Private cemetery in Vrčin continues burials despite ban, residents fear contagion

Private burials are continuing in Vrčin, Serbia, months after the health ministry ordered a halt to the practice. Residents living near the private cemetery express deep concern over potential environmental contamination and the spread of infectious diseases. They report that despite official bans from both the health ministry and the local communal inspection, burials have persisted.

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The sanitary inspection issued a decision banning burials. The communal inspection of Grocka also issued a decision banning burials. Since the day they received the decision to ban burials, they have buried a total of four (people).

One resident, Slaviša Dukić, stated that four people have been buried since the ban took effect. He criticized the authorities for not enforcing the law, noting that communal inspectors should involve the police to stop illegal burials.

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Two burials were performed at the request of citizens. Nobody is forcing anyone to come here and sell them a grave plot, but God forbid, when someone dies, there is nowhere to bury them because we have confirmation from the public utility company that there is no capacity, as you can see for yourself on site.

Landowners, however, dispute the claims. Nenad Isidorović, one of the plot owners, argues that the sanitary inspector never visited the site. He claims the ban was based on hearsay and that closing their plots would be unfair, as other private plots are also being used for burials. Isidorović also pointed out that state-run cemeteries are overcrowded, forcing families to seek alternatives closer to home, as many do not want to transport their deceased loved ones long distances.

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The sanitary inspector who handled the case did not do their job, meaning they did not visit the site, because if they had, they would have had to close all ten plots. It's not just our plot that poses a risk. They didn't read the documentation and made a temporary decision.

Local journalist Željko Matorčević attributes the ongoing issue to state neglect and the failure of institutions to perform their duties. He noted that the problem of private burials has persisted in the Grocka municipality for about 15 years.

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The biggest fear is contagion. Nothing else.