Guatemala’s constant streak of murders, averaging 17 per day in 2011, creates a lucrative business for unregulated funeral homes. Less profitable enterprises, such as auto repair shops, are often turned into funeral homes.
The funeral service salesmen are also known as «Calaqueros» (skull mongers) or “Zopilotes” (vultures), because of their relentless search for corpses. They rush to crime scenes to gather information that will allow them to make a sales pitch to the bereaved relatives.
Guatemala City, 2009.
Guatemala’s constant streak of murders, averaging 17 per day in 2011, creates a lucrative business for unregulated funeral homes. Less profitable enterprises, such as auto repair shops, are often turned into funeral homes.
The funeral service salesmen are also known as «Calaqueros» (skull mongers) or “Zopilotes” (vultures), because of their relentless search for corpses. They rush to crime scenes to gather information that will allow them to make a sales pitch to the bereaved relatives.
Guatemala City, 2009.