A distressing and embarrassing incident unfolded over the weekend on a street in Santiago de Cuba, where a funeral car dropped a coffin onto the road during a procession. Witnesses captured the moment on video, which was shared by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, sparking outrage among social media users and highlighting once again the deficiencies in Cuba's funeral services.
The footage shows several family members, visibly upset, having to lift the coffin off the ground and carry it back along the sidewalk. Meanwhile, the funeral vehicle continued on its route, seemingly unaware of the mishap. According to the video, the coffin narrowly escaped being run over by another car traveling down the same street.
"Film it so they know what's happening in Cuba! A car nearly ran over it! What disrespect!" one of the onlookers exclaimed in frustration. The family returned the coffin to the deceased's home, where funeral home employees later resumed the transport amidst the anger and indignation of those present.
As of now, there is no word on whether the responsible funeral service has issued an explanation or taken responsibility for the incident. This event underscores the deterioration of basic services in the country, even during the sensitive time of bidding farewell to a loved one. Social media users lamented the situation, pointing out that not even in death is the respect and dignity owed to any Cuban citizen guaranteed.
Ongoing Crisis in Cuba's Funeral Services
The recent incident in Santiago de Cuba, where a coffin fell from a funeral car into the street, is not an isolated event but part of a series of occurrences that highlight the ongoing decline of funeral services in the country.
In May 2024, another coffin fell from a funeral vehicle on the busy Victoriano Garzón Avenue in Santiago de Cuba, landing in the middle of the road. A similar scene occurred days later on 4th Street in the Marianao neighborhood of the same city.
In January 2025, in Consolación del Sur, Pinar del Río, a group of Cubans had to manually carry a coffin to the cemetery due to the absence of a funeral car. The situation is exacerbated by the shortage of operational funeral vehicles. In Ciego de Ávila, for instance, only 8 out of 19 funeral cars are operational, with the rest out of service due to breakdowns or pending decommissioning.
Fuel shortages have also impacted funeral transport. In February 2025, an official journalist highlighted bureaucratic hurdles and fuel scarcity that nearly prevented his grandmother's burial in Matanzas.
In Guisa, Granma province, due to the unavailability of a funeral car, a family had to improvise the transportation of the deceased in a Flora and Fauna vehicle, which lacked the proper conditions for such a solemn occasion.
These events reflect a structural crisis in Cuba's funeral services, where resource shortages, lack of maintenance, and bureaucratic obstacles undermine dignity during the most sensitive times for Cuban families.
Understanding the Decline of Funeral Services in Cuba
What caused the coffin to fall from the funeral car in Santiago de Cuba?
The incident appears to be due to negligence or a lack of proper vehicle maintenance, as the coffin was not secured properly during transit.
How do fuel shortages impact funeral services in Cuba?
Fuel shortages lead to difficulties in transporting the deceased, as there are often not enough operational vehicles available to meet the demand.
What measures are being taken to address the funeral service crisis in Cuba?
There is currently no indication of significant measures being implemented to resolve the issues within Cuba's funeral services sector.