The Jarjour family from Quebec is in distress after discovering that the remains of their father, Faraj Allah Jarjour, did not make it back to Canada from Cuba, where he passed away while on vacation. Instead, they received the remains of a different man. Despite their efforts to locate their father’s body, they have not received any information on his whereabouts. Faraj Allah Jarjour tragically passed away from a heart attack while on a family vacation in Varadero, Cuba on March 22. His body was left on a beach chair for over eight hours before being transported to Havana.
Jarjour followed instructions from the Canadian consulate and paid $10,000 Canadian to have her father’s body repatriated. However, when the casket arrived, it contained the body of a Russian man who was much younger and had distinguishing features that did not match her father. The family remains in the dark about their father’s location and are desperately seeking answers. Despite contacting various government officials, they have not received any concrete information on the situation and are feeling emotionally drained and frustrated.
Faraj Allah Jarjour was described as an active individual who did not engage in harmful habits like smoking or drinking. His sudden passing has left his family members grieving and searching for closure. The ordeal has taken a toll on his wife and children, who are attempting to navigate through their grief while also trying to unravel the mystery surrounding their father’s remains. The family has already spent a significant amount of money on funeral services that have been postponed due to the mix-up with the remains.
Global Affairs Canada has stated that consular officials are working with Cuban authorities to address the issue, but the family feels that they have not received satisfactory explanations about the situation. Miriam Jarjour, Faraj Allah Jarjour’s daughter, is hoping that Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly will personally intervene to put pressure on Cuban authorities to locate her father’s remains. She feels that the lack of communication and transparency from officials has made it difficult for her family to find closure and peace in this difficult time.
Miriam Jarjour has expressed her devastation over the situation and continues to seek assistance in locating her father’s body. The family remains in limbo, unsure of what steps to take next and how to find the answers they so desperately need. Despite the support from government officials, there is still a sense of frustration and helplessness in their quest to bring Faraj Allah Jarjour’s remains back to Canada for a proper farewell. The family is holding on to hope that they will soon be able to lay their father to rest and find some peace amidst this tragedy.
