Blogs

Body of Canadian who died in Cuba and was mistakenly buried in Russia

Jun 2, 2024 | Community News

June 2, 2024

Faraj Jarjour, 68, died of a heart attack while swimming in Cuba on March 22. More than two months later, his body has been returned to Quebec, confirmed by a family friend. The repatriation process, handled by a Cuban government agency, went awry when the body delivered to a Laval funeral home did not match the family’s provided picture.

After media appeals by Jarjour’s children, Miriam and Karam, Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodriguez apologized for the mix-up, stating that an investigation was underway. It was eventually discovered that Jarjour’s body had been mistakenly buried in a Russian town north of Moscow due to a mix-up by Cuban government workers, who had switched two bodies before repatriation.

The Cuban government has agreed to reimburse the family $10,000 for the repatriation costs. The body, although significantly deteriorated, was prepared by technicians for an open casket service. The family plans to receive condolences on Sunday in Montreal, with a funeral scheduled for Tuesday in Laval.

Despite their relief at having Jarjour’s body returned, the family is still grieving the incident and is consulting with a lawyer about seeking financial compensation from Canadian and Cuban authorities. Jarjour is survived by his wife of 35 years, Dina Ghoulam, and his two children.

Did you like this article?

Did you like this article?

0 Comments

Latest Posts

U.S. vs. Mexico Set for Epic Gold Cup Final Clash in Houston

The storied rivalry between the United States and Mexico adds another thrilling chapter this Sunday as both teams face off in the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium in Houston. It’s a showdown fueled by pride, passion, and a deep-rooted history in Concacaf...

Salsa on St. Clair Brought the Rhythm—and It’s Not Over Yet!

Downtown Midtown Toronto lit up with colours, rhythms, and laughter as the 21st annual Salsa on St. Clair hit the streets of Hillcrest Village. Close to half a million people poured onto St. Clair Avenue West, between Winona and Christie, making this one of Canada’s...

Events

Related articles