Black Funeral Agents Pay for Death Information

Kirill Nazarov, owner of the Zavet funeral service, told NGS55.RU how «black» funeral agents operate in Omsk. According to the businessman, they buy information about people«s deaths from emergency services personnel. For this, they are willing to pay from 20,000 to 50,000 rubles ($210 to $530 at current rates).

«They take advantage of the fact that people are in a state of stress. The information comes to them from the ambulance or police, I can»t say exactly. The cost of this information ranges from 20,000 to 50,000 rubles ($210 to $530 at current rates). Ultimately, this amount is paid for by the person whose loved one died. The price of funerals at such companies starts from 100,000 rubles ($1,100 at current rates). While on average, companies like mine charge 65,000–70,000 rubles ($684–$737 at current rates).«

Often, «black» funeral agents arrive at the deceased«s relatives» home before the ambulance and police.

«I sometimes go out on calls myself. And I often have to bury people I know. My friend»s father died, the body is lying at home. We«re sitting, talking, waiting for the emergency services to arrive. There were several doorbell rings, several phone calls. Before the police and ambulance arrived. I open the door, and there»s a man showing a funeral agent«s ID. And he speaks quite convincingly. This is essentially fraud.»

To avoid falling victim to such fraud, Kirill Nazarov advises not to talk to funeral agents whom you have not invited to your home.