A murdered politician has been buried upright in a bizarre bid to show his ideas can continue to stand the test of time.
Luis Gerardo Vásquez Pimiento, who was well-known for his progressive ideas, was shot dead by a hitman.
The 52-year-old was the leader of Humane Colombia, formerly known as the Progressive Movement, a Colombian left-wing political movement.
He was also a popular farm owner and businessman.
Due to his popularity in the area, many residents wanted the political leader to run for municipal president in the upcoming election.
Before launching his presidential campaign, Luis was killed while riding his motorbike in Mogotes, Colombia, on January 30.
His funeral took place in Mogotes on February 1 and in a burial ritual that upset the Catholic Church in the region, Luis' coffin was reportedly interred in an upright position.
The victim’s wife, Marlene Figueroa instructed gravediggers to dig a hole that would allow for the coffin to be buried vertically.
She said she wanted her husband’s ideas to continue to stand, even in death.
According to reports, the leftist politician and his wife have different beliefs about the established Catholic order in the region and Luis’ wife wanted a private burial that would express that position.
A family friend said: “His body was taken out of the Napoleon Funeral Home at around 2pm and was not taken to the church, but immediately to the cemetery.”
The unusual burial seemingly upset the parish priest, who distanced himself from the family’s wishes.
Father Álvaro Rueda Romero said: “Given the circumstances, and according to the family’s wishes for an unconventional burial that does not correspond to the Catholic Christian ritual, we exempt ourselves from responsibility.
“The family is allowed to carry out the funeral rites they have chosen at their discretion in their own way.”
When a person dies, according to the Catholic rite, it is customary to be buried horizontally. This is why his unusual burial caused so much curiosity and even controversy as he was left essentially standing.
It is unclear if the local authorities have arrested Luis’ killers yet.
