A Cuban woman has exposed the extended wait she endured for state funeral services while the deceased body remained in her home awaiting a coffin. "It is utterly disrespectful and shows a lack of conscience to have a deceased person in our home since 10:10 am and yet no coffin. Eight hours have passed with no response from funeral staff or the government," protested Facebook user Yaimara Aguilar Zayas.
Her post was accompanied by a photograph of the covered body. According to Aguilar Zayas, "this once beautiful country is being ruined" due to the "negligence" of those in power. She also highlighted the distressing impact on the children living in the home, who could be traumatized by the experience.
Common Struggles with Funeral Services in Cuba
Though dramatic, Aguilar Zayas's ordeal mirrors the struggles faced by many other families who have encountered mistreatment and indifference from authorities when needing funeral services.
Recently, a tragic event occurred in the province of Mayabeque where a group of individuals had to carry a coffin on foot for two kilometers to the cemetery because of the lack of proper transportation for the deceased.
In a video shared on Instagram, several people can be seen holding a makeshift coffin on top of an old car, while a woman describes the distressing situation due to the absence of a hearse.
Recurring Issues Highlight Negligence
In mid-July, a Cuban man recounted the ordeal he faced to bury his wife's uncle, who died at home. The family had to bear the costs and handle arrangements that were supposed to be the state's responsibility. The man, known on Twitter as "Un esclavo del MINSAP," mentioned that when they contacted the funeral home, they were told there were no hearses available, forcing the family to find their own transportation and handle the body themselves.
Just days earlier, the coffins of two deceased individuals were transported on a dump truck in Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba. A local resident reported the incident to journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, providing a video and photos showing men placing the coffins on the truck bed.
Around the same time, the daughter of Cuban actor Carlos Massola reported a seven-hour wait for a hearse to arrive and collect her father's body. Not even fame or living in the capital guarantees dignified funeral services for Cubans.