In a scene that seems almost unbelievable, it happened again. This Thursday, a coffin fell from the hearse transporting it in Santiago de Cuba. The incident occurred on Calle 4 in the Mariana de la Torre neighborhood, according to journalist Yosmany Mayeta, who shared a video on social media recorded by a witness to the macabre event.
The footage shows a woman and a man attempting to reposition the body in the casket mere seconds before replacing the lid, which appeared to have broken during the fall. "I hope unfortunate scenes like this do not recur because it exacerbates the family's grief. I call on the communal and funeral services in Santiago de Cuba to create more durable and high-quality coffins," wrote Mayeta Labrada.
The journalist also urged the inspection of the vehicles used for transporting coffins. This distressing incident follows closely on the heels of a similar event that also took place in Santiago de Cuba.
Last week, another coffin fell, this time on the bustling Victoriano Garzón Avenue, near the 18-story buildings in the heart of Santiago de Cuba. Upon realizing the mishap, the driver reversed to retrieve the coffin, and two men assisted in lifting it back into the vehicle as dozens of passersby stopped to witness the extraordinary situation.
Despite the unusual nature of these incidents, they are far from the first of their kind. In 2016, shocking images surfaced of a body falling from a hearse at the busy intersection of Calle 23 and G in the Vedado area of Havana.
The country's severe economic crisis has deeply impacted the funeral service sector. Overcrowded and frequently vandalized cemeteries with severe infrastructure issues are just part of the problem. There is also a shortage of hearses, forcing the use of all sorts of alternative vehicles, and a lack of materials for making coffins and flowers for wreaths.
Scenes of funeral processions with coffins carried on horse-drawn carts, tractors, motorcycles, tricycles, and even bicycle taxis and wheelbarrows are all too common, but no less heartbreaking for their frequency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Funeral Services in Cuba
In light of the recent incidents involving coffins falling from hearses in Santiago de Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers regarding funeral services in the country.
What caused the coffins to fall from the hearses?
The coffins likely fell due to a combination of poor vehicle conditions and the inadequate quality of the coffins themselves.
How common are these incidents in Cuba?
Such incidents, while shocking, are not unprecedented. They highlight the broader issue of the country's ailing funeral services sector, exacerbated by the ongoing economic crisis.