Almost 12.000 citizens of Podgorica have a contract with the company "Funeral Services" regarding the maintenance of a grave site at one of the three final resting places - Čepurci, Zagorič or Novo groblje.
That company generated around 260.000 euros in revenue from maintenance fees last year.
"Funeral Services" responded that the fee for maintaining the grave site is invoiced once a year, based on the area of the grave, and amounts to just over three euros per square meter.
"In practice, the annual fee ranges from 11,72 to 40,20 euros, depending on the size of the burial site itself. These fees enable continuous maintenance of communal infrastructure in cemeteries - from mowing, landscaping, washing and disinfection, to seasonal work that also includes horticultural landscaping," they said.
Responding to the question of what happens to grave sites that are not covered by the contract, "Funeral Services" emphasizes that these sites do not fall outside the company's care system.
"... Because all city cemeteries are communal facilities of public importance. However, in accordance with the Law on Communal Activities and the Decision on the Maintenance of Public Cemeteries, the obligation to rent and pay for maintenance is the basis for exercising the right to use the grave. For citizens who have not concluded a contract, the company 'Funeral Services' carries out continuous activities to update data, invite re-registration and inform users about their obligations," said the company "Funeral Services".
If citizens do not settle their obligations to this company, they are held accountable, and the first thing that arrives at their home addresses are written reminders.
"If the obligations are still not settled after that, a forced collection procedure will be carried out in accordance with the law," they emphasized.
They also said that the company's teams are "searching for actual users every day, trying to contact descendants and inform them of the lease status."
"This job is not easy, but we do it with a sense of responsibility and respect for each individual. Our goal is to preserve, through order and promptness, the dignity of the space that is a symbol of memory, respect, and silent gratitude for those who are no longer here," they said.
According to them, the leasing of grave sites is carried out exclusively through that company, and the right to lease, they emphasize, cannot be transferred or assigned between individuals.
"... But exclusively in accordance with the prescribed procedure. This approach ensures transparency, equality and consistency in the management of the grave fund."
"Vijesti" previously wrote that "Funeral Services" is considering the possibility of cooperation with companies from the region that own crematoriums, in order to make this option available to citizens. This service was officially introduced in early April, in cooperation with the funeral company JKP "Lisje" from Novi Sad. "Funeral Services" previously said that they tried to make the prices affordable for all citizens. The price of more than 1.300 euros includes transport to Novi Sad, as well as the cremation itself...
Bonus video:
