'Since I Became a Tombstone Craftsman, My Life Is So Much Better Than Before'

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We go through our lives with proof of identity. There’s a birth certificate, driver’s license, ID card. And when you die you get your last piece of identification, a headstone.

That’s where Rusli comes in. The 33-year-old has earned a living for the last three years making headstones. It’s nothing personal, mind you, just a way to make a living. “I’m not expecting someone’s death,” he says with a laugh. Business is so good, Rusli opened his own shop in East Jakarta 10 months ago.

He tells us the strangest thing he has put on a tombstone, the best months for business and what happens when a name gets misspelled.

How long does it take to make a tombstone?

It usually takes a week. I will work on the written details of the deceased, such as their name, while the rest of my workers deal with shaping the stone. We always work as a team because it saves a lot time.

Have you ever misspelled a name?

Often [laughs]. I think it happens a lot in this industry. The mistake usually comes from the customers when they are giving us the details. When it happens, I give them a choice to either patch it up or make a whole new headstone. If they want a new one, I won’t ask for an additional surcharge.

Do you ever get any strange requests for tombstones?

Not so far. It all depends on the customer, but normally they just ask for a standard stone. Unlike clothes and shoes, there aren’t really any trends in tombstones, so most people really have no reason to order a customized one.

Besides, public cemeteries have rules about the size for tombstones. They can’t be any larger than 50 by 50 centimeters. But sometimes we have customers who ask for figures like angels or a modified cross. It’s not that hard but it takes more time.

Since your work depends on someone’s death, are there any slow months?

Thank God, no [smiles]. I already have a lot of customers who come to me whenever a relative dies. Although my shop is in Pondok Kelapa, orders come in from other places and for use in other public cemeteries. Not that I am expecting someone’s death [laughs]. I am sure that it’s all in God’s hands.

How much does a headstone cost? Are there different types?

We provide three different types of tombstone in terms of the material that is used. We have granite, marble and granite sand. Granite is the most expensive. It costs between Rp 900,000 and Rp 1.3 million ($100 and $145).

And for the lettering, gold is the best and most popular choice. It’s also the most expensive choice, but can last for up to 10 years. There are also cheaper options. We can use oil paint, but it will only last for a year. It’s not like a ballpoint pen. It’s a colored sheet and we paste and apply it to the stone.

So how much do you make a month?

I don’t have a steady number of orders each month, it really depends on the season. Some customers even ‘forget’ to pay me for up to a year, but I let it go. But I usually get more orders around Easter and Christmas. It’s not that there are more deaths on Easter and Christmas, but a lot of families order new tombstones to replace old ones that are already broken or dull. In those months, I can make up to Rp 10 million.

I enjoy my job. Since I became a tombstone craftsman, my life has improved and is so much better than it used to be. Now me and my family can live well, and we even have some savings. It’s not a lot but I’ll work hard and make do for my children’s future.

Any plans on passing down the business to your kids, perhaps building a family company?

Not yet since my child is only 3 years old. But when I think about it, I don’t think so. I work hard to make sure that my child gets a good education so he can have more opportunities and options. I want him to have a bright future. I don’t expect him to be like me.

Rusli was talking to Keyko Ranti Ramadhani.

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