Rest in peace, Guna

By Haris Ibrahim,

I was at the Sentul crematorium this morning at about 10.35a.m.

The crematorium is situated in the foreground of this beautiful Athieeswaran temple.

At about 11.30a.m., a hearse brought Gunasegaran’s remains to the Sentul crematorium.

Without fanfare, the casket was placed on the funeral pyre.

Family members and a small number from civil society were in attendance to witness the religious rites that were to be performed before Gunasegaran’s remains would be cremated.

The lady in the light blue dress is Madam Gowri, sister of the late Gunasegaran

From left : YB Tian Chua, Jaya, Syed & Saras ( mother of Francis Udayappan, who died in police custody on 24th May, 2004 )

The casket was opened and fire wood placed inside.

Just below the casket were placed a few items that were to form part of the religious ritual that was about to be performed.

A bunch of bananas, a coconut split in two, an urn bearing burning camphor and a stainless steel dish bearing holy ash and camphor

Visva, the lawyer who represented Madam Gowri in the High Court on the 18th and who was at the mortuary this morning to make sure there were no hiccups when the family went there this morning to remove Gunasegaran’s remains, very kindly shared with me the significance of these items.

The bananas, he told me, represented the continuity of life.

The split coconuts, signified the release of the soul.

The holy ash, which was pointed out to me, is what Hindus would have applied to their foreheads at prayers, is intended as a reminder of the impermanence, transience even, of life on earth.

Then a gentleman from Hindu Sangam informed us that there would be the recital of Hindu hymns as the offering of prayers. Those who could may recite the hymns. Those who could not, may wish to offer prayers on their own.

Prayers for Gunasegaran's soul

I closed my eyes and made a promise to Gunasegaran that I would try to get as many anak Bangsa Malaysia to do all that they can so that, perchance, he may not have died, as he did, in vain.

After the prayers, Gunasegaran’s nephew

began circumambulating the funeral pyre three times, bearing an earthen ware pot filled with water.

At the beginning of each circumabulation, the pot was struck, making a hole for the water to seep through.

At the end of the last circumambulation, the pot was dropped to the ground, shattering.

Visva explained to me that this signified the severance of ties between the recently departed and the living, making it easier for the former to move on.

The funeral pyre was now lit.

Jaya told us that once the fire was lit, we should walk away.

We did.

Gowri came over and expressed the family’s thanks for all the help they’ve received.