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Greece: No Place To Die

Greece's biggest cities have run out of places to bury the dead. Graves are now rented rather than owned, and, after three years, bodies are exhumed to make space for new ones.

Greece's cities are running out of room to bury the dead. Most graves are now rented rather than owned, and, after three years, the bodies are exhumed to make space for new arrivals. For those who can afford to pay, the exhumed bones are stored in an ossuary. For those who can't, the bones are thrown into a communal pit. Cremation is not an option: the practice is forbidden by the Greek orthodox church and all attempts to open crematoriums have failed. As Greeks struggle under austerity, the business of burying the dead has become prohibitively expensive; stressful and chaotic. Chloe Hadjimatheou reports from Greece for Our World. Viewers may find some scenes in this programme upsetting.

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 18 Dec 201503:30GMT

Broadcasts

  • Fri 27 Nov 201520:30GMT
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  • Sat 28 Nov 201503:30GMT
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  • Fri 18 Dec 201503:30GMT