Cuba cremates Fidel Castro early, observes nine days of mourning.

According to information from the Cuban government, Fidel Castro's body will be cremated on November 26th, local time, in accordance with his wishes.

Cuban citizens will have nine days to commemorate Fidel Castro - Photo: Reuters

Early cremation is also a custom in Cuba. But “there will be time to commemorate his life and legacy. Cubans will wake up to the sad news and they will still have time to react,” wrote Bill Grant of the BBC.

The Guardian quoted the Cuban government as saying that the president's funeral would last nine days, culminating in the burial of Fidel's ashes at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery in Santiago de Cuba on December 4th.

Cuban citizens can pay their respects to him at the Jose Marti Memorial in Havana on November 28 and 29. A large march will also be held in Revolution Square in the capital on November 29.

The following day, Fidel's ashes will be carried along the route he and his comrades took to commemorate his 1959 victory before arriving at the Antonio Maceo building in Santiago de Cuba.

On December 4th, at 7 a.m., his ashes will be interred in Santa Ifigenia, the same resting place of Cuban hero Jose Marti and many other leaders.

"During the period of mourning, all public events and activities will be suspended, public buildings and military facilities nationwide will fly flags at half-mast, and television and radio stations will broadcast informational, historical, and patriotic programs," the Cuban government announced.

According to TTO