In our quest to "Make the UK and beyond more accessible, one space at a time", Ocean 3D has created numerous 3D Virtual Tours of many different types and sizes - not just properties, but of locations – ancient Cornish and North-Eastern monuments, colleges, doctors' surgeries, airports and theatres to name but a few. And the list is growing, as businesses and organisations realise the powerful positive effect that giving people with mobility issues and hidden conditions that would otherwise be unable to visit their location the opportunity to see for themselves what they would otherwise be missing other than a few highlight images or brief 'walkthrough' videos on a website. We see a tangible "need" for almost every location – and often challenge people to give us an example of somewhere that would NOT benefit from a Virtual Tour. So far, no-one has come up with the goods.
But recently a new category was created in our portfiolio – one which even we hadn't considered would ever be asked for...
...a cemetery!. An Italian cemetery to be precise. Here's the story:
At the end of last year, Ocean 3D Founder, Chris Wood, decided to tick off a personal 'bucket list' item and look for a holiday home in Italy. Basing himself near the tiny town of Moliterno, he quickly made friends with some of the locals, including his lovely Landlady and the town's Mayor, Antonio Rubino – despite his Italian being 'limited' to say the least, and Mayor Rubino's English even worse! (if truth be known, the secret of Chris' popularity is Lara, his faithful canine companion who is an absolute darling and everyone wants a piece of her!)
But on New Year's Day, the unthinkable happened - and Chris was hospitalised with DVT and dual pulmonary embolisms. His new amici rallied round, organised temporary care for Lara, and ensured that he was well taken care of in a foreign land.
Chris was so touched by the kindness of these people that, when recovered from his health scare he offered to donate a free Virtual Tour of any municipal building in the township that the Mayor chose as needing to be made more accessible.
And yes - the Mayor chose the town's cemetery. A decision so popular that word of it spread like wildfire, and it has made regional and national news. Here's a translation of just one of the articles – published in GAETA.IT (Credit: Elizabeth China)
Moliterno challenges the idea of "cemetery municipalities" with a virtual tour of the city cemetery
A small town in Basilicata, Moliterno, launches a virtual tour of its cemetery to keep alive its ties with emigrants and challenge depopulation through technology and international collaboration.
A small town in Basilicata overcomes the stereotype of the internal areas of the South seen as places destined for depopulation, presenting a digital project to keep alive the roots and ties with their deceased. The virtual tour of the cemetery of Moliterno , a town of about 3,500 inhabitants in the province of Potenza , is proposed as an original way to connect a community scattered around the world, giving new life to a space traditionally associated with silence and detachment.
A digital gesture to unite Moliterno with its inhabitants scattered around the world
Mayor Antonio Rubino said that the idea of the virtual tour was born from the desire to allow the elderly and emigrants from Moliterno to visit the cemetery without moving far away. With technology, anyone will be able to find a connection with their roots and with loved ones buried in their hometown. The digital map of the cemetery is not only an informative content but a real tool for emotional connection.
This initiative has a symbolic value that goes beyond simple memory. Rubino emphasizes that the project shows how Moliterno is a living town, that looks ahead without being suffocated by negative stereotypes. At a time when small towns risk being blamed as "cemeteries" even in a figurative sense, this digital solution relaunches the vitality and participation of the community, inside and outside the borders of the territory.
The first two weeks since the launch have collected over 2,145 views, a figure that indicates a concrete response from those who do not want to forget their origins and want to feel less distant. It is not a simple service but a bridge between past and future, tradition and progress.
The project saw the collaboration of Chris Wood , a British expert in virtual tours, who offered his professionalism free of charge for the community of Moliterno . Wood decided to thank the welcome he received in the Lucanian town by donating his time and skills, creating a virtual map of the cemetery that allows you to explore every corner, as if you were actually there.
This international collaboration highlights how technological skills can also adapt to traditional realities, embracing the value of memory and local culture. The meeting between an external expert figure and the community has translated into a concrete result that enriches the country's offering, without distorting its identity.
The tour also allows to demonstrate that technology is not far from small towns, where often they are only thought of as problems, but can provide a means to address them and find new answers. The operation is a concrete example of how a gesture of professional solidarity can have lasting effects on small and medium-sized communities.
A community that challenges depopulation by focusing on services and culture
Mayor Rubino emphasized that Moliterno does not accept being labeled as destined to die. The community, while facing the difficulties related to depopulation, invests every day in fundamental services related to the family, school, health, sports and culture. These investments aim to guarantee a quality of life that makes the town attractive for new generations and those who feel connected to these lands.
The Virtual Tour can be accessed here: https://ocean3d.co.uk/cimitero-comunale-di-moliterno/
Chris Wood, reflecting on the response to the project, said:
"I was completely overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown to me by the people of Moliterno, both from my arrival in the town, to that during a very difficult and worrying time when I was hospitalised. Offering a Virtual Tour was simply my way of saying thank you - I never imagined it would resonate so deeply or be embraced so widely. To know it's helping people reconnect with loved ones and their heritage, that means more to me than I can put into words. I'm incredibly grateful to the Mayor and the whole town for trusting me with something so meaningful."
What started as a gesture of gratitude has become something far more powerful — a bridge between continents, generations, and memories. It's a reminder that accessibility, at its best, isn't just about ease of entry — it's about creating emotional access too. And perhaps this simple but moving project in a small Italian town can inspire others around the world to think differently about how technology, tradition, and community can come together in beautiful and unexpected ways.
If your community, organisation or business would benefit from a virtual tour that connects people in meaningful and accessible ways, we'd love to hear from you.
Visit www.ocean3d.co.uk or email
The virtual tour initiative fits into this broader picture. It is not just a way to visit a cemetery, but a sign of attention to the identity and sense of belonging that keep people together who are often spread across the world. The project demonstrates that memory and emotional ties can be cultivated even at a distance, thanks to technology.
The mayor avoids technical and abstract terms, but lets a vision emerge clearly: that of a town that looks around, takes care of its community and rejects the idea of a sealed fate. It is not a symbolic gesture in itself, but a concrete action that testifies to the vitality of Moliterno and keeps a door open to the future.
OTHER REASONS FOR USING OCEAN 3D VIRTUAL TOURS
Increased Engagement and Customer Interest
Studies show that people are more likely to engage with interactive content. A virtual tour captures attention longer than static images, allowing potential customers to immerse themselves in the space. This leads to higher conversion rates for businesses like hotels, event venues, Estate Agents, and tourist attractions.
Enhanced Marketing and Competitive Edge
A 3D tour sets a business apart from competitors. By integrating virtual tours into websites, social media, and Google listings, organizations can improve SEO rankings, increase online visibility, and attract more visitors. For businesses in hospitality, retail, and education, a virtual tour builds trust and creates a compelling first impression. Virtual tours literally take marketing to another dimension.
Cost and Time Savings
For Estate Agents, Virtual Tours can reduce the need for multiple in-person visits. Potential buyers will be familiar with the property before they arrive at the front door, and won't need to revisit several times to check that their 3-piece/bed/whatever-it-is fits, as there is a brilliant Measuring Tool built in to the tour! This saves both the business and potential visitors time and money, streamlining operations while enhancing the customer experience. Chris can even digitally de-furnish a property on request so that a potential buyer can visualise it empty!
Versatility for Training and Safety Planning
Beyond marketing, virtual tours are valuable for staff recruitment and onboarding, ongoing training, and health & safety planning. Potential and existing employees can familiarise themselves with a workspace remotely, helping businesses maintain efficiency and preparedness.
Don't just think of a Virtual Tour as just a digital novelty... it's a powerful tool for improving accessibility, marketing, engagement, and operational efficiency. And as technology advances, those organisations that adopt and benefit now will stay ahead of the pack that follow, while offering seamless, interactive experiences that meet the needs of modern audiences.
In today's digital landscape, standing out is paramount. Ocean 3D, the UK's leading creator of interactive 360° tours, offers a cutting-edge solution to showcase your space like never before.
So why should you use Ocean 3D's Virtual Tours?
Unmatched Accessibility: Ocean 3D's app-free, browser-based tours are viewable on almost all Wi-Fi/4G connected devices - smartphones, tablets, desktops, and Oculus™ headsets. This ensures your audience can explore your space anytime, anywhere, with only basic equipment.
Swift Turnaround: Typically, when scanning a location using world-leading Matterport technology, a working draft tour can be produced by the next business day.
Versatile Viewing Options: Ocean 3Ds Virtual Tours offer multiple perspectives—floorplan, dollhouse, guided tour, first-person, and VR - allowing users to engage with your space in various ways that suit them.
Enhanced Engagement: Matterport™ customers report receiving 95% more calls and 65% more emails about properties featured online with a Matterport™ 3D tour.
Cost-Effective Solutions: According to Ocean 3D, creating a typical-sized interactive tour for a business often costs as little as your daily barista-made coffee in the first year; and for Agents, individual properties can be priced according to its' size and marketing requirements.
Ocean 3D welcome enquiries from Agents in the South-West and North-East who wish to find out more about creating immersive experiences that captivate and convert - turning lookers into bookers; browsers into buyers. Visit the website below.
Ocean3D – Interactive, accessible friendly, 3D Tours