World · Latin America · 16 hrs ago
São Paulo’s privately run cemeteries face reports of poor upkeep
In 2023, São Paulo handed its 22 municipal cemeteries and Vila Alpina crematorium to four private consortia under 25-year contracts.
The contracts require clean grounds and toilets, maintained paths, clear signs and active security.
Visits to six cemeteries and the crematorium in October and November found overgrown plots, broken or open graves, rubbish and poor facilities at several locations.
At Vila Nova Cachoeirinha in the north, tall grass hid graves, and a women’s toilet had no water or soap; a visitor also said she was told there were no exhumation appointments available in 2026.
Operator Cortel said it had fixed the toilet and scheduled grass cutting, while the city regulator said it was investigating the exhumation situation.
Conditions at Vila Formosa improved between visits, but visitors still found open graves and faded signs; the concessionaires are responsible for meeting upkeep requirements.
The findings matter because poor maintenance can make graves hard to find and limit visitors’ access to basic services.
Reports found poor upkeep at privately run cemeteries in São Paulo, including overgrown grass, damaged graves, dirty toilets and debris.
The city’s public cemetery network and Vila Alpina crematorium were transferred to four private consortia in 2023 under 25-year concessions.
A report visited six cemeteries and the crematorium on October 21 and 22, then returned on November 2 and 3.
Vila Nova Cachoeirinha was described as being in the worst condition, with overgrown graves, dirty facilities and damaged signs.
Operators cited remedial work, maintenance arrangements and other explanations, while the city regulator said it was investigating delays to exhumations.
- Who
- Four private consortia operate São Paulo’s municipal cemeteries and crematorium under concession. Visitors and relatives of people buried there reported problems.
- What
- Reports described poor upkeep, including overgrown grass, dirty toilets, damaged graves and signs, and debris.
- When
- The concessions began in 2023. The report’s visits took place on October 21 and 22 and November 2 and 3; the article was published on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Cemeteries and the Vila Alpina crematorium in São Paulo, Brazil.
- Why
- Not stated. Operators cited maintenance arrangements, weather-related soil movement and the need for approvals for some work.
Visitors and relatives
Concessionaires
Upkeep
Visitors and relatives
Visitors and relatives encountered overgrown grass, dirt, damaged graves and inadequate facilities at cemeteries.
Concessionaires
Operators described maintenance measures and said some problems had been addressed or were scheduled for work.
Exhumations
Visitors and relatives
Adriana Moraes said she was told there were no available exhumation slots in 2026 and she would need to return in January.
Concessionaires
Cortel said exhumations were being handled through a task force, with appointments scheduled through January 2027 because of high demand.
São Paulo’s public network of 22 municipal cemeteries and the Vila Alpina crematorium was granted to four private consortia for 25 years, through 2048.
The report visited six cemeteries and the Vila Alpina crematorium.
The report returned to the same locations.
UOL published its report on conditions at the cemeteries.
- Concession period
- 25 years, from 2023 through 2048
- Cemetery network
- 22 municipal cemeteries and the Vila Alpina crematorium
- Concessionaires
- Consolare, Cortel, Grupo Maya and Velar
- Worst conditions reported
- Vila Nova Cachoeirinha, in São Paulo’s north
- Exhumation schedule cited by Cortel
- Through January 2027
What people are saying
But what I found was tall grass and dirt.