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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.

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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.

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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.

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"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?

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Photos: Marko Djurica/Reuters                     

228Comments
Feb 14, 2013 10:21PM
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 .. If someone is more afraid of the living  and f eel safer living in a hole 6 ft deep next to the dead..Than i find its a sad commentary on the living..
Feb 14, 2013 10:29PM
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That's why Nobody cares anymore in this world. Everyone is selfish and materialist and the poor and disadvantaged suffer. Be kind to each others and assist since you'll take nothing with you in the grave just a casket!!!!

Father D.
Feb 14, 2013 10:32PM
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There but for the Grace of God.... I suppose you can get used to anything if it helps you survive. It does bring up the plight of all people who are homeless for whatever reason around the world. As long as they are there, picking through garbage, we dare not be too proud of how civilized we are.
Feb 14, 2013 10:30PM
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Whats really said is they can spend the time and money to make an article about this man but can't find him a place to stay..

Feb 14, 2013 10:15PM
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it is a sad plight, mispelled first time, that we have come to, ;-(
Feb 14, 2013 10:29PM
Feb 14, 2013 10:25PM
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What a sad and lonely existence in my opinion. But as he said, he is more afraid of the living. As a civilized society we always stride to find ways to end this kind of chronic homelessness thinking that no one would possibly ever want to live like this. I find some who actually do prefer it...It's unimaginable to me and probably others to agree, but all we can do is help as WE see fit and let them live the life they choose I guess. I just can't phanthom being routinely dirty and smelly and living in trashy squaller, just a choice I make for myself, my concern is for those who maybe mentally ill and don't know how to find or seek help, these are the ones needing the most assistance. 

Feb 14, 2013 10:15PM
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Doesn't have to worry about the neighbors playing their music too loud... What a lucky stiff, oh that's his neighbor.
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