THE DIARY GAME: HIGHLIGHT ON A FUNERAL FUNCTION I ATTENDED// I'm{21st Feb, 2025}

Hi dear Steemians of my home community @Steen4Nigeria, I hope everyone is doing well 🌹I’d love to share my experience attending my brother’s mother-in-law’s funeral ceremony, which took place few days ago in her home town, somewhere in Northern Cross River State (Yakurr L.G.A.) The journey filled with emotions, exhaustion, and heartfelt moments.

Shoot from Redmi A3X: Set for the journey

The journey to my the village (Ogada) for the burial was a long and exhausting one. We traveled a day before the burial, together with my family and friends. The distance was quite far, and by the time we arrived at the village around 6 p.m. Upon arrival we were extremely tired including the children who slept and woke up severally asking whether we've not reached yet. Quickly, we settled in to rest, freshen you, then had a delicious plate of Jollof rice, which gave me some energy. I rested for a while before joining others to finalize arrangements for the next day’s activities.

Shoot from Redmi A3X: A long a stressful journey

By 9 p.m. in the evening, the ambulance arrived at the compound, carrying the remains of my brother’s mother-in-law for her final honor, according to their tradition, the corpse must get to the family compound first before being taken to the school field where the night of vigil took place till dawn. Upon the corpse arrival, the compound was packed with people, and as soon as the ambulance was opened an overwhelming wave of sorrow filled the air😭

Shoot from Redmi A3X: Ambulance arriving the compound at night

People started crying 😭 😭 I was deeply moved by the realization that they would never see her again. It was quite an emotional moment for everyone. After the ambulance departed, to the venue for the night Virgil at a school field due to lack of enough space to accommodate people at the family compound, we all got back to work, assisting in food preparation for the next day’s event. By 1 a.m., we had finished steaming the meat and slicing the Afang leaves for the soup. Completely exhausted, I took a shower and went to bed.

Shoot from Redmi A3X: During food preparation

At about 4 a.m we were all awake, had our morning devotion then everyone went back to their assigned duties, for the cooking proper to commenced. I hurriedly completed mine because I didn’t want to miss any part of the burial ceremony. My duties were, cutting waterleaf for the Afang soup, I assisted in packing takeaway rice into the surveniers food pack, and added stickers to the souvenirs. After then, I freshen up, and proceeded to the field where the main burial service was held. Pastor Mbam from another denomination officiated the ceremony, leading with prayers and collecting donations for the bereaved family. This was followed by a general offering and the final lying-in-state before the casket was taken to the graveside.

Shoot from Redmi A3X: At the funeral ceremony

Unfortunately for me, at the end of the event on the field I couldn’t follow to the burial site as I had to attend to invited guests, distributing food, drinks, and souvenirs. Everyone was well served and satisfied. Most people took two rations of foods of which were rice and swallow. The food was surplus to God be the glory, the burial ended well. Later that night, a heavy rain poured, bringing relief and ensuring a peaceful rest after such a long and emotional.
Mummy Esther Wisdom was a Pastor, she was survived by husband who is also a pastor, children, grandchildren, sister, uncle, inlaws a a host of others to mourn her death. May her Gentle soul RIP 😭😭 She was lived an examplary life and will forever remain in our hearts 💕
Next morning was the thanksgiving service then we zoomed back and landed at our destination successfully. WE GIVE GOD THE PRAISE FOR A SUCCESSFUL BURIAL CEREMONY 🙏

I call on my friends to join me sympathized with my in-laws family 🙏
@etette
@nsisiong2009
@machukky