SIBU, Jan 5: The atmosphere at the Sibu Mortuary was heavy with deep sorrow as three of the nine victims of the Triso ferry tragedy were laid to rest at Nirvana Memorial Park here.
There was sombre silence except for the beating sound of incessant rain.
Mother, Lorna Ting, 33, and her two sons, Alvin Phang, 12, and Wallace Phang, 7, were killed when the four-wheel drive vehicle driven by Lorna rolled off the ferry on New Year’s Day.
The other six victims are Siti Aishah Abdullah, 36 and her five children, Mohd Aiman Mohd Hamdan, 7, Mohd Ahmad Mohd Hamdan, 4, Muhd Mustaqin Mohd Hamdan, 5, Khairunnisa Muhamad, 14, and Nor Shuhada Muhamad, 16, had been buried at the Islamic Graveyard in Kg Hulu, Sri Aman on Sunday (Jan 3).
Family members and relatives were at the mortuary as early as 6am for the funeral service.
As Lorna’s husband, Phang Wei Beng, is a member of the Sibu Chiang Chuan Association, the family received special privilege to use the mortuary free of charge.
The association’s chairman Lim Hong Hui was also present to help ensure that the funeral service was carried out smoothly.
Prior to the closure of the coffins, those present numbering about 60, filed past to pay their final respects to the trio.
The coffins which were carried by hearses were later sent to Nirvana Memorial Park for cremation.
The ashes were later placed in three urns and interred at the memorial park’s columbarium.
Prior to that, prayers according to Buddhist rites were conducted. — DayakDaily
