Saying farewell

Attended by immediate family and close friends, today’s funeral was an intimate gathering. At the end of the service the coffin is opened for the mourners to place flowers inside. A very emotional event.

A small group of us went to the crematorium where, after a few prayers, we waited whilst the cremation was carried out. Finally, as is tradition, we got to view the remains and were asked to transfer some bone fragments to the urn. This is done beginning with the feet up to those of the skull, so that the deceased will be upright within the urn.

Not something we are used to in the west. But strangely comforting for the family.