be self-financed by previous niche purchases.
Although the trend of scattering ashes outside of cemeteries exists, there are also urns sitting on mantels and in closets awaiting interment in a different commemorative space. The columbarium can provide an interment option that may appeal to this specific group of individuals. Identifying the market need in your community is essential. Through public engagement and easy online surveys cemeteries can better understand the needs of the surrounding community and help guide a collective vision for future generations.
5 Step Process
Sunset Stone Assessment Plan. The process is composed of 5 simple steps as shown in the figure below:
Cemeteries are also a place for the Living
Landscape architectural planning should be considered prior to purchasing a columbarium.
Knowledge of foliage species relationships, site lines, visual perspective, shape, design and color is all encompassing and can directly influence columbarium appeal.
A well-designed columbarium plan anticipates future projects and plans for complimentary pieces that will enhance the existing space. Foresight and good planning are essential.
Financial Planning For Columbariums
Understanding the financial feasibility of a columbarium for a cemetery can be a daunting task. Every cemetery has its own unique needs. Budget, interment trends, space allotment, landscaping considerations and local markets are all forces that affect the cost, size and complexity of the columbarium.
Affordability and Value
Sometimes it does not pay to buy the cheapest. What initially seems like a “great deal” may come at a cost further down the road. What should be paramount in every purchase is quality craftsmanship and sound engineering. When deciding on a columbarium that needs to stand the test of time and the elements, investing in the highest quality product is imperative.
At Sunset, we are confident that our product is one of the best-engineered structures on the market. With our 100% granite exteriors, corrosion resistant materials such as Aluminum and Nylene and our concealed security hardware system, Sunset’s quality is exemplary.
With over 20 years experience and a solid reputation in the industry, we will be happy to share references from our many satisfied and loyal customers.
Custom Design Does Not Have To Be Expensive
As a custom manufacturer, each columbarium can be artistically or structurally modified in order to create that unique piece that will enhance any cemetery’s creative vision. We can customize through granite selection, roof design, artistic engravings, laser etching, interior niche configuration sizes and Aluminum or Nylene niche interior options.
We have a Sunset Columbarium that can meet your budget. Sunset delivers the highest quality and one of the most secure designs on the market to date. Our models are engineered with the latest in technology and built to accommodate North America’s extreme weather conditions. Our smaller base entry models are timeless. Cost efficiency can be found in our Nylene interior niche option, but also by effectively utilizing the columbarium footprint to its greatest advantage. We are happy to share these and other financial savings strategies with every customer.
Return on Investment Calculator
Benefits of a Columbarium
Columbaria provide interment and economic options for those in the community who have chosen cremation. Statistics show that two in five people choose cremation for either economic reasons or concern for land use and the environment.
Columbaria maximize cemetery real estate and extends the life of the cemetery. Areas not zoned for traditional or full-body burials, due to area size limitations or geotechnical conditions, are now usable due to columbaria.
Our Sunset Columbaria creates an economic avenue to assist with operation and maintenance costs so the cemetery can work toward self-sufficiency.
