A Cuban man shared the harrowing experience of burying his wife's uncle, who passed away at home. The family had to cover expenses and handle tasks that are typically the responsibility of the State.
The man, named Ernesto, who identifies himself on Twitter as "A Slave of MINSAP", recounted that when they called the funeral home, they were told there were no hearses available. Therefore, the family had to arrange their own transportation to move the casket. "We ourselves put the deceased in the coffin, and we ourselves took him to the funeral home," he stated.
Ernesto detailed that funeral wreaths now cost 100 pesos because they are made by a non-budgeted company, but the price hike doesn't translate to better quality. "The same ugly and tiny wreaths as always; don't think they improved anything," he added.
He also mentioned that the funeral home was infested with bedbugs in the seats, but that this was nothing new. Adding to their troubles, the Commune company informed them they needed to find half a bucket of cement because the cemetery had none to seal the grave.
"No more words, we have to find a bucket of cement, otherwise, you'll have to keep the body under the bed until there's cement," he questioned sarcastically.
Finally, they were told that there might not be any masons available at the cemetery because "there's a shortage of staff," and the few present were infected with Oropouche. In the end, the family had to seal the grave themselves.
"'I understand your grief, but please remain calm,' the clueless woman at the funeral home told me. 'How the hell am I supposed to stay calm if you’re telling me I have to dig the grave myself?' Even in death, we struggle in Cuba," Ernesto emphasized.
Common Issues in Cuban Funeral Services
This section answers some frequently asked questions about the challenges faced by Cuban families when arranging funerals.
Why are families in Cuba responsible for funeral arrangements that should be handled by the State?
Due to systemic inefficiencies and shortages, the Cuban State often fails to provide essential services, leaving families to manage and finance these responsibilities.
How much do funeral wreaths cost in Cuba, and has their quality improved?
Funeral wreaths cost around 100 pesos, but despite the price increase, their quality remains poor, with no significant improvements.
What are some common issues faced in Cuban funeral homes?
Common issues include a lack of hearses, poor quality of funeral wreaths, and unsanitary conditions like bedbug infestations.