A group of workers in Havana dedicated to the production of coffins described their work as a "craft of utmost sensitivity", carried out with "the greatest possible care" despite the challenges in obtaining basic supplies.
In a televised report from the official outlet Canal Habana, the team explained on Wednesday that their objective is for families to find a box “with a good appearance” during a time of grief, and they lament when, due to shortages of materials or transportation failures, some arrive broken at their destination.
The workers emphasize that each coffin is made with the recipient in mind: “we know that it is not easy to lose a loved one, and encountering something horrifying to look at is not the right thing”, they assert, highlighting that “we put forth our best effort” with the available resources.
The work demands long hours —"death doesn't understand days"— and little break, because they must respond to a constant need in the population.
The limitations of supplies affect both the quality of the finish and the interior comfort of the boxes.
The workers list the most common shortages: tacks for the lining, more durable fabrics that do not tear, sponges, and batting to cushion and give “more presence” to the coffins, especially at the head.
"We wish we could do better," they admit, explaining that with better materials they could upholster and present the boxes in a more dignified and lasting manner.
In addition to the production, the distribution chain is a concern: when reports come in about boxes that “break” or “arrive damaged” at their destination, the community feels sadness, aware that these items are meant to bid farewell to a loved one.
That experience, they say, reinforces the commitment to care at every stage of the process and with the possible finish under conditions of scarcity.
The team summarizes its philosophy as follows: it is a job that few are willing to take on, but it requires the utmost sensitivity as it supports families in losses that are "often irreparable."
Therefore, they emphasize that each young person in the workshop is aware that behind every casket there is sorrow, and their task is to ensure that, even in scarcity, the result is dignified for the departed and respectful towards those who bid them farewell.
The shortage of coffins causes long wait times and delays in funeral services.
In addition to the shortage of coffins, funeral services in Cuba face issues with the quality of coffins, a scarcity of funeral vehicles, and deficiencies in the maintenance of funeral homes and cemeteries.
The lack of adequate transportation forces families to seek alternative solutions for the transportation of the deceased.
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