National Cemetery Administration
Cemetery Components - Public Information Center (PIC)
Function 
The main function of a Public Information Center (PIC) is to provide funeral cortege and visitor orientation to the cemetery, including grave locator information. The PIC acts as an information portal for all cemetery activities. In most state, territorial or tribal cemeteries, the PIC is co-located with the Administration Building.
If warranted, a separate PIC building is typically located near the entrance to the cemetery burial areas. It contains a cemetery map showing the burial areas, a Kiosk grave locator and other public information about the cemetery. Additionally, the building also contains Public Restrooms, giving the visitor a convenient and accessible stop-off point.
Related Areas:
- Visitor Parking Pull-off
- Cortege Assembly Area
- Kiosk Grave Locator
- Administration Building
The PIC may contain a small visitor information office occupied by a cemetery staff member (one person) or a volunteer (one person at a busy, large cemetery) to provide information, answer questions and assist customers. The space may feature a display of historical items and a desk or counter with a computer. In most state, territorial or tribal Veterans cemetery locations, the PIC is co-located with the Administration Building. Therefore, the visitor information function typically is part of the administration function.
Components
The PIC is a roofed, one-story structure with visitor information displayed on a cemetery site plan map or in a visitor information office (optional for larger cemeteries). The PIC components include the Kiosk grave locator, air conditioned and heated restrooms, a drinking fountain, a layout map of the cemetery, a bulletin notice board and an optional public telephone (optional these days due to the cellular phone). Building materials are similar to the Administration Building.
Most often, the PIC function can be co-located with the Administration Building. In this instance, functions such as visitor information desks may be combined with the Administration Building reception area.
To access the PIC, visitors park in an area adjacent to the main entrance to the PIC. The PIC parking area is distinctly separate from the Cortege Assembly Area. The two parking areas however, may be combined at a smaller state, territorial or tribal Veterans cemetery.
Design Requirements
The PIC is a one-story building with a commercial, non-institutional character. The appearance of the PIC building is that of a solid, enduring structure, similar in nature to materials used for the administration building and other cemetery structures. The PIC should be constructed using durable materials and finishes requiring little or no maintenance.
At most locations, the PIC can be co-located with the Administration Building. Additionally, since most PICs contain restrooms, separate restroom facilities are normally not required at the cemetery Administration Building.
After passing through the main gates of the cemetery, the PIC provides an orientation point to the visitors and funeral corteges. The PIC should be located adjacent to the Cortege Assembly Area. The buildings location overlooks the Assembly Area, Flag Location, Columbarium and many of the Burial Sections. The PIC should be accessible from the interment areas providing visitors with easy access to Public Restrooms.
The PIC provides handicap accessible restroom facilities for men and women. It should also include a drinking fountain and a janitor closet with mop sink adjacent to the rest rooms. The PIC must be heated and cooled depending on project location. A small mechanical room may be located adjacent to the janitor closet.
The Kiosk Grave Locator associated with the PIC should be positioned under a projecting or recessed covered area. This provides protection from glare, thus making the Kiosk screen easily readable. The Kiosk (wall-mounted or free-standing types) displays gravesite locations for the cemetery visitor’s use.
The Kiosk Grave Locator is an interactive computer screen that gives veteran burial information and gravesite location for veterans and dependents buried in the cemetery. The Kiosk provides the visitor with a printout page showing the gravesite location of the deceased veteran and dependents.
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