They wanted to put up a good monument for their father. Paid 6800 rubles, but never got it
The man passed away in March 2024. 2.5 years have passed, and only now is his final resting place beginning to acquire a dignified appearance. The first attempt to erect a monument and improve the grave ended in a loss of 6800 rubles, a chase after the monument manufacturer, and the prospect of a lawsuit.
The lawyer whom the woman contacted believes that the family will win the case, but it is unlikely they will get their money back, writes Onliner.by.
"For a year we listened to 'two weeks' and were understanding"
Nadezhda's father died of lung cancer at the age of 55. An elderly mother, wife, two children, and a 6-year-old granddaughter were left without a loved one. Nadezhda recalls how the family wanted to do everything to express respect for the deceased — the head of the family — and preserve his memory:
— After dad's death, there was about $2000 left in the account. We decided to get a good monument and a turnkey complex for our father. We contacted a company, one of whose offices was in Vitebsk. On December 20, 2024, the manager consulted us, we made a layout of the complex, and remotely approved the monument layout.
We paid an advance of 6800 rubles (72% of the cost of all works), and signed the contract.
The deadline for completing the work was May 30, 2025, Nadezhda continues. All this time, the family was in contact with the manufacturer, understanding that it was impossible to carry out work in the cemetery in winter. According to the girl, concrete was poured at the burial site in June 2025.
— After that, excuses and postponements of work dates (verbally) began. Most of the time, we called him, not vice versa. The manufacturer very convincingly stated the circumstances that prevented him from completing the work.
— We are good people, we understood everything and were empathetic. For a year we heard the same thing — "two weeks". He sent us a photo of our complex in the messenger, as well as a stele with a photo as proof that everything was ready and only needed to be installed.
When the delay exceeded a year, Nadezhda's family decided that the manufacturer was just stalling for time, and turned to the police with a statement. In it, they asked the law enforcement to facilitate the fulfillment of the contract.
— We wanted to resolve the issue peacefully, who knows what could have happened to the man. It's a business. But the police conducted an investigation, and it turned out that we were not the only victims; there were at least five of us. The police found that the manufacturer was not a fraudster — he had intentions to do something, he started the work.
Then I contacted him with a request to resolve the issue peacefully, suggesting that he hand over the finished granite and stele. I was ready to pick up the product and pay other people for the installation. The manufacturer agreed, but again and again delayed, promising in a week, in three days, and then stopped responding altogether.
Nadezhda sought advice from a lawyer. According to the woman, the lawyer believes that the family will win the case, but is unlikely to be able to recover the money if the manufacturer's accounts are empty. She then sent the manufacturer a pre-trial claim and is preparing a lawsuit for court.
— It's impossible to convey my pain and resentment — our whole family comes to the cemetery and all this time we look at the concrete slab. It's very difficult to believe in dad's death without seeing a monument to him. And they profit from our grief, brazenly feed us promises, and don't even try to help.
Nadezhda had to turn to other monument manufacturers; they have already laid granite on the grave. The family was forced to take out an installment plan for the work.
— The company met us halfway, even willing to go to Minsk themselves and pick up the granite from this person. Now, of course, we're doing everything much more affordably, because we gave all the money to him. And we are ordinary people: I am a teacher, mom is a kindergarten teacher.
"The company is bankrupt, but there's no money to file for bankruptcy"
Onliner contacted the contractor who signed the agreement with Nadezhda. The man immediately understood which client he was talking about, emphasized that he had completed the initial stage of work (poured the foundation and installed a bench), and reported that he had already given explanations to the police regarding this matter.
— The company has not been operating for more than nine months. In fact, it is bankrupt. But I cannot file for bankruptcy for a simple reason — there is no money. Today I work elsewhere as an employee to earn at least some money and direct it towards fulfilling the few remaining orders the company has. That is, the financial situation is difficult, — the interlocutor noted.
The manufacturer listed all the problematic issues — both personal and those concerning the company. According to him, the LLC's accounts are frozen, and equipment and machinery have been sold through enforcement agencies. There are debts to the budget and counterparties.
— This company drained a lot of money. I took out loans, invested in the business. Now everything is stuck in the enforcement agencies; I am paying all of this off.
The man himself, according to him, is under the close attention of the enforcement department.
— 70% of my salary is withheld. With the remaining 30%, I need to support two children. I pay alimony for one, and now documents have been filed for the second as well. I lost my family; I myself have no property. Now I can only earn money and try to buy out this stone, whose photos I sent to the client. The monument is practically ready for this order; the people from whom I ordered it say: "Bring us the money — take the stone."
We have a preliminary agreement with the client on a peaceful settlement of the issue. But for this, I need about $2000. The medallion for her is already ready, lying in my garage, which is rented by a new company. I can hand it over at any moment.
"Unlikely to have a happy ending"
Journalists sought legal advice. The expert did not give the reader much hope but advised on how to avoid similar situations in the future.
— Unfortunately, dishonest entrepreneurs are found, including in the funeral services sector. Specifically, in the situation our story's heroine found herself in, a happy ending is unlikely, as 27 enforcement proceedings have already been initiated against this firm. There are also regular debts to the budget for taxes and fees.
All this indicates that the prospect of recovering funds from this company is practically zero.
To avoid such a situation, it is necessary to thoroughly check a counterparty before concluding a contract, especially with an advance payment. A beautiful sign or a catchy name is not an indicator of a firm's reliability. The term of state registration plays a much larger role: the longer a firm has been operating, the higher the probability that the obligations undertaken will be fulfilled.