Tanzania: Man Builds His Own Grave To Cushion Family From High Funeral Expenses When He Dies

A Tanzanian man has shocked his village by building his own grave in preparation for his death. Patrick Kimaro, 59, says that his family is slowly accepting his decision which is also viewed by the community as a bad omen. Traditional leaders from Mr Kimaro’s ethnic group in the Kilimanjaro region say a grave should not be dug in the

anticipation of death and it should not remain empty for long. Mr Kimaro, who works as a Policeman, said that he started building his grave in January to cushion his family from high funeral expenses when he dies. Being a first-born child, I also had a difficult time burying my parents when they died six months apart so I decided I

will also not take all my children too through the same [experience], he said. Mr Kimaro also plans to set aside some money for his casket and believes his family will be able to raise money for other related expenses after his death. He is also planning to take insurance for his grave in the event of natural calamities like flooding that

may destroy it. The preparation of the grave, including its exquisite finishing cost him a total of $3,000 dollars (£2,200). Mr Kimaro’s home security guard says some neighbours have also shied away from visiting since the grave was dug within the compound. Some of his family members have however got used to the grave and even sit around it to chat.