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The family of the young Cuban José Enrique Rodés Núñez, who passed away suddenly in the United States, has requested assistance to cremate his body and transfer the ashes to Cuba, so that his parents can bid him a final farewell.
Rodés, whom his close friends called Kike or Kikito, was 33 years old, originally from Media Luna in the Granma province, and a father of a little girl. According to people close to him, he passed away due to respiratory failure.
At the time of his death, he was residing in Texas City, Texas, where he arrived after emigrating to the U.S., acquaintances stated in social media posts.
A relative of the young man set up an account on the GoFundMe platform to raise the necessary funds for funeral expenses and the repatriation of his remains.
"At the request of family and close friends, I decided to create this account to honor the memory of my cousin José Enrique Rodes Núñez, affectionately known as Kike. We are eternally grateful for the messages and calls of support to the entire family; this money will be allocated to funeral expenses," wrote Camilo Núñez.
Román Dalmau Sánchez, a family friend, expressed his sorrow over the young man's death in an emotional tribute he shared on his Facebook profile.
"Today I have to compose a requiem that is deeply filled with sadness, pain, and sorrow, because a very young soul has departed for the Creator's Paradise. I am speaking of José Enrique Rodés Núñez (alias Kike), who had emigrated to the U.S., like thousands of young people seeking prosperity and well-being, but he was unable to fulfill his purpose due to that cursed fate," he wrote.
Dalmau recalled that Rodes’ life in Texas City “was proceeding normally; he had his job, which was the most important thing for an immigrant, and as the days went by, he was adapting to his new life, filled with hopes, plans, and all those things that bring joy and strength to the spirit of a 33-year-old young man.”
"I want to express my deepest condolences and my heartfelt support to José, María Herminia, and Elizabeth, as well as to all the Rodés/Núñez family and friends," he expressed.
“For you, José Enrique Rodés Núñez, I ask the Creator to guide your spirit through those great Avenues of Paradise where you will find Eternal Light and Glory and rest in Peace,” were the heartfelt words with which Dalmau paid tribute to the young deceased.
In recent years, the unexpected deaths of Cubans newly emigrated to the United States and other countries have highlighted similar requests for assistance from families in order to cover funeral expenses to either bury or repatriate the remains of their loved ones to the island.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Repatriation of Deceased Cubans Abroad
How can Cuban families repatriate the remains of their loved ones who have passed away abroad?
Cuban families often turn to fundraising campaigns on platforms like GoFundMe to cover the costs of repatriation. The transportation of remains from the United States to Cuba, for instance, can take about one to two weeks and costs between $6,800 and $7,000.
What is simpler, repatriating a body or ashes to Cuba?
The transfer of ashes is simpler and less costly than that of a body. Family members can personally take the ashes with the cremation permit and the death certificate, without the need for so much bureaucratic red tape.
What are the main challenges in repatriating the bodies of Cubans who have died abroad?
The main challenges are the high costs, bureaucratic complications, and the need for community support to raise the necessary funds. Families also face the emotional and logistical difficulty of managing these processes from afar.
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