Venezuelans face shortage of coffins amid scarcity of materials

Source: GuardianUK

Lack of basic food supplies in country joined by fall in cask production by up to 30% and delayed funerals and burials
Now, even in death, Venezuelans are afflicted by shortages. Coffin production has dropped between 20% and 30% this year for lack of materials, forcing funeral and burial delays and boosting cask prices, industry officials say.

Pedro Navarro, former president of Venezuela's funeral parlor association, has blamed lagging production at the state-run foundry Sidor. In short supply especially was the metal leaf used in the construction of coffins. "Some factories are paralysed. Others are buying thicker leaf," he said.

The country, which has a population of 30 million, has about 50 coffin factories. The president of one of Caracas' biggest coffin companies, Ataudes Venezuela, said that glue, varnish, paint and fabric for the interiors, was scarce.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/12/venezuelans-shortage-coffins-delayed-burials-scarcity-materials