If you’re dealing with a shortage of cemetery maintenance personnel, chances are you’re not alone. There’s a nationwide labor shortage and it is wreaking havoc on industries of all types and sizes—including cemeteries.
 
In fact, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there were 11.3 million job openings in the U.S. in early 2022.¹ As for cemeterians, some have reported experiencing as much as a 25% labor shortage and staffing reduction from their normal capacity.²
 
This labor shortage is having a profound effect on cemeterians. First, it’s creating a recruiting challenge. Not only are there fewer qualified candidates to fill open positions, but time and budget constraints leave little, if any, left for training workers in the customs and protocols of the industry. Second, the labor shortage has the potential to derail the when and how of cemetery maintenance.
 
“Cemeterians are doing a remarkable job in the face of this pandemic-fueled and ongoing labor shortage,” says Don Winsett, Vice President of National Business Development for The Davey Tree Expert Company. “But right now, how to handle maintenance is a very big concern. Not only are there a lack of qualified workers who understand the nuances of taking care of memorial parks, there’s a generation of long-time, loyal employees on the cusp of retirement. For some cemeterians, it can be daunting to think about how to replace someone who’s been helping them create a beautiful, tranquil place for 35 years.”
 
So, what can cemeterians like you do about the real and pressing concern of a labor shortage while also managing the cost of maintenance?
 
The answer is: plenty.

Cemeterians do not have to overpay to get quality workers, nor must they hire underqualified workers, which could put them at risk for poor performance, possible damage to the cemetery, or potential injury to workers. Cemeterians do not have to overpay to get quality workers,
nor must they hire underqualified workers, which could put them at risk for poor performance, possible damage to the cemetery, or potential injury to workers. Instead, cemeterians can outsource grounds maintenance to well-qualified caretakers who understand and are experienced in the special care that special places like cemeteries require.
 
According to Davey’s Winsett, outsourcing is a big decision that may or may not be right for you.
 
“If you’re a small, one-site cemetery with a three- or four-person crew, they can probably handle interments and groundskeeping on their own while you outsource tree care and water management,” explains Winsett. “On the other hand, if you have multiple sites or are a larger, historic cemetery, outsourcing is often a wise and cost-effective way to preserve the tradition, dignity, and excellence that last responders are known for.”
 
So, before deciding whether outsourcing is your best option, consider the following tips. These tips are intended to help you make an informed decision while also retaining much-needed control over your maintenance routines, tasks, and activities.
 
1. Consider your ‘why.’
Big decisions require big thinking and that starts with understanding the motivation behind changing the status quo. To help you uncover your answer, consider the many ways you could benefit from outsourcing landscape maintenance:

• Save money on operational expenses, including employee salaries and equipment-related costs.
• Maintain or improve curb appeal without the hassle of hiring, training, and managing in-house personnel.
• Achieve desired aesthetics without stressing out in-house maintenance staff.
• Enjoy peace of mind, knowing that you’ve created and are maintaining a peaceful and welcoming place.
• Reduce financial, personal, and property risk and liabilities.
• Free up time otherwise spent managing day-to-day maintenance tasks so you can focus on other, bigger goals.

 
2. Define your exact needs.
As cemeterians, you naturally have expectations about how to get the job of maintenance done right. After all, you’ve been doing it remarkably well until this labor shortage. The fact is, you know what you want, and you know how things should look.
 
That’s why you should partner with an outsourcing professional that understands your needs and expectations. It’s also why you should spell out in your outsourcing contract exactly what you want. Be specific about tasks, schedules, etiquette, safety, training, and the like. Make your list now, before you talk with a potential provider.
 
3. Meet with a professional.
Just like when you hire an individual, you will have to vet your professional landscape provider. Unlike individual hiring, though, it’s up to the provider to do more than demonstrate potential, they’ll have to prove competence. So, be sure to use your initial meeting to probe for answers to your most important questions.
 
“Voice your concerns and let your potential vendor respond,” advises Winsett. “Ask questions like, ‘What if I need you on a Saturday?’ and ‘What happens to our contract in a drought when you don’t mow as much, and will we lose days when it rains?’ Ask what their training protocols are. Find out if they’re invested in participating in open and ongoing communication. Get all the answers you need to make an informed decision.”
 
4. Consider the total cost of ownership.
When it comes to outsourcing, budget is a key consideration. Even more important is understanding total cost of ownership or TCO. TCO lets you look at the combination of both direct and indirect expenses, giving you information to accurately assess the value of your investment in landscaping services over time.
 
For cemeterians, TCO will typically include:

• Capital costs for equipment
• Costs for equipment repairs and replacements
• Costs for hiring and training
• Costs for services

“Knowing your true costs is essential for successful outsourcing,” explains Winsett. “It’s important to understand TCO because you likely will not reap the budgetary benefits of outsourcing in Year 1 or 2. You should, however, expect to see big gains in Year 3 or 4. At Davey, we work with our clients to understand their needs and their budget, so we can offer a customized recommendation that gives them control over their services, schedules, and their budgets.”
 
5. Think about timing.
There’s always a transition period when adjusting to a new way of doing something, and grounds maintenance is no different. One way to make the transition easier and more manageable is to implement the outsourcing service in phases.
 
“Doing a pilot project of, say, 50 acres can be a good way to start,” says Winsett. “A small-scale project allows you to get your proverbial feet wet without jumping all-in. Phasing is a technique we regularly and successfully use. It not only allows our clients to evaluate our performance, it gives us a chance to refine the process and develop mutual trust.”
 
6. Do your due diligence.
Due diligence is a preparatory process that involves the careful investigation and evaluation of a provider before engaging in a business arrangement such as outsourcing.
 
It’s important to keep in mind that outsourcing even a small portion of grounds maintenance can put a cemetery’s reputation and budget at risk. Due diligence is necessary to help mitigate those risks, and to keep both costs and project complexities in check.
 
For cemeterians, that means at least two things:

1. Get to know your potential provider.
2. Check references thoroughly.

“Making the decision to outsource can be a tough call,” says Winsett, “so take your time. Consult a professional and ask questions. Any reputable organization will take the time to understand your needs and discuss your options. Your goal is to develop a trusted relationship with your provider. After all, you want a partner that can act quickly when you need it and perform the work as you expect it. They should reflect your same values and commitment to excellence. Remember, your outsourcing solutions provider is an extension of you and your team, not a replacement.”
 
About the Author
Jill Golden is a project manager in corporate communications for The Davey Tree Expert Company, an employee-owned corporation that provides tree, utility, lawn care and environmental consulting services in the green industry throughout the United States and Canada. Golden is a graduate of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, and holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations. She resides in Cleveland, Ohio, and can be reached at jill.golden@davey.com.
 
References
1. Ferguson, S. “Understanding America’s Labor Shortage.” U.S. Chamber of Commerce, https://www.uschamber.com/workforce/understanding-americas-labor-shortage. Accessed 18 May 2022.
 
2 Catholic Cemeteries Association Diocese of Cleveland, “Maintenance Update.” Clecem, https://clecem.org/. Accessed 17 May 2022.