Brief summary of the funeral - Part 1

A Ghanaian funeral is very special, and I will try to summarize the funeral we went to as I experienced it.

On Friday the 25th we got up early to go to Kwahu for the funeral that was taking place during the weekend. A van had been rented for the trip which lasted roughly 3.5 hours. For the occasion a hotel had been rented to accomodate relatives travelling far, and we moved into our rooms.

Grandma's body arrived in the evening in a black car with sounding sirens and lights. At least two other funerals also took place in Kwahu on the same weekend, and arrived in a similar fashion. There was much crying and the mood was very sad indeed.

The body was laid in state and from 4.30 AM until 9.30 AM on the Saturday and people were invited to come and see Grandma for the last time and say their farewells. A ceremony was also held where speeches were made and we sang hymns in Twi.

The viewing of the body was followed by a service in the presbyterian church grandma used to attend when in Kwahu.

Sorry, running out of Internet time... Write more soon... Maybe even pictures!