Loading...
The Daily Dose Blog The Daily Dose Blog Home

Homeless man lives with dead people for 15 years

Grave-squatting Serbian survives on foraged candles, garbage scraps and cigarette butts.

By Charyn Pfeuffer - MSN Living Editor Feb 14, 2013 8:12PM

The next time you find yourself complaining about the high cost of living consider this: You could always live in a cemetery. For free. That’s what a 43-year-old homeless man from Serbia has been doing for the past 15 years, reports the International Business Times.

Photo: Marko Djurica/ReutersMore from MSN Living: 40 time-saving tips 

Former construction worker, Bratislav Stojanovic, has been sleeping in a garbage-filled concrete space, spanning only two square yards in Nis, south Serbia. After getting robbed by other homeless people on several occasions, he moved to the cemetery, a place with minimal (live) human interference.

More from MSN Living: 7 easy ways to get better sleep

Stojanovic spends much of his time foraging for candles to keep his modest space warm and survives on a diet of food scraps he finds in the garbage.

From the outside, living a life six feet under looks like a lonely existence.

Bing: Strangest houses in the world

"I had a friend who also lived at the cemetery, but he left as his grave was damp,” he told the International Business Times. "I had a girlfriend, also homeless, but she's gone. She died, but it is nicer to say that she's gone," he was quoted.

Living underground seems like a major lifestyle adjustment.

"I was afraid in the beginning, but I got used to it in time. Now I am more afraid of the living than of the dead," he told Reuters.

Read more of the rest of the story here.

What do you think of this unusual living situation?

Photo: Marko Djurica/ReutersMore from The Daily Dose:
The most common job for women?
Chinese New Year: Which animal are you?
Boy Scout gay policy: What would change?

Subscribe to the Daily Dose

Love content like this? Friend us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and find us on Pinterest

Photos: Marko Djurica/Reuters                     

228Comments
avatar
This, like with many destitute people, is voluntary ................ if he can live with these hardships, he could work and contribute to society instead of being a human leech!
Feb 15, 2013 12:04AM
avatar
as unfortunate as it is some of these people are not the loveable bumb on 60's TV shows. My Dad tried to help homeless people, he tried to get them jobs. Most were just plain lazy, the rest tried to scam or rip him off. I am sure there are some people that are down on their luck and could use a hand back up. Most are good at coning ( con artist), just like you are good at your job.
Feb 15, 2013 12:04AM
avatar

Who cares? If he wants to be a dirtbag scum of the earth sack of crap, let him, We all make our own choices in this world.

Some people really have it rough, but I have lived it first hand and most all homeless people are there by choice and just expect pitty and free hand outs from the rest of us who are actual contributing members of society.

 

Feb 14, 2013 11:55PM
avatar
I wish I could do something to help this man.  I lost my job  4 years ago and am fortunate to live with my sister. I am 61 years old and no one wants to hire me.  I would be living in my car with my 4 cats because I can't even afford to pay rent.  I can only pray that God will send someone to help this man.  Fifteen years is a long time to live this way so he probably is fearful of anyone wanting to help him.  Lets hope he doesn't get booted out of the cemetary.  Just an FYI:  There are only bones and dust inside graves so he will be safe.
Feb 14, 2013 11:52PM
avatar
Proof positive!  We have more to fear from the living than the dead.
Feb 14, 2013 11:49PM
avatar
Some years ago I vacationed in Egypt.  In Cairo there was a section called the City of the Dead  (al - Arafa) if memory serves.  I believe 500,000 people lived in this cemetery as there was insufficent housing. I'm sure there remains hundreds of thousands there still.  I visited the site and it was well organized but had little electricity. 
Feb 14, 2013 11:47PM
avatar
He is doing what he feels he has to do. I am sure there are people in here in the US who are very close to doing the same, if they haven't all ready
Feb 14, 2013 11:46PM
avatar

He's not bothering anyone and he himself was robbed. If it's a way to survive and he seems to clearly not be bothering anyone, he does what he has too. Now if people say he is bothering anyone, i would find that very hard to believe. Where now the media has gotten into things.

People do what they have to in hard times. If you never had a place to stay, then you would make due with what you had too. People fail to realize that things happen to everyone. Nothing in this world is easy and for some people themselves make it hard on others. Sad as that maybe, it's what humans do to each other. Some make it harder, others don't try to get involved, then there are those who make it a game to have people suffer. Unfortunatly this is how things have become. Right, wrong or indifferent. People can't make others change, they have to want to for themselves. The more you push, the more they will come back at you in a way you don't want.

Report
Please help us to maintain a healthy and vibrant community by reporting any illegal or inappropriate behavior. If you believe a message violates theCode of Conductplease use this form to notify the moderators. They will investigate your report and take appropriate action. If necessary, they report all illegal activity to the proper authorities.
Categories
100 character limit
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?

inspire: live a better life

  • Respect other's beliefs(Helen Ashford | Getty Images)

    Respecting other people's beliefs

    Editor's note: We will now be publishing Miss Manners articles twice weekly, but you will only see one question and answer per article. You can expect to see these articles appear on Tuesdays and Thursdays going forward.

  • Colin Pascik and Justin Baldridge embracing

    5 heartwarming Armed Forces homecomings

    President Harry S. Truman was behind efforts to establish the first Armed Forces Day in 1950, and decades later the nation continues to set aside the third Saturday in May to recognize and thank members of the U.S. military for their patriotic service. With these five homecoming images, we salute all service members at home and abroad.

  • Getty Images

    8 Ways to Be More Productive Working From Home

    There's much to be desired about working from home: the stress-free commute, flexible hours, and improved work-life balance.

  • Newton Daly/Getty Images

    25 things that will keep you young

    Wishing for the fountain of youth? You may not need it. We've rounded up real-women secrets, tried-and-true beauty tips, and the latest research to help you fight aging.

  • "With All Due Respect."

    10 phrases to avoid at work

    Experts weigh in on when to bite your tongue at the office.

  • Funny face

    The crazy things you do to destress

    Oh, the places you'll go — to get some "me" time, that is. REDBOOK readers confess all on Facebook.

  • Going out with friends is costly

    Live happier on the money you have

    How much money you make isn't nearly as important as how you use it, according to Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton, authors of the new book Happy Money.

  • Marry someone for their person, not job  (LeoGrand | Getty Images )

    What if you don't respect your spouse?

    Plus, how do you ask people to not bring gifts to a shower?

  • The objective is implied and you don't need to state

    Five resume updates to make now

    Looking for a career upgrade? Follow these tips for a foot in the door.

  • Sun facts and myths to keep you safe (Getty Images )

    7 sun lies we tell ourselves

    These tanning and skin cancer myths aren't just wrong — they can do serious harm. Wise up and head into a healthier future. P.S. You'll look a lot younger too.

  • A piglet(Photo: Courtesy of Self)

    Find happiness in unexpected places

    It's possible to rejigger your brain circuitry and feel more joy, even on Monday mornings. Here's how.

  • A yoga mat

    Meditation 101: How to feel more zen—anywhere

    Inner peace just got easier. You don’t need quiet, incense or hours to meditate, and you can scrap the chanting. Better: Ninety-five percent of you say you’re calmer after a single 10-minute session. Whatever your excuse (see ours), get your om on and reap the rewards.

Loading...
about rich maloof
Loading...
buzzing now on msn living
Loading...
inspire videos
editor's picks
Loading...