The Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District received the Special District Risk Management Authority Innovation Award on March 18 for developing a winch-controlled headstone-lifting system that eliminates manual lifting hazards and protects employees from injury.
According to the announcement, the award was presented at SDRMA’s Annual Education Day in Sacramento. The new system replaces a decades-old process where staff manually lifted and transported headstones, which posed a high risk of injury. In 2022, the district began reevaluating this process and created a custom solution that uses a winch-assisted trailer and loading table designed by district staff to mechanically lift, transport, and precisely place headstones. This new method removes manual lifting entirely.
Joshua Bonner, District General Manager, said, “This innovation reflects our commitment to keeping our employees safe while continuing to provide respectful and dignified service to the families we serve. By rethinking a process that had been in place for decades, our team was able to eliminate a major safety risk and create a solution that can improve cemeteries across the state.”
Since implementing the system, the district has reported zero injury claims related to headstone lifting. The district has also shared its approach with other public cemetery agencies throughout California, including through presentations at conferences such as the 2024 California Association of Public Cemeteries conference and onsite demonstrations.
The SDRMA Innovation Award recognizes California special districts that develop effective solutions to reduce risk and enhance workplace safety. The Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District’s project was honored for its practical design, measurable results, and potential for statewide adoption.
The Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District was formed on August 8, 1927 under Section 8890 of the California Health and Safety Code. Its boundaries cover approximately 3,450 square miles. The district has performed over 24,000 interments and set more than 15,000 grave markers. It is one of over 265 public cemetery districts in California according to the official roster page.
