The late Qarase will be laid to rest beside his late mother at the community cemetery of Mavana Village

The late former Prime Minister and Tui Kobuca Laisenia Qarase will be laid to rest beside his late mother at the community cemetery of Mavana Village and not in the chiefly burial ground, the Sautabu.

[Video By: Leah Hanisi]

Samisoni Pareti who is one of the coordinators for the media during the funeral in Vanuabalavu says it was one of Qarase’s wishes to be buried beside his mother.

The funeral cortege of the late Qarase arrived in Vanuabalavu after 10am and stopped over for a few minutes in “Naivaka” - Qarase’s house in Mavana village.

The Vatulave Clan is tasked with burying the late Tui Kobuca.

The funeral cortege left Oceania Hospital in Suva at about 7am today.

They stopped over at Qarase’s residence at Moti Street in Samabula and then made their way to Nausori Airport.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Leba Qarase, seven children, 27 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

[Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma]