The remains of actor Carlos Massola Escandell, who passed away early Wednesday morning, have been cremated according to his wishes, as reported by CubaNet citing family sources. After a seven-hour wait for the hearse, around 4 PM on Wednesday, the artist's body was removed from his home in the Cerro municipality with the help of firefighters and taken to the Bernardo García Funeral Home located on Zanja Street.
Fabio Corchado Borroto, a close friend of the actor, told the cited media that upon arriving at the funeral home, they were informed that they couldn't cremate him because the coffin was too large, without even seeing it. "I confronted Mari, an employee there, and told her that as she could see, Carlos Massola didn't even have a wreath, that no one was there because the family had decided not to hold a wake. I told her, 'Either you cremate him or I leave him here,' and let's see what happens," recounted the source. However, when the funeral home's manager arrived, he confirmed that cremation was possible and that the initial decision was an error.
The popular actor, who had recently voiced his opposition to the Cuban government on several occasions, passed away at his home in the Cerro municipality in the early hours of July 3. The independent media outlet specified that the family doctor, who arrived at the residence around 9 AM on Wednesday, determined that Massola died from hypovolemic shock. Hypovolemic shock is a serious condition where severe blood or fluid loss makes the heart unable to pump enough blood to the body, potentially causing multiple organ failures.
The ashes of the actor, whose unexpected death has caused widespread grief among his colleagues and Cubans in general, are to be collected at noon on Thursday in Berroa, located in the Habana del Este municipality. Since the news of Carlos Massola's death broke, his mother and friends have been involved in a long and painful process. His 84-year-old mother stayed with her son's lifeless body for many hours. Due to the lack of hearses and delays by the authorities, the body remained at the deathbed for many hours without a solution.
Amid these dramatic circumstances, a State Security agent was seen stationed around the building where the artist resided. Born in Havana in 1962, Carlos Massola gained popularity mainly for his work in telenovelas and other dramas on Cuban television. He also appeared in films such as Pata Negra (2001), El Benny (2006), and Juan of the Dead (2011).
So far, no Cuban cultural institution has acknowledged the actor's death. Neither the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), the Ministry of Culture (MINCULT), the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT), nor the ICAIC have made any statements about his passing. Carlos Massola died while awaiting a humanitarian parole that would have allowed him to leave Cuba and strive for a better life.
Key Details Surrounding Carlos Massola's Death and Cremation
Here are some frequently asked questions about the circumstances surrounding the death and cremation of actor Carlos Massola.
What caused Carlos Massola's death?
Carlos Massola died from hypovolemic shock, a condition where severe blood or fluid loss makes the heart unable to pump enough blood to the body, potentially causing multiple organ failures.
Why was there a delay in cremating Carlos Massola's remains?
The delay was due to the initial refusal by the funeral home to cremate the body, citing the size of the coffin. This was later corrected by the funeral home's manager.
Did any Cuban cultural institutions acknowledge Carlos Massola's death?
As of now, no Cuban cultural institutions, including UNEAC, MINCULT, ICRT, and ICAIC, have made any statements about Carlos Massola's death.