Digital information displays introduced at Zurich largest cemetery

Papercast’s battery powered e-paper displays enable centralised, accessible visitor information at Zurich’s largest cemetery.

 Across the city, Zurich is modernising how it shares information in public spaces – from parks and transport hubs to cemeteries.

As part of this effort, the city has launched a programme to introduce uniform, accessible signage across all 19 municipal cemeteries, designed to make them easier to navigate and more accessible for visitors.

The pilot project at Sihlfeld Cemetery marks the first phase of this programme; exploring how digital battery powered displays can deliver information efficiently while preserving the site’s historic setting.

At Sihlfeld Cemetery, the city’s largest and most historic burial ground, daily notices that were once printed and posted by hand daily have been replaced with long-life battery powered e-paper displays. The new system delivers timely, accessible information to visitors while reflecting Zurich’s strong commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency.

The project is a collaboration between Grün Stadt Zürich (GSZ) – the department responsible for the city’s parks, green spaces and cemeteries – together with Papercast partner Technik Partner AV AG (TPAV).

Bringing efficiency and sustainability together

Spanning nearly 29 hectares, Sihlfeld serves both as a cemetery and a green urban retreat. Until recently, information about daily burials and services was displayed on paper notices across five entrances, a manual process repeated each day by on-site teams.

GSZ wanted to modernise this system without compromising accessibility, appearance or environmental goals. The new solution needed to:

• Operate entirely off-grid, as no mains power was available
• Deliver high visibility in all lighting and weather conditions
• Be durable and secure for outdoor public use year round
• Support Zurich’s 2000-watt society energy objectives
• Include audio accessibility features for visitors with visual impairments

A digital system designed for the environment

After reviewing available technologies, GSZ and TPAV selected Papercast 23” outdoor e-paper displays, known for their exceptionally low power consumption and clear visibility even in bright sunlight. Each display runs entirely on battery and operates independently, requiring no external cabling or infrastructure.

The units feature buttons that activate text-to-speech functionality, allowing visitors to hear funeral information read aloud. All displays are connected to the Papercast Content Management System (CMS), enabling GSZ staff to update information instantly across all locations from one central dashboard.

The result is a digital information system that blends modern functionality with environmental sensitivity, improving efficiency while staying in harmony with its surroundings.

Proven performance, ready to expand

The pilot installation has been running successfully for several months, demonstrating the system’s reliability and usability. Staff can now manage information centrally, ensuring visitors always have access to accurate, up-to-date details while reducing the environmental impact of printed materials.

Following this success, GSZ is currently assessing a potential wider roll-out of the Papercast solution to other cemeteries in Zurich

A partnership built on trust

Technik Partner AV AG (TPAV) been a trusted partner to GSZ for many years, delivering digital signage and AV solutions across Zurich’s public facilities – from the Stadtgärtnerei Centre for Plants and Education to the Zurich Succulent Collection and various GSZ offices and operations.

This proven collaboration made TPAV the natural choice for the Sihlfeld Cemetery project, combining their local integration expertise with Papercast’s proven outdoor display technology.

Together, the partners have shown how smart, sustainable digital communication can be implemented effectively and respectfully in municipal environments.

Keeping Zurich green and connected

Part of the City of Zurich’s Civil Engineering and Waste Management Department, GSZ manages all aspects of the city’s green infrastructure, from parks, playgrounds and sports facilities to nature reserves and cemeteries.

With more than 600 employees, the organisation plays a key role in maintaining Zurich’s reputation as one of Europe’s greenest, most liveable cities.

Powering sustainable information, everywhere

Papercast is the world leader in solar and battery powered e-paper display systems, trusted by cities and transport authorities worldwide to deliver real-time information in outdoor environments.

The Zurich project shows how the same technology that powers real-time passenger information can also deliver accessible, low energy digital communication for public infrastructure in any environment – wherever reliability, clarity and sustainability matter most.