We actually got the news just a few days ago only. One of my granduncles passed away on the 17th of October 2008. Attended his Christian funeral today. Even went to see him being lowered and buried into the earth at Choa Chu Kang cemetery. It's at one of those plot of cemeteries next to where 公公's ashes were placed, the Garden of Remembrance, if I remember the name correctly. All his children and grandchildren were present. Of course, me being quite free since I'm not working, I tagged along with my parents. It was the first time I attended such a ceremony. I am actually closest to this granduncle and grandauntie. We often visit them during Chinese New Year. But recently they've fallen sick. Granduncle has kidney failure and has to undergo dialysis every now and then. Grandauntie has deteriorated into a state of unable to speak properly. I dunno the exact illness affecting her, but I think it should be Alzheimar's disease. And so today at the funeral, which was held at the void deck below their house, the pastor read out a speech and everyone proceeded to walk around Granduncle's casket to see him for the last time. There he laid motionless, but I could still recall all the moments chatting with him during those festive periods. He looks pretty much the same thanks to all the makeup. My uncles and aunties, who are Granduncle's children, wept and cried. And then the casket was lifted onto a van and brought to the CCK cemetery. Father then drove me, Mummy and 大姨 to the cemetery where the burial was carried out. Most of Granduncle's immediate children, my uncles, lost control of themselves and cried like mad. But of course like what the pastor said, we should all rejoice because Granduncle has gone to be with the Lord. Poor Grandauntie kept wailing, but we all know that even though she's got Alzheimar's, she still does know what is happening. We all threw flowers into the pit, where Granduncle was lowered. Then a Bangla dug up the surrounding soil and covered the pit, while another guy used heavy machinery to cover up the soil more quickly. That marks the end of the ceremony. One of my closest Grand-relative, now gone. He's gone to keep 公公 company, so that's something good I guess. He's relieved of his endless suffering too, which is having to go for dialysis every so often. It's good news after all.
