A group of Cubans had to carry a coffin by hand and walk with it to the cemetery due to the lack of a hearse in the municipality of Consolación del Sur, in Pinar del Río.
The unusual scene, which made its way through the streets of the municipality, was recorded on video and shared on social media, sparking a wave of outrage among citizens.
The incident occurred on Monday, according to the Facebook page 'La Tijera', and was a result of the delay in the arrival of the funeral transport. The family of the deceased made the decision to transport him in this manner after noticing signs of decomposition in the body due to the prolonged wait.
Accompanied by family and friends, the mourners walked through several streets of the municipality carrying the coffin in the middle of the public road, amidst the incredulous and dismayed gazes of the neighbors.
This case not only highlights the lack of material resources but also the absence of sensitivity on the part of the authorities responsible for ensuring basic services in critical moments like this.
A crisis that affects all of Cuba
The lack of funeral cars in Consolación del Sur is just one more example of the serious crisis facing funeral services in Cuba.
For years, numerous provinces have reported similar situations that reflect the precariousness and neglect of a system unable to meet the needs of the population, even in the most critical moments of life.
In Artemisa, for example, the shortage encompasses not only funeral transportation but also the essential materials needed to construct graves. A report from December 2024 revealed that in many cases bodies remain unburied for days due to the lack of cement to seal the vaults in the cemetery of that locality.
Santiago de Cuba, one of the most affected provinces, has also witnessed heartbreaking episodes. In January, it was reported that some deceased individuals were being buried in cardboard boxes due to the lack of coffins. These makeshift boxes are used as a last resort by families who cannot afford other options or wait for the long delivery times of state funeral services.
In another incident reported in Santiago de Cuba, a body remained in its family's home for 17 hours due to a lack of transportation and a prolonged blackout that complicated the preservation of the body.
Transfers on foot, broken-down trucks and cars
The issues related to hearses in Cuba are frequent and have forced families to seek makeshift solutions for conducting burials.
In May 2023, in Matanzas, a group of people had to push a broken hearse during a funeral procession, an image that highlighted the deterioration of the vehicles used for these services.
In Santiago de Cuba, there has also been a reliance on the use of trucks to transport coffins due to the lack of appropriate vehicles. This practice highlights the seriousness of the situation and the level of improvisation that Cuban families must resort to in circumstances where human dignity becomes an absolute priority.
In a case reported in September 2024, in Mayabeque, a family had to carry a coffin on foot for two kilometers to the cemetery, also due to the lack of funeral transportation in the area. This situation, similar to what happened in Consolación del Sur, reflects the chronic nature of the crisis in the Cuban funeral system.
Public outrage
The accumulation of these cases has generated a deep discontent among the citizens, who witness how the shortcomings of the system affect even the most solemn moments of life.
On social media, there is an abundance of expressions of frustration from Cubans demanding immediate solutions to a problem they deem unacceptable.
The shortage of funeral cars, cemeteries in poor condition, and basic materials such as coffins and cement not only impacts grieving families but also highlights the widespread decline of public services in Cuba.
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