Adilson Marsaro, 48, died after falling into his father’s grave during a friend’s funeral service in Brazil.
The fatal accident occurred Wednesday at the São José Municipal Cemetery in Linhares, a city in Brazil’s Espírito Santo state. Marsaro had been attending the funeral of an acquaintance who died in a road accident when he wandered away from the service and sat on his father’s concrete gravestone, according to gravedigger Nazaré Bravin, who spoke with O Globo. The structure suddenly collapsed beneath him, sending him plunging into the grave shaft below.
The fall created a loud noise that drew the attention of nearby mourners, who immediately called emergency responders to the scene. But Marsaro was already dead by the time rescuers arrived, reports indicated.
Bravin told O Globo that Marsaro had greeted people at his friend’s funeral before the accident and had left his motorcycle and helmet at his pal’s gravesite. He then headed to his father’s gravestone, where the fatal collapse occurred.
Marsaro was buried in the same cemetery where he died, with his burial taking place the following day.
Linhares City Hall issued a statement expressing regret over the incident and urging visitors to take extra precautions, particularly with the Day of the Dead holiday approaching. “The Municipality of Linhares regrets what happened this Wednesday afternoon (21), at the São José Cemetery, in the Interlagos neighborhood, and expresses its solidarity with family and friends at this time of grief,” the city government said in a statement to A Gazeta.
The statement continued, “With the approach of the Day of the Dead holiday, an increase in traffic is expected at the city’s cemeteries. Therefore, the city government is reinforcing the importance of taking extra precautions during visits.” The city noted that upkeep of tombs remains the responsibility of families.
The São José Cemetery is the final resting place for nearly 18,000 people, according to the city’s statement.
The Civil Police told Midiamax that an investigation into Marsaro’s death is ongoing.