A recent social media post reveals how it has become common in Santiago de Cuba to transport coffins using private vehicles, highlighting the deep economic crisis affecting this service and the regime's inability to address it.
Social communicator Yosmany Mayeta shared a gallery of images and a video on Facebook this Monday, showcasing the dire situation faced by the families and friends of the deceased: “Every day, the deteriorated fleet of hearses in Santiago de Cuba becomes more evident.”
The content shared by the independent journalist shows the moment when a coffin was brought to the funeral home in Santiago de Cuba using a private truck, typically used for passenger transport in the eastern city.
“Look where they are bringing the dead, what a lack of respect this is,” a young woman is heard saying in the video, denouncing the poor conditions of the funeral service in Santiago de Cuba.
Mayeta noted that after several complaints from citizens on social media and the sad scenes of coffins falling in the middle of the street, "the authorities have decided to increasingly rely on private transportation," the journalist remarked.
However, this Tuesday, Mayeta echoed a complaint alerting to the overcrowding at the Santiago de Cuba funeral home, where at least 29 coffins were found, even placed in the hallways of the facility. The precariousness of funeral services is not a new problem and has been repeatedly evidenced by the constant use of private vehicles.
Last April, a Cuban woman living in El Caney, Santiago de Cuba, reported that due to the lack of a hearse to transport her great-grandmother's remains, they had to resort to a private truck.
“She was supposed to be buried at 8:30 in the morning. We called, and they said the hearse was out with another deceased person,” the woman complained in statements to Mayeta, mentioning that she barely received that response before the phone was hung up on her.
Understanding the Funeral Service Crisis in Santiago de Cuba
This section aims to address common questions regarding the funeral service crisis in Santiago de Cuba, providing a clearer understanding of the issues at hand.
What led to the current hearse shortage in Santiago de Cuba?
The hearse shortage is a result of the deep economic crisis in Cuba, which has led to inadequate maintenance and replacement of funeral vehicles.
How are families in Santiago de Cuba coping with the lack of hearses?
Families are increasingly relying on private vehicles, such as trucks, to transport coffins to funeral homes and cemeteries.
What has been the response of the authorities to the funeral service crisis?
Authorities have been slow to address the issue, leading to increased reliance on private transportation for funeral services.