Families in Rawalpindi are facing sharply higher costs this Eid as prices for flowers, incense sticks, rose water and grave coverings used during cemetery visits surge, adding to the financial strain already felt across Pakistan amid persistent inflation.
The price hikes have sparked frustration among residents, many of whom continue to observe the tradition of visiting the graves of loved ones during Eid despite mounting economic pressures.
Temporary stalls and pushcarts have appeared outside the city’s 55 graveyards ahead of the holiday, with vendors preparing for increased demand. Market surveys indicate that flower petals, commonly scattered on graves as a sign of respect, are now selling for nearly Rs500 per kilogramme. Decorative floral sheets used to cover graves have climbed to about Rs1,400 each.
Other ceremonial items have also become more expensive. Bottles of rose water and packets of incense sticks are being sold for roughly Rs200 each, according to local market estimates. Residents say the rising prices have made even modest religious and cultural practices difficult to afford.
Despite the costs, many families continue to purchase the items, viewing cemetery visits during Eid as an important spiritual and emotional tradition.
The burden does not end with ceremonial supplies. Grave caretakers and labourers have also reportedly raised charges for cleaning burial sites and repairing earthen graves. Families are now paying close to Rs500 for basic maintenance work, a rise that has fuelled concerns about the growing commercialisation of mourning and remembrance practices.
Residents say the increased expenses reflect the broader inflationary pressures affecting daily life across the country. With household budgets already strained by higher food, fuel and utility prices, the added cost of honouring deceased relatives has become another source of hardship.
Public dissatisfaction has also been directed toward civic authorities over the deteriorating state of graveyards across Rawalpindi. Visitors complained that many cemeteries have been left unattended for months, with overgrown vegetation making access difficult and obscuring burial sites.
According to residents, unchecked bushes, wild plants and, in some areas, cannabis growth have spread through cemetery grounds. In certain graveyards, vegetation reaching several feet in height has reportedly blocked pathways and covered graves, making it difficult for families to locate burial sites or move comfortably during visits.
The condition of cemeteries has drawn criticism from citizens who argue that local authorities have neglected spaces considered sacred and central to community traditions.
As Eid approaches, families in Rawalpindi are finding themselves balancing devotion and remembrance with rising expenses and deteriorating public facilities, turning what is traditionally a time of reflection into another reminder of the economic and civic challenges facing the city.
