In what seems like a never-ending saga, another tragic incident underscores the severe crisis in funeral services in Cuba: the coffins of two deceased individuals were transported in a dump truck in the city of Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba. A resident of the Santiago municipality reported the incident to communicator Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, accompanied by a video and photos showing several men placing the coffins on the bed of a dump truck.
"A follower sends to our page how coffins are transported in any vehicle that the grieving family can find," explained the reporter, who also shared the words of the young woman who reported the incident: "This is outrageous, look how they placed two coffins in this construction vehicle because there are no hearses."
This type of truck is typically used to transport construction materials, such as sand and gravel, debris, or demolition waste. Mayeta further commented on how in recent weeks in the municipality of Santiago de Cuba, similar incidents have been recorded: "They have taken the coffins in rented private cars for these purposes because the provincial fleet is completely deteriorated."
He also recalled that "the collapse at the funeral home for several days brought Servicios Comunales to the brink of chaos, as there were no spaces in funeral homes or cemeteries to bury the deceased." These types of events, which have become common, continue to cause distress and annoyance, highlighting the dire situation of funeral services in the country as part of a widespread economic crisis.
A woman from Santiago who recently lost a family member reported: "The vehicles being used for transport are trucks or 'pisicorre' because the hearses are broken, have no brakes, and sometimes even lose the bodies," a situation that, while extraordinary, has occurred multiple times in the streets of Santiago de Cuba.
The problems, far from being resolved by the authorities, are accumulating and worsening across the country: the poor condition and lack of hearses, fuel shortages, scarcity of materials to make coffins, the collapse of funeral homes due to lack of capacity, vandalism in cemeteries, and more.
On social media, complaints and images of this doubly painful situation are common. In addition to the grief of losing their loved ones, Cubans must contend with deficient state services and, in many cases, arrange on their own the transportation of the deceased family member to their final resting place. Meanwhile, the relevant authorities seem insensitive to the public's discontent and fail to fulfill their duties as public servants.
Funeral Service Crisis in Santiago de Cuba
In light of the severe issues affecting funeral services in Santiago de Cuba, many questions arise about how these problems are being addressed and the impact on the residents. Below are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What led to the use of a dump truck for transporting coffins in Santiago de Cuba?
The use of a dump truck was due to the severe shortage and poor condition of hearses in the area, forcing grieving families to use any available vehicle for transportation.
How have residents of Santiago de Cuba responded to the funeral service crisis?
Residents have expressed outrage and distress, often sharing their experiences and complaints on social media. They are also resorting to private means to ensure their deceased loved ones are transported and buried properly.