Funeral homes struggle as violent deaths in Juárez decline

From the El Paso Times - By Lourdes Cardenas - JUAREZ - More than a year ago, things looked good for Juan H. Pharo, a funeral home representative. But recently he finds it very difficult to get money to support his family. "The last time that I booked a service was a week ago," said Pharo while waiting outside of the state prosecutor's office in Juárez for the relatives of those who have died in violent incidents. As he has done for more than three years, Pharo daily goes to the prosecutor's office to offer funeral services to the families who show up there to identify the body of a relative or to fill out the paperwork needed to release the body. There, Pharo and his colleagues from other funeral homes, wait for the families to offer them the best deal for a funeral. "Today (Tuesday) there are five dead people, but (the families of) two have already chosen a service," he said. "Three remain and there are five representatives of funeral homes." What represents a problem for Pharo is now a relief for most of the people in Juárez, who have seen a decrease in the violence, particularly in the number of homicides in the city. According to figures from the Fiscalia del Estado de Chihuahua, the prosecutor's office, the number of homicides has been declining this year. In January, there were 215 homicides, while in October the number reached 144 and this month there have been 98. Read more

Funeral homes struggle as violent deaths in Juárez decline