A Cuban woman reported this Sunday the lengthy wait for a hearse in Havana, describing it as a desperate and lamentable situation for her family.
Eniabel Montero Sánchez shared in the Facebook group "Cuban Mothers for a Better World" that, after reporting the death of a loved one, they spent 16 hours with the body at home because the funeral vehicle did not arrive from seven in the evening until five in the morning.
Montero expressed his frustration and sorrow on social media: “The body of a drowned person decomposing quickly means nothing in this country; even the deceased cannot be at peace with their families.”
The complainant described the family's distress as they spent hours standing vigil by an empty table and some wreaths, waiting for the hearse to pick up the body, which had already been released by the forensic team.
In another post, the woman explained that they had been at the funeral home since 2:35 PM waiting for the body to pay their respects and give it a proper burial.
However, no one had provided an explanation for the delay: "They tell you that the car is on its way, and it’s a lie. Since it's not a relative of theirs, that's enough; it's unbelievable that even the dead aren't respected."
The uncertainty about whether they would have time to say goodbye to their loved one added to the pain of the situation, Montero noted.
Furthermore, he strongly criticized the funeral and mortuary services in Havana, questioning the lack of responses and the insensitivity of those in charge: “I thank the Attorney General of the Republic for her support in contacting the administration and advocating on my behalf, but the human insensitivity is such that since they are not their relatives, it doesn’t matter,” he expressed bitterly. “Next, they might as well charge us for the car.”
Montero also expressed his understanding that cars can have mechanical issues, given that his own profession is related to vehicles, but he insisted that there should always be a response, even if it is delayed. "I want to see my family member, not an empty table."
The complaint highlights a critical and painful situation affecting many families in Cuba, reflecting issues in the management of essential services during times of significant emotional vulnerability.
The funeral crisis in Cuba is leaving scenes across various cities in the country, such as that of a broken-down hearse in the middle of the street in Santiago de Cuba.
Journalist Yosmany Mayeta shared an image on Facebook of a broken-down hearse near the Plaza de Marte. Although he did not specify whether the vehicle was carrying a body, the post highlights the ongoing crisis in funeral services in the eastern province.
The daughter of the late actor Carlos Massola reported that the hearse took seven hours to arrive and collect her father's body.
In a Facebook post, the young woman expressed her desperation, saying she did not understand how this could happen. Her father passed away at dawn in their home in Havana, and by 5:00 PM, the hearse had not yet arrived.
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