Bungling civil servants had mixed him up with another man but although Stirbu pointed out what they had done they refused to acknowledge their mistake until Stirbu won a 12 month legal claim to be declared alive.
Judges renewed his status as alive - and then charged him ?500 in court costs.
Mr Stirbu said: "When the judge ruled in my favour I was absolutely delighted - and then seconds later was absolutely shocked when I found out I would have to pay so much in legal bills.
"I will of course appeal the imposition of the costs but I am already beginning to wonder whether or not I would have been better off staying dead." - ananova.com
Link via DoublePlusUndead
Image via flickr user ambergis