Cuban Families Resort to Cardboard Boxes for Burials Amidst...

What Happened

A stark reality has emerged in Cuba: the inability to bury the dead with dignity due to a severe shortage of coffins. Architect Ileana Pérez Drago reported that families are resorting to using cardboard boxes, similar to those used for shipping goods, for the burial of their deceased loved ones.

This situation underscores a critical breakdown in basic services, forcing unimaginable choices upon grieving families during a difficult time.

Where and When

This distressing situation is unfolding across Cuba as of May 2026. Reports indicate specific issues in provinces like Holguín, where makeshift coffins are being created, and in Caibarién, where artisanal production is the only option.

In Ciego de Ávila, the operational capacity of funeral vehicles is also limited, further complicating funeral arrangements and highlighting the widespread nature of this crisis.

Why It Matters

This crisis goes beyond a mere lack of coffins; it represents a profound loss of dignity for Cubans, even in death. It symbolizes the broader material and social deterioration within the country.

The inability to provide a basic, dignified burial reflects systemic failures affecting essential public services and the well-being of citizens, encapsulating the phrase "neither alive nor dead do we have dignity."

What Parties Say

Architect Ileana Pérez Drago brought this issue to light through her testimony, describing the extreme conditions. Her account details not only the coffin shortage but also the lack of refrigeration for bodies at home due to power outages and the inability of funeral services to cope.

Reports from various provinces and the general inability of funeral services to respond paint a grim picture of the official response and capacity.

What Comes Next

The situation suggests a continued struggle with widespread shortages and infrastructure problems in Cuba. The reliance on external aid, remittances, and packages from abroad highlights the underlying economic fragility.

Citizens will likely continue to face unimaginable challenges in providing basic necessities, including dignified farewells for their loved ones, as the crisis persists.