Princess Elisiva Fusipala passed away. She is a cousin to the King. Members of the Royal Family traditionally belong to the Wesleyan Church and Royals must marry other Royals. Nobel Vahai and Princess Fusipala married and moved to California. While in California Princess Fusipala was introduced to the LDS Church, took the missionary discussions and joined the Church 1989. Nobel Vahai did not join the church until after his death in 2005 and The Princess and Nobel Vahai were sealed in the Temple. (think about that). The Princess' funeral was held at a Stake Center, but because it was a Funeral for a Royal Family member special preparations had to be made at the church.
All the benches were removed from the chapel. A platform was set up for the casket. A second platform was set up for the King and Queen. Matting was placed on the floor to represent Royal Space and blue felt chairs were put in place for the Royal Family to sit on. All other attendees sat in the over flow/gym area. Speakers where the Mission President, Temple President, Area Seventy and Area Presidency Counselor (who is Samoan). It was a great funeral and the Royal Family was taught well on the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Princess was taken by hearse to her village and placed on another platform.
The Princess was carried on the shoulders of 30 men wearing traditional mourning clothing of black shirts, black tupenu (skirt) and grass tavalas. A band led the procession playing funeral march music while the pallbearers carried the Princess to the cemetery about 1 mile in distance.
At the cemetery the grave was dedicated, a family member spoke, and then the pallbearers transferred the casket to the grave, capped it and then fresh sand from the beach was placed over the grave. Note matting was placed on the ground everywhere in her honor and in respect for being Royal.
Family members in traditional mourning attire sitting on tapa matting at the cemetery. After words a big feast had been prepared by the villagers for all who wished to stay and socialize.
What a lovely ceremony for a princess. Thank you for sharing the photos and descriptions of the care and respect they showed this good woman.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a great work and we love reading about your adventures. We miss you at Granite, but we know you are part of a greater work. Thank you for your great example.