26.10.2026 10:03
Ali Karateke, an 85-year-old farmer living in Sofyan village of Gerger district in Adıyaman, called in a work machine and had a grave dug in the village cemetery for himself and his 78-year-old wife Naciye Karateke. Karateke, who said that all nine of his children had gone to other provinces to work, stated that he took this measure so that no one would have to trouble themselves in the snow and mud in winter.
Ali Karateke (85), who makes a living by farming in Sofyan village of the Gerger district of Adıyaman, said that he did not want to be a burden to anyone after his death, requested a work machine for the village, and had graves dug for himself and his wife, Naciye Karateke (78).
ALL 9 OF HIS CHILDREN ARE IN OTHER PROVINCES
Ali Karateke stated that he has 9 children, that all of them moved to different provinces to work, and that they were left alone. Expressing that he did not want to be a burden to anyone after he died, Karateke said, “May God not let us fall into anyone’s hands while we are alive. One foot is here, the other is on the other side. We have grown older, and there is a long and harsh winter ahead of us. No young people are left in our village. God forbid, if something happens to one of us in winter, we have taken our precautions in advance so that people do not have to dig graves in the snow and mud. Thank God, we have had our graves dug. Let no one suffer hardship because of us.”
UNCLE ALI WAS THOUGHTFUL
Selahattin Güvenç, one of the village residents, said, “He is having his graves prepared in advance by taking precautions. May God be pleased with him; he was thoughtful.”
İsmail Taşdemir, one of the villagers, said, “Uncle Ali constantly says, ‘Let no one go through trouble because of me; snow and winter are ahead of us.’ That is why he deemed it appropriate to have his graves prepared in advance. Of course, God is the owner of life and death. Only God knows who will be granted those graves dug today.”
THOSE WHO SAW THOUGHT THERE WAS A FUNERAL
On the other hand, some citizens who saw the work machine operating in the cemetery initially thought that someone in the village had died. However, when they came to the cemetery and learned that the situation was different, the citizens were surprised.