NIRVANA T.E.A.M WORK = A DIGNIFIED FAREWELL

It was the day of funeral procession for the late Mr Ong who was scheduled to depart at 10am for cremation to be held at Nirvana Shah Alam. 

At 7.30am, all our service staff have already arrived at the departure venue, despite some of us who only went off duty at almost 12.30am the night before.  Everyone is punctual.

I saw all the Nirvana vehicles were neatly parked by the side of the driveway in front of the house, the Hearse, the Courtesy Escort Vehicle, the 40 Seater Air-conditioned Bus and the truck tasked to load the clearings of the Altar setting later on.  Our service workers, the music band, the Emcee and the Service Consultants were all seen busy swinging into action, preparing for the ceremony to take place.  This is a typical scene of a funeral departure.   

Soon, the arrival of family's guests, friends and neighbours slowly streaming in to attend the sending off ceremony.  

The Emcee made the first announcement to usher in all the deceased's children, their spouses and grand children to the side of the coffin.  This is the moment, the last chance to see their father, grandfather for one last time. Our Service Consultant was seen guiding them thru this tradition. It was later followed by relatives and friends.

Closing and sealing of the casket then followed suit. This is a heart wrenching moment when tears just flowed uncontrollably. The loud chanting of Amitabha from the Monk was like combating the pounding sound from the hammering of nails into the four corners of the casket.  At this juncture, the band's drum roll begins and it sends a heart breaking signal to everyone that the inevitable final farewell is indeed taking place now.  With our all time Auld Lang Syne being played by the band, it almost never fails to hit hard into everyone's already bleeding heart.

The casket was then being wheeled out to the middle of the road just outside the car porch for a Buddhist final journey ritual to be performed by the monk.  All family members were then given an incense each and followed the monk going round the casket to offer their prayers for the last time.

Upon completion of the prayers, our professional Emcee then took over and conducted the solemn ceremony.  Her first reading was delivering the written eulogy on behalf of the children, with them on their knees before their beloved father. Her brittle voice spoke of all the unwillingness to let go but at the same time telling father that they will be fine and not to worry of them. They then performed three bows signifying their gratitude and love. They later stood at both sides of the casket divided by female to the right and male to the left facing the crowd.

The Emcee then called out for family members by seniority, from the grand uncles and aunts to the juniors distant relatives to friends and neighbours to offer their last respects (three bows).  Nirvana representatives were the last to pay our respect. It was also our way to honour the trust and support given to us in carrying out a memorable and dignified funeral. Our comprehensive and professional Funeral Service is a proper and meaningful closure to a life chapter, and this could mean the world to the bereaved family.

The late Mr Ong's procession was led by all his son-in-laws and followed by all the children and grand children in a short walk around the neighborhood and the family members later boarded the bus heading towards Nirvana Shah Alam crematorium.

After the cremation ceremony, one of the late Mr Ong's children came to us and expressed his sincere appreciation on behalf of his family for a well organised funeral for his late father.

I must take this opportunity to thank all my comrades at Nirvana for a job well done!  Like the saying goes, "The achievements of an Organisation are the results of the combined effort of each individual."  You guys have nevertheless lifted up the name of Nirvana, the No.1 Bereavement Care Provider in Malaysia. Bravo!