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.
The People's Parliament 
MsJessyJames
August 23, 2009
Thank you for being there and sharing this with us. Bless you.
Antares
August 23, 2009
A human angel warrior king. That’s what you truly are, Haris. Thank you for sticking your neck out on all our behalfs. Rainbow Blessings on all those who have died at the cruel hands of injustice… and all those who have dedicated themselves to restoring justice in this fair land.
Cynthia
August 23, 2009
Rest in peace Guna…may your death not be in vain.
sampalee
August 23, 2009
Through language or ritual,we express our harmony with the law of nature[Tuhan].As ABM,I stand by you.
Bintulu2007
August 23, 2009
Thank you Haris, because of you and all that stood by him through this ordeal for the search of justice, his soul will surely rest in peace. God bless.
Shakuntala
August 23, 2009
Haris, some telling pictures and recount of the late Guna’s cremation, today.
Reminding us of the premature death in police custody of a poor and simple Anak Bangsa Malaysia.
The backdrop of the beautiful Athieeswaran temple, is significant….that life however simple, however unknown, howwever unwanted, however lowly is still part of the great and beautiful chain called Humanity.
As you rightly observed,Guna went without fanfare and fuss.
And we Malaysians have been given yet another reminder, that life is precious and beautiful, that we need to be more than ever, vigilant. That we will not tolerate any abuse.
xRey
August 23, 2009
Ribuan Terima Kasih En Harris..
May The Almighty Bless you n your kin
May The Almighty Bless us with more of your kind.
Kind,Compassionate,Sincere n Committed…
Thank you Sir..!
Siebel
August 23, 2009
Haris,
Thank you for sharing.
I am so touched by your personal attention to Guna’s affair ….you see to it that his family is guided and supported all the way till the end.
I strongly believe what you put out comes back to you in multi-folds no matter what.
It is touching to know that there is a kind soul like you in Malaysia.
Take care of yourself too….
LChuah
August 24, 2009
Was without the computer for weeks, and then had problem with the router. Saddened at what happened and yes, Haris and all good people deserve the thanks of all Malaysians for caring. If we don’t consider our fellow citizens’ tragedies as our own, who will?
Kumaresan Ramakrisnan
August 24, 2009
Haris,
Thanks for the coverage. I feel we still lack of support from civil society. The murders never stop, so we are!!!
Paul Warren
August 24, 2009
Thanks Haris. May he rest in peace and from above guide us towards justice.
Thanks also for the pictures. From where I am, looking at pictures of what was once my playground, certainly brings back fond memories. Yes, that same cemetery that has been there from long before the second world war. The tales we told each other of the funeral rites, the cremation itself and about the body rising half way through the cremation and how that man with the long stick hits it back down to be completely consumed by the fire. As I said, it was just a tale, but it was always said in a way to invoke fright.
And of course according to Hindu rites, the family returns to collect remnants of the bones and ash on the third day. And whatever mischief I was going to do, had to be done the day before. Like moving remnants of the skull or the teeth where the foot was supposed to be and so on. And if it had been a rich person who had died, there’d be coins to collect. A good day would get me $1 or more. Of course I had to clean it off and the stream running along the boundary then had almost crystal clear water flowing through it.
For a good view of the funeral proceedings we would sit on the bunds of the mining pool on which today stand the apartments that overlook the cemetery. the bunds would have been where the road leading to the cemetery is today. Access to the cemetery was from the opposite side of the present approach. Walking down that tree canopied road that wound between a hillock on one side and the stream, Sungei Untut, I think, on the other that led us to the cemetery sometimes gave you the goose bumps as there’d be no one around and with a whiff of the wind you start imagining ghosts and spirits.
But what is so sad is that today we have people staying in the apartments complaining about the presence of the cemetery overlooking their balconies. Apparently the sight is gruesome.
But hey, it is you guys who decided to move in there and not the other way around.
Lastly, Haris you called the temple Athieeswaran temple. But for as long as I know, it was called Sivan Koil! (Temple). Maybe someone in the know can enlighten me. Wonder if the temple still rings its bell at 7.00 in the morning and once again in the evening. Used to wake up to the sound of that bell. Friday evening prayers used to end with them serving “puka”. Used to go just for that. and my neighbour used to be one of those leading in Hindu hymns in that temple.
Hey, sorry about that ranting….but those pictures got me reminiscing.
sockit2u
August 24, 2009
Haris,
I am with Antares…thank you very much for all the time, concern and energy that your have poured into Guna’s case. May God bless you.
May Guna’s soul rest in peace, Amen.
headsup
August 31, 2009
Sir
I am not a muslim nor an Indian. I find the rituals strange.
Yet you have opened my eyes to appreciate the practices and beliefs of another race and religion.
I never thought a day would come when I learn more about hinduism from a muslim!
Banyak2 arigato.