How Cemetery Fee Calculation Works

[Screenshot: Cemetery Fees section in Settings with "By Size" selected, showing the calculation fields and minimum fee checkbox]

Cemetery fees are automatically added to an order when the selected cemetery has fees enabled. The fee is calculated based on the cemetery's settings and the monument's dimensions. You configure this in Settings → Cemeteries under the Cemetery Fees section.

Fee types

Toggle on Does this cemetery charge a fee? to enable it. You can add multiple fees to a single cemetery. For example, you can add a size-based fee and several fixed fees (like "Flat Marker Fee" or "Double Marker Fee"). In the New Quote, you will see a dropdown of all the fees configured for that cemetery and you can pick one or multiple. Size-based fees only become selectable once monument dimensions are entered. Fixed fees are always selectable.

You have two fee types:

• By Size calculates the fee automatically from the monument's dimensions.

• Fixed Fee charges a flat dollar amount regardless of the monument's size.

How By Size calculation works

First, choose what to calculate from: Foundation Dimensions or Base Size.

Then choose the unit type: Square Inch, Square Foot, or Linear Foot. Enter the price per unit.

Here's how each unit type calculates using a 48" x 20" foundation as an example:

• Square Inch multiplies width by height, then multiplies by the price per square inch. 48 x 20 = 960 square inches x $0.40 = $384.00.

• Square Foot multiplies width by height, divides by 144 to convert to square feet, then multiplies by the price per square foot. 48 x 20 = 960 / 144 = 6.67 square feet x $8.00 = $53.33.

• Linear Foot takes the longest side of the base or foundation, divides by 12 to convert to feet, then multiplies by the price per linear foot. For a 48" x 20" foundation: 48 / 12 = 4 feet x $5.00 = $20.00.

Minimum fee for small stones

Toggle on Apply minimum fee for small stones and enter a minimum dollar amount. If the calculated fee comes out lower than the minimum, the system uses the minimum instead.

For example, if the minimum is $40 and the calculated fee is $25.60, the order will show $40.00.

Fee changes don't affect existing orders

When you update a cemetery's fees in Settings, the new fees only apply to new orders. Existing orders keep the fees that were set when they were created.

This is called fee snapshotting. Every order saves a snapshot of the cemetery fees at the moment it was created or last edited. This protects you and your customers from unexpected changes to their totals.

How it works

When you create an order, the cemetery fees selected are saved onto the order. Those amounts are frozen on that order.

When you update a cemetery's fees in Settings, only new orders will use the updated fees. All existing orders keep their original snapshot.

When you edit an existing order, the editor automatically shows the current cemetery fees. Saving the order updates the snapshot to match. If you close the editor without saving, the original snapshot stays unchanged.

Example

Cemetery A has a $100 setting fee. You create an order for Cemetery A. The total includes $100. A week later, you change Cemetery A's setting fee to $200 in Settings. The original order still shows $100. A new order you create for Cemetery A will use $200. If you open the original order and click Edit Order, the editor shows $200. Saving the order updates the snapshot to $200. If you close the editor without saving, the snapshot stays at $100.

Good to know

Cemetery fees recalculate automatically when you edit an order and change the base or foundation dimensions. All measurements in MonuDesk are entered in inches. The system converts to square feet or linear feet automatically based on the cemetery's unit type setting.

Learn more: How to Add and Configure a Cemetery

Related articles:

• How to Add and Configure a Cemetery

• How the Pricing Panel Works

• How to Configure the Monument Type, Color, Size and Finishes

• How to Use Sketch and Inscription