A Cuban living in the United States recorded a heartfelt video from a cemetery in Cuba, where his brother is buried, sharing a stark message on social media: the departed are often left forgotten, and no one will care for your loved ones unless you do it yourself.
The man, known on TikTok as Pita el Polemico, posted the video on Wednesday from the family grave, which holds not only his brother - who passed away in 2005 - but also his mother and other relatives. The video quickly gathered nearly 10,000 views in just a few days.
Upon returning to the cemetery after a two-year absence, he discovered a piece of the tombstone lying on the ground, buried under grass. For him, this sight encapsulated the situation perfectly.
"This stone you see here, I just picked it up from the ground, it was buried under the grass. I've been away in the United States for two years, and when I last came, the stone was on top," he explained to the camera.
Pita drew a straightforward conclusion: "This means it's been two years since this stone was thrown here, and no one has visited in those two years."
Reflecting on Abandonment and Responsibility
From this realization, Pita shared a thought-provoking message with his followers: "If you come to realize it, don't stop doing what you must do for others, because no one will stop doing what they must do for you."
His words left no room for doubt: "Here you realize that everyone abandons you, and once you're gone, it's just you and your legacy."
Despite the time and distance, he emphasized his commitment to his brother: "It's been two years since I last came, and here I am, fulfilling my duty to him as I always have."
Widespread Neglect Across Cuban Cemeteries
Pita's experience is far from unique. The massive emigration of Cubans has left countless graves uncared for across the island. Complaints about dilapidated cemeteries, desecrated vaults, and missing remains have proliferated on social media from provinces like Camagüey, Guantánamo, Holguín, and Santa Clara. In December 2025, the family of artist Camila Lobón reported finding their family mausoleum empty at the Camagüey General Cemetery, with open graves and missing remains.
In April 2026, graves reduced to rubble with exposed human remains were documented at another Cuban cemetery, and in May, reports surfaced about missing remains at yet another burial site on the island. Just this June, a Cuban woman publicly lamented the state of her family's final resting place.
The Cuban government itself admitted in 2018 that the country's 800-plus cemeteries were overwhelmed, a situation that has only worsened with the continuous exodus in recent years.
Understanding the State of Cuban Cemeteries
Why are Cuban cemeteries in such poor condition?
The neglect is mainly due to the massive emigration of Cubans, leaving many graves without caretakers. Additionally, the Cuban government itself has acknowledged that the over 800 cemeteries in the country are overwhelmed.
What actions can be taken to improve the state of these cemeteries?
Improvement requires both government intervention to maintain and restore the cemeteries, and community involvement to ensure that graves are cared for and respected.