Amidst the severe crisis engulfing Cuba, funeral homes and wakes have not been spared from the deteriorating situation. A report from Guayabal, located in the Amancio Rodríguez municipality of Las Tunas, reveals the shocking conditions under which the wake of Gustavo Escalona Varona, affectionately known as "Gustavito," was conducted. He passed away due to liver complications at the "Luis Aldana Palomino" Polyclinic.
According to Albert Rodríguez, a local resident, the wake took place in a funeral home deprived of electricity, forcing mourners to rely on flashlights and rechargeable lamps provided by neighbors. These dismal conditions not only sparked outrage but also necessitated the abrupt conclusion of the wake, with the burial taking place at 3:00 a.m. due to the rapid decomposition of the body.
"Beyond the grievous loss of a beloved member of the Guayabal community, the anguish is compounded by the government's blatant inability to provide a dignified farewell for the deceased," Rodríguez expressed on Facebook. He described the situation as a poignant illustration of the system's decay and criticized the authorities for their resource management.
"If the thousands of liters of fuel consumed by the 'King of Sesame' to produce just 150 liters of sesame oil had been saved, there would surely be enough for the funeral home to have a power generator. But these are things Liborio will never comprehend," Rodríguez added.
Despite the widespread frustration, Rodríguez acknowledged the commendable efforts of the funeral home staff, who, he noted, perform a herculean task under these dire circumstances.
In a related incident last September, a Cuban woman publicly condemned the lack of resources within the funeral system after enduring an 11-hour wait for the collection of a deceased family member's body in Holguín. The delay was attributed to chronic shortages of transportation and fuel, issues that consistently hamper the functionality of these essential services on the island.
Similarly, in November, an incident in Mayabeque highlighted the plight of funeral services when a deceased individual had to be transported to their burial in a horse-drawn cart due to the absence of proper transportation. This occurrence was deemed a "national disgrace," eliciting widespread public disapproval and once again underscoring the authorities' failure to ensure even a basic level of dignity in such situations.
FAQs on Funeral Home Conditions in Cuba
What are the reported conditions of funeral homes in Cuba?
Funeral homes in Cuba have been reported to operate under dire conditions, including a lack of electricity, which forces mourners to use flashlights and lamps during wakes.
Why was the funeral of Gustavo Escalona Varona interrupted?
The funeral of Gustavo Escalona Varona was interrupted due to the rapid decomposition of his body, necessitating a burial at 3:00 a.m., exacerbated by the poor conditions at the funeral home.
How have transportation issues affected funeral services in Cuba?
Transportation issues, including a lack of vehicles and fuel, have led to significant delays in funeral services, with some bodies being transported in inadequate means such as horse-drawn carts.