Grandpa passed away (Part 2)
(……continue from Part 1)
When I was about to start the car fetching QQ to school on Tuesday morning, my handphone rang. It was my mum and I immediately sense something not right. Mum told me that Grandpa has passed away that morning. I wanted to go home, right away.
Since hubby was already at work, I sent QQ to school anyway and went to clinic to get some pills for my painful heals. I even brought Korkor to the playgroup (Didi was not feeling well) since there were still plenty of time before hubby arrives home.
We reached Melaka and reached the funeral parlour around 8pm. It was quite as everyone was so loss and did not know what to do. No chanting has been arranged yet on the first night, except some visits from friends and close relatives.
Unlike traditional funeral, it wasn’t really a tired one as family members did not have to be at the funeral parlour for 24 hours a day. Instead everyone took turns to be there during day time, so the rest get to go home to rest. I wish I could stayed longer to accompany Grandpa, but the boys and QQ wasn’t feeling well as it was especially hot although the weather wasn’t sunny. And because their nap time got all messed up, they even napped late till after dinner so we did not get to reach on time and dine together with the rest of the family at the funeral parlour. Hubby and Kakak even skipped dinner a few nights during the wake.
On the 3rd and 4th night, simple chanting and prayers were conducted by the nearby Buddhist Society. Grandpa was placed at the funeral parlour in Bukit Cina for 4 nights and was taken care by an uncle.
On the 5th day, 15 May 2010 (Saturday), we all reached there by 11am, to prepare for our last prayer to Grandpa. At about 1pm, the monk arrive to lead the prayer and all relatives and friends took turns to pay their last respect.
At 2pm, Grandpa leave funeral parlor and was brought to Melaka Memorial Park for cremation. I feel deeply regretted as I did not make it in time to reach and witness as Grandpa entered the cremation chamber :”(
On Sunday 9am morning, we all once went to the Melaka Memorial Park again. Each one take turns to pick a piece of bone from the cremated remains, and put them into Grandpa’s urn (while the rest was grinded into ashes?)
Father who is the eldest was given the honour to carry Grandpa’s Urn, while my brother took over the car and drove him to the Seck Kia Eenh Temple. Grandpa was safetly placed on the 2nd floor of the temple, by 11am on Sunday morning, after a chanting done by a monk.
Rest in peace, Ah Kong, we shall all miss you a lot!
(Pics still in brother’s camera. Hope to get them soon and keep them as memory on my blog)
good that all took turns during the wake. It can be real tiring. Don’t feel sad for not be able to attend on time. Grandpa can understand because u have 3 little kids with you.
it must have been a long week for the whole family. Hopefully didi is feeling better and u take care ok. xoxo
RIP grandpa.
i also missed my granpa’s coffin being put in the cremation chamber and also to see him the last time as i dropped rye li off at the daycare which was on the way. i regretted it so much and was upset they didn’t wait for me.
…but i took it positively that he didn’t want me to cry sending him off as when i got there, nearly everyone had teary eyes.
sorry again for your loss chin nee
Hi dear, So sorry for your loss. What is most important is the love, care and respect you have for him, not the ceremonial tasks. So don’t feel bad for missing out. I am sure he knows you love him and that is the most important.