In a move that has stunned many, a retired police officer in Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro region has spent years preparing for his final journey — while still alive and in good health.
Known as Sabasita, the former officer has invested nearly KSh 7 million in constructing an elaborate grave on the outskirts of his homestead. The resting place is no ordinary burial site; it’s enclosed by a strong stone wall and decorated with photographs of Sabasita in his police uniform, alongside images of Tanzanian presidents and other notable figures.
A large banner proudly displays the ranks he held during his decades of service, turning the site into a personal memorial that celebrates his life and career.
But Sabasita’s preparations didn’t stop there. He is also in the final stages of acquiring a luxurious coffin worth KSh 3 million. Speaking about his unusual project, he explained that his decision was driven by a desire to spare his family the financial and emotional strain he witnessed during his parents’ funerals in 1995.
“I am doing this while I’m healthy and have the resources,” Sabasita said. “It’s to ease the burden on my loved ones and to remind us all that death is inevitable. As we grow older, our time on earth gets shorter.”
Legal experts are now drafting his will, ensuring that every detail of his final arrangements is in order. While such open discussions about death are often avoided, Sabasita’s actions serve as a striking reminder of life’s impermanence — and the importance of planning ahead.
