How KOREC and Trimble Catalyst Help Us Care for Forget Me Not Fields
Combining centimetre-accurate mapping technology with the tranquillity of our natural burial ground, we’ve found a practical and efficient way to manage our wildflower meadows and burial plots.
At Forget Me Not Fields, we believe that a natural burial ground should be a peaceful, beautiful place where families can remember their loved ones surrounded by nature. Located on the Church Farm Estate in Thurstaston, Wirral, our 21-acre site overlooks the River Dee Estuary towards North Wales, offering a tranquil setting for remembrance.
Behind the scenes, however, maintaining a natural burial ground requires careful planning, accurate records and a great deal of organisation. As our site continues to develop, technology plays an increasingly important role in helping us manage our burial plots while protecting the natural environment that makes Forget Me Not Fields so special.
One of the most valuable tools we’ve introduced is Trimble Catalyst, a high-accuracy GNSS mapping solution supplied by KOREC, a specialist provider of surveying and mapping technology.
Why accurate mapping matters at Forget Me Not Fields
Forget Me Not Fields was established in 2022 following our family's own experiences of loss. We wanted to create a natural burial ground that offered an environmentally conscious alternative to conventional burial, in a beautiful setting where families could feel connected to nature.
Our site comprises three former horse-grazing fields, with open ground and boundary hedgerows providing few distinctive landmarks. This presents a particular challenge when managing a large number of individual burial plots.
We need to know precisely where each plot is located, both to maintain accurate records and to ensure that the ground is used efficiently and responsibly. Our ashes interment plots measure 1.5m × 1.5m, with larger areas allocated for full-body burials.
Although we had already created an overall site map using Autodesk Civil 3D design software, identifying an exact plot out in the middle of a field was a different challenge altogether.
Traditional methods of locating plots using triangulation would have been impractical across such a large area, potentially requiring specialist surveying expertise whenever we needed to carry out mapping work.
We needed a solution that was accurate, straightforward to use and affordable for a small family-run business.
Discovering KOREC and Trimble Catalyst
Our search led us to KOREC and its Trimble Catalyst system, a cost-effective GNSS solution capable of delivering centimetre-level positioning accuracy.
After learning more about the system through our AutoCAD contact, we explored the KOREC Catalyst web shop and found that we could put together a package suited to our requirements.
This included a Trimble DA2 GNSS receiver, an hourly subscription for centimetre-level accuracy and Soarvo Mobile software, which runs on a smartphone and allows us to collect and view mapping information in the field.
The flexibility of the subscription was particularly appealing. We don’t need to undertake detailed mapping every day, so paying for the accuracy we need, when we need it, makes financial sense.
As Director of Forget Me Not Fields, I look after much of the technical side of the business, including our website, mapping, documentation and database. With a small team and plenty of responsibilities, finding a system that works efficiently without adding unnecessary complexity was essential.
“We knew Catalyst was the system we were looking for. This is a small family business where we wear many hats and therefore our days are carefully planned. I didn’t need centimetre-accurate positions all the time because I’d plan the mapping work in the fields every two weeks or so, over a couple of hours. The subscription package based on hourly usage was therefore great value.”
The benefits of working with KOREC
Since introducing Trimble Catalyst, we’ve found several benefits that make a real difference to our day-to-day work.
Centimetre-level accuracy
Precise positioning allows us to locate and mark out plots accurately, helping us make the best use of the available land while maintaining appropriate space around individual burial sites.
Straightforward technology
Neither surveying nor specialist mapping was part of my professional background. The system has therefore needed to be accessible to someone learning as they go, rather than a trained surveyor.
Flexible and cost-effective
The hourly subscription model suits the way we work. We can plan our mapping tasks in advance and use centimetre-level accuracy when it is needed, without paying for continuous use.
Friendly, reliable support
KOREC’s technical team has been an important part of the process, helping us overcome initial challenges and establish a workflow that works for our business.
For us, the value of the system is not simply the accuracy it provides. It is the confidence that comes from knowing our mapping is reliable, our records are organised and we can manage the site ourselves.
From the ‘Magic Stick’ to a simple fieldwork routine
When we first started using Trimble Catalyst, we mounted the equipment on a pole, which we affectionately called the ‘magic stick’ because of its ability to solve our mapping challenges.
However, I soon realised that I was often kneeling on the ground to mark out individual plots. A shorter handle proved much more practical, making the equipment easier to carry and use across our extensive fields. Although there was a learning curve, I found the system straightforward to set up, particularly with guidance from KOREC’s technical support team.
“There was definitely a learning curve because I’m not a surveyor and had no experience with this type of technology, but KOREC support talked me through any queries. Now we have a simple workflow in place for easily taking our maps out of Autodesk Civil 3D and prepared for use in the field on the Soarvo Mobile software with Catalyst. It’s second nature and couldn’t be easier!” We now have a repeatable process for transferring our maps from Autodesk Civil 3D into Soarvo Mobile, allowing us to take the information directly into the field and work with confidence. What initially felt like a specialist technical task has become a straightforward part of managing Forget Me Not Fields.
Looking ahead: combining accurate mapping with the visitor experience
As Forget Me Not Fields continues to grow, we’re finding more ways to use our mapping technology.
In addition to locating burial plots, we’re exploring how Trimble Catalyst can help us map future wildflower planting, new laybys and other improvements around the site. We’re also looking at how this technology could enhance the experience for families considering a burial at Forget Me Not Fields.
Our landscape and views are such an important part of what makes the site special. We understand that choosing a burial plot is often a very personal decision, and being able to appreciate its surroundings can make a real difference. For families who are unable to visit us in person, we’re exploring the potential of combining our Trimble Catalyst mapping with Trimble SiteVision, an augmented reality system that can visualise geospatial information in the real world.
Our longer-term ambition is to explore whether this could help us share information about the views from particular plot locations remotely, potentially allowing families to gain a better understanding of the setting before making their decision. It’s an exciting possibility that could help us combine the practical benefits of accurate mapping with the personal, thoughtful service we want to provide.
Why we would recommend KOREC
For a small business like ours, technology needs to earn its place. It must solve a genuine problem, be affordable to operate and be practical enough to use without relying on outside specialists for every task.
Trimble Catalyst has helped us achieve that balance. It gives us the accuracy we need while allowing us to retain control over our own mapping and site management.
“If I had to highlight one standout benefit of the system, aside from the customer service from KOREC, it would be its ease of use. Once you’re up to speed, it takes me less than an hour to assign a task, navigate to the plot and begin work. This maximises my time in the field, which is crucial when we’re such a small but busy team.” Our priority will always be to maintain Forget Me Not Fields as a peaceful, well-managed and welcoming place for families. By working with KOREC and making effective use of Trimble Catalyst, we have a practical tool that helps us do just that.
If you’re interested in the mapping technology we use, you can find further information about Trimble Catalyst through KOREC.
Original post by Lucy Hamilton 26/03/26
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