FUNERAL PYRE
CREMATION AT TAUMARFNLT. WFLUNGTOX, June 14. Tlie cremation of the- body of a Sikh woman, who died at Tanmarunui, was carried out on a funeral pyre i al the cemetery at Taumarunni yesterdiy afternoon. This was ’ the first cremation of a„ body in the town, and Ihe second in the Taumarunui district. There was one about three years ’ago at Tabu, when ®ti.'lndian boy died as the result of a rifle shot. On avrivyl - at the cemetery a number of Indian .friends assisted the has- 1 band of the deceased (Mrs Ildham Knur Harman Singh) .to build the pyre of m,atai logs, a. coed of firewood being used for the purpose. When the pyro, Or “chit-ta” .as the Indians c>H it, y\m. half-built,' the body was brought from tlie hearse .and deposited on the logs. The body was wrapped in fine linen, and .covered over all with a beautiful red cover of flowered sii’k. On, the body wag placed a, floral wreath arm -bunches of , flowers. The husband sprinkled a';bot.tle*bf peyfunie over 'the ’(/Dvocf j l body 'tind scattered /cardan mom isee-d and spices over the pel'-, fume. Then the .attendants, 'arranged twenty-fbii*' lib pats of butter around and on tlie body, and the husband emptied lQ!b of mixed and 41b of sultana,s over the lot. , -
The building of the pyre then, proceeded, the logs being arranged in tiers over the body till it was practically hidden from view.... In India it iij, tlie office of the garaftthi (priest) to light the pyre, but, in the absence' of a priest, the pyre was lighted by the husband, who used paper and dry jßcriib for the purpose, and before long the'whole of the “ohitta’’ was burning fiercely. When the pyre was well alight Kait-ar Singh, a friend of the husband conducted a service in Hindustani. Interpreted, the message lie had to convey was that everybody had to come to the same place—dust to dust and ashes to ashes. He asked God to forgive the sins of deceased' and take her to the .place the Sikhs called “Singh” . (Heaven). At the close of the service the speaker ex-* pressed the appreciation of the IridiauiV for the prtHonce and' sympathy of the tlownspopie. Tpc hiisbaaicl- ftlso expressed his.thanks to.Mr -Marison, the public? the Health’ 'Officer, and ’others/ vho.had helped bim/m his trouble.
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Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1933, Page 6
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391FUNERAL PYRE Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1933, Page 6
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