The provincial cemetery of Sancti Spíritus is in a state of total neglect, with open or destroyed graves overrun by weeds. Despite being the host of the July 26 celebrations—an honor given to the territory with the "best results" of the year—the cemetery's condition remains unchanged. This was highlighted by local resident Adis Menese on Facebook.
Since January of last year, the residents of Sancti Spíritus have been vocal about the government's abandonment of the province's cemeteries. The list of issues includes deteriorating graves and vaults, theft of funeral objects and flowers, overgrown areas, presence of coffin remnants, trash accumulation, and a shortage of cement to properly seal the niches.
The cemeteries with the most complaints are the provincial capital, Jatibonico, Banao, and Guayos. The cemetery in the city of Sancti Spíritus, located in the area known as Kilo 12, is described as having an unsightly appearance due to deteriorating tombs, lack of paint, and overall filth.
The government claims it lacks the necessary resources to fulfill its duties properly. Victoria Fernández, the administrator of the Kilo 12 cemetery, explained that in addition to scarce resources, they lack the necessary workforce to carry out all required tasks.
Residents argue that these issues are not new and have existed for several years, not only in Sancti Spíritus but throughout all provinces in the country. Comments on Menese's post include statements like "This is how all of Cuba is," "If they don't care about the living, what can we expect for the dead?" and "All the cemeteries in the country are the same."
One particularly poignant comment read, "Very sad. I went to my parents' grave, and to my great surprise and sorrow, the cement box holding my mother's remains had been stolen. I paid a worker there to collect the remains and put them in a sack until I could buy another box. In this country, they don't even respect the dead," lamented another user.
Common Issues in Sancti Spíritus Cemeteries
This section covers frequently asked questions about the problems faced by cemeteries in Sancti Spíritus, reflecting broader issues within the province and country.
What are the main problems reported in Sancti Spíritus cemeteries?
The main issues include deteriorating graves and vaults, theft of funeral objects and flowers, overgrown areas, presence of coffin remnants, trash accumulation, and a shortage of cement to properly seal the niches.
Which cemeteries in Sancti Spíritus have received the most complaints?
The cemeteries with the most complaints are the provincial capital, Jatibonico, Banao, and Guayos.
What reasons does the government give for the poor conditions in the cemeteries?
The government claims it lacks the necessary resources and workforce to maintain the cemeteries properly.