The village of San Hilario used to make its living from its wonderful cemetery and the skill and talent of its inhabitants to organise and undertake the most wonderful funerals. People came to San Hilario to die with panache and style. But the need for quick funerals and the pace of modern life in general meant that the people of San Hilario had almost run out of work, and for that very reason they were keenly awaiting the arrival of Germán Cortés.