A Cuban woman waiting in line for gasoline captured a video of a funeral procession passing by, with the coffin being transported on a cart pulled by a tricycle while mourners walked alongside.
Barbara Pavon shared the footage on Facebook, where it quickly garnered over 20,000 views and sparked a wave of outrage.
In the video, Pavon expresses her disbelief. "Look, a funeral, and they're all walking. Look at the body. Oh Lord, may that person rest in peace," she exclaims as the camera follows the cart's progress.
This brief 35-second clip encapsulates one of the most severe crises in Cuba: the collapse of funeral services.
The comments on the post reflect the mounting frustration. "If the living are struggling, imagine the dead! God have mercy on our country!" wrote one user.
Another remarked, "How sad it is to see what has become of our Cuba, not even in their final moments is the suffering of citizens respected." A third summed up the situation with bitter irony: "Social justice, according to the comrades of the PCC."
One user highlighted the widespread despair, stating, "There’s nothing surprising in Cuba anymore, many people lack food, water, milk for children and the elderly, there’s no money to pay, and often no electricity. If you go to a hospital, there’s nothing."
The extreme fuel shortage is believed to be the reason for transporting the body on a cart. The deterioration of funeral vehicle fleets in Cuba has worsened over the years.
The State of Funeral Services Across Cuba
In Ciego de Ávila, only eight of the 19 funeral vehicles are operational, while in Camagüey, just one vehicle serves the entire city.
Families have resorted to creative solutions: in Banes (Holguín), a tractor modified with truck parts was used as a hearse; in Bauta, a tricycle; in Manzanillo and Santiago de Cuba, cargo trucks; in Mayabeque, families carried the coffin on foot for miles.
A recent and unusual case in Bayamo, Granma, saw a cooperative offering horse-drawn cart services for funerals due to the fuel crisis.
The Impact of the Fuel Crisis
The fuel scarcity exacerbates the situation. In June, the price of gasoline on the black market ranged from 3,500 to 8,000 Cuban pesos per liter. Only three state-run gas stations are operational in Havana, with queues lasting up to 15 hours and a cap of 20 liters per person.
Even Miguel Díaz-Canel admitted in April that Cuba "lacks fuel for almost everything," and Minister Vicente de la O Levy confirmed in May, "We have no fuel, no diesel."
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Funeral and Fuel Crisis
What led to the collapse of funeral services in Cuba?
The collapse is primarily due to the severe fuel shortage and the deteriorating condition of funeral vehicles, forcing families to find alternative means for transporting coffins.
How are families managing funeral processions amid the crisis?
Families have resorted to using tractors, tricycles, cargo trucks, and even horse-drawn carts to transport bodies, reflecting the dire state of resources.
What is the current situation with fuel availability in Cuba?
Fuel availability is critically low, with long queues at gas stations and prices soaring on the black market. The government has acknowledged the shortage, stating there is a lack of fuel for nearly everything.