Tabi basa & greetings everyone. In this post, I would like to share about Aunty Joyce’s journey to her final resting place, which involves funeral mass that took place at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Miri and Roman Catholic Cemetery 4 Lambir.
Prologue
Previously I have shared about our bible study group with Aunty Joyce which I have joined in 2016 until 2018, where Aunty Joyce acts as our mother-figure in terms of our faith-related matters.
She would gather us and our Tuesday evening bible study was something that we look forward too, where after our bible study, we will have a fellowship and talk about life.
Back then, she was about 71 year’s old but are still sharp enough to lead us in discussions and prayers, as well cracking some jokes. I am blessed for being part of the group. During the time of her passing, she was 81 years’ old.
You can read more at this blogpost.
This reminds also why I love photography, which is “Immortalising Memories”, something that I have been doing since 2017. Prior to that, I didn’t really put much thought into my photography.
“Hi Dear…”
For those who knew Aunty Joyce, they can hear those two little words in her voice. Simple, yet has a profound effect.
The Arrival at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Miri
This is the venue of the funeral mass for Aunty Joyce. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by a familar face: Yow Jin San, fondly called Uncle Yow by those who know him. Sis Magdalene was there but I didn’t manage to take her pictures.
Inside, choir members led by the one and only, maestro Amy Lee was already practicing for the 9am mass, whilst quite a number of congregations arrived. I noticed Siew Moi in the group as well. I joined the choir practice for a while. However, when I noticed that the hearse arrived outside, I went there to capture the images.
Outside, Jac and Jasmine were waiting. Mandy were there too. There was one part where Sera was looking at Scarlet whilst holding Aunty Joyce’s picture, but she was too young to understand what is happening. One day she will.
Entering Cathedral
The AR Casket team carefully moved Aunty Joyce’s casket into the cathedral. Upon her entrance, the congregation stands up as a sign of respect. Most of them are felow church members, and many have known her for decades.
Aunty Joyce is considered as a well-known figure within Catholic community of Miri and she has been serving in the church since her young age and only retire when her health no longer permits.
Before the final respect begins, I said hi to Karen.
Final Respect
As announced by Karen, our on-duty commentator, the rest of the congregations lined-up to give Aunty Joyce one final respect, as well as to give comfort to the grieving family members. Here, one can clearly see that Aunty Joyce’s life was blessed indeed, and her passing is mourned by many. There were some familiar faces too, including Wilson Tigus, Wati Omar & Brandon Lim, Annette & Magdalene Lugo etc.
The choir members gave their final respect towards the end.
Finally when most of the congregations gave their final respect, I went there to look at Aunty Joyce one last time and say goodbye to her.
I still remember what Jac told me: “aunty really loves you”. Without realising, my eyes became warm, filled with tears as I recalled by those wonderful times we had together. She also met my parents and family when they visited Miri couple of years ago.
Once the final respect part was completed, it is time to for her funeral mass.
Funeral Mass
The celebrants for the funeral mass was Rev Fr Peter Hwang, Rev Fr Ronald Jimmy and Rev Fr Henry Saleh. As they enter the church, we sang Alabaré, which means “I will praise” in Spanish. Its full chorus is “Alabaré, alabaré, alabaré a mi Señor”, which means “I will praise my Lord”.
For the first reader, Jac was the lector, followed by Edna as the cantor, singing Psalms 23, “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want”. Gospel reading was done by Rev Fr Henry Saleh, where in his homily also he shared his personal experience with Aunty Joyce, and how she guides him and Rev Fr Ronald during their seminarian days.
Among many hymns that we sang during funeral mass, the one that is the most moving for me is “This Is Jesus”. Aside from its beautiful melody, the lyrics also has its own weight, that you will appreciate when you sing this hymn.
After the mass was completed, the three priests approached Jac’s family and offer them words of comfort because during this difficult time, it is right to pray for strength from our Lord.
Group Photo & Departure
Then, it is time for the final photo with Aunty Joyce at the cathedral. Flanked by the celebrants on both sides, Aunty Joyce’s picture was placed in the middle, surrounded by heart-shaped white roses.
Once the group photo was completed, it is time to march out. Friends and family members continually gave words of comfort to Jac and family to lessen their grief.
After taking photo of the hearse, I dashed to my car so that I managed to catch-up with the convoy to Roman Catholic cemetery at Lambir.
At The Cemetery
Upon arrival there, the weather was a bit cloudy, but it eventually became sunny. There was another group there, but little did I know, it was my friend’s, Asha, family members who recently passed away at such a young age of 31 year’s old, Athur Anyi. I didn’t realise that until I heard Asha calling for my name.
Ahpo was there too. The duo were giving packet of foods to those who present. I picked one, but Asha gave me another one with bavui (pork) in it.
I also met Andy Chi there. We had a chat about life, just a short catch-up after a long while.
Edna, Mel and I also had a chat about life whilst waiting for our turn as the graveyard plot is adjacent, i.e. Row ZZ.
Mel mentioned that these days, with lots going on in our lives, we only meet our friends during big events, not on normal days. This is a start contrast with our younger days where we can meet our friends anytime. I also met Joy for the first time after a long while.
Rites of Commital Begins
Once everyone settled down, Catechist Christina Leong led the prayers, along with Aunty Catherine Chia. Despite the scorching heat, we brave if and everyone stands in silence as the prayers being made. The Rite of Commital means we commit the body to the ground, earth to earth, dust to dust, in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life.
Lowering The Casket
As the casket is lowered by the AR Casket team, we say our prayers, namely, Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be. For us, by saying the prayers, it gave us an internal peace despite our grievances.
Flowers For Aunty Joyce
Instead of throwing soil the the grave, we used flower instead as the cemetery caretakers will cement it afterwards.
Ideally, the flowers are to be placed on top of the casket. But since there not enough space, some of the flowers had to be placed beside the casket.
Once everyone put the flowers on top of Aunty Joyce’s casket, it is time for the caretakers to seal the grave using concrete slabs.
Sealing The Grave
The caretakers expertly sealed the gaps between those concrete slabs before they pout cement mixture on top of the grave. During this time, many went into reflective mode and it was rather silent.
Sera was hugging Aunty Joyce’s image as she quitely observe the caretakers doing their work.
As for me, I capture the moments as it unfolds before my eyes. I also realised Joseph Lihan was there, a senior from UTM, and now big boss.
Placing the Cross
Once cement job was completed, it is time for us to place the cross on top of the grave. Pok Prosta was holding it before, and now his major task was to ensure that the cross is centred above the grave, a task that he collaborated with Sera.
After completed, Aunty Catherine led us in the final prayer before everyone else departs.
Before Leaving
Once the cross was set, Jac’s family take one group photo. After that since they have surplus flowers, might as well put it on Aunty Joyce’s grave and take another photo before we left.
Bonus: Pesuk Laan Athur
Once Aunty Joyce’s funeral concluded, I stayed on to help Asha’s family to take their group photo at Athur’s grave. He will forever known among his family and friends to be someone that is full of life, friendly and cheerful.
Epilogue
Although death brings sorrow to the loved ones of the departed, it makes us realise that we are actually not alone. During this difficult hour, our family and friends will be there to help us; as well as the community come together to support wherever they can to ensure that the grieving family are not alone.
Their presence helps with the needful and their prayers help to provide solace to the grieving spirit.
May God bless the departed souls of Aunty Joyce and her new neighbour, Athur Anyi. Amen.
Your Tukang Rantek,
Claudius (Emcee Claud)
p.s. Claudius is a professional emcee and tukang rantek based in Miri, Sarawak.
