A recent video posted on social media reveals the use of a truck as an improvised hearse due to the deteriorated state of vehicles designated for funeral services in Santiago de Cuba. Local journalist Yosmany Mayeta took to Facebook to denounce the crisis in necrological services in the province, showcasing a video of a truck, typically used for mass passenger transportation, being repurposed to transport a coffin.
Currently, Santiago de Cuba has only two operational hearses to serve its deceased population—a situation that is untenable for a city of one million residents. The poor condition of these vehicles forces families to seek desperate alternatives for transporting their loved ones.
The report highlights that renting trucks to transport coffins has become a sad norm in Santiago de Cuba. The deterioration of the service has been evident in multiple incidents: last month, a coffin fell from a hearse on a central avenue in Santiago, and on another occasion, a funeral procession had to continue under the rain with the coffin carried on the shoulders of mourners due to the lack of adequate vehicles.
In May 2023, José Borrero Sotomayor, Provincial Director of Communal Services, told the official newspaper Sierra Maestra that "funeral services continue to be subsidized by the State. Transfers between provinces are charged at 4.00 pesos per kilometer traveled, cremation costs 340 pesos, exhumation 156 pesos, and floral arrangements—wreaths and bouquets—are priced according to the mourner's request," the official assured at the time.
However, judging by the aforementioned experiences, this is clearly not the case. According to the director, Santiago de Cuba had only ten hearses last year, which is insufficient for a province with over a million inhabitants, half of whom reside in the main municipality.
Understanding the Funeral Service Crisis in Santiago de Cuba
This section aims to provide answers to some of the most pressing questions regarding the current state of funeral services in Santiago de Cuba, as the city grapples with a severe shortage of operational hearses.
Why are there so few operational hearses in Santiago de Cuba?
The severe shortage is primarily due to the deteriorated state of the vehicles designated for funeral services. Maintenance and replacement of these vehicles have not kept pace with the demand, leading to a crisis.
How are families coping with the lack of funeral vehicles?
Families are resorting to renting trucks and other non-traditional vehicles to transport coffins. This has become a common, though unfortunate, solution to the problem.
What has the government said about the funeral service situation?
The government claims that funeral services are subsidized by the State and that there are specific charges for various services. However, the reality on the ground, as evidenced by numerous incidents, suggests that this is not being effectively implemented.