Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Queensland’s political leaders will join family and friends at the funeral for eight children who were killed at their Cairns home.
The four girls and four boys, aged between two and 14 years old, were found dead at the Murray Street property days before Christmas.
Raina Mersane Ina Thaiday, mother of seven of the children and aunt to the eighth, has been charged with eight counts of murder.
The children were part of the city’s tight-knit Torres Strait Islander community.
This morning’s funeral service at the Cairns Convention Centre has been named Keriba Omasker, which means our children in the Erub dialect, a language of their heritage.
Thousands of people are expected to turn out for the funeral, which will also be attended by Premier Campbell Newman and Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk, who have both suspended election campaigning for the day.
Hundreds of family and friends have travelled from the Torres Strait Islands to attend the service, while bus loads of others have arrived from Brisbane, Townsville and Rockhampton.
The family told the ABC four pastors will lead the service. Pastor Adam Xhafer will be assisted by three Torres Strait Islander pastors.
Two eulogies for the children will be read by aunties and the children’s school friends will light candles.
The service will include songs and hymns in language and a choir performance by a group called Gondwana.
Pall bearers will all be family members.
A procession of 50 cars will follow the hearses as they leave the convention centre to go to the cemetery.
Family ensuring Keriba Omasker are respected at farewell
“I guess one of the things we have to be mindful of is that while this is a funeral, it’s a funeral under unusual circumstances,” said community spokeswoman Yodie Batzke.
“There are tributes being done by the family members.
“I have no doubt it will be a very, very quiet day and a day for everyone to think about how they are with their own family.”
After the funeral, a procession will pass through Murray Street, past the house where the children were killed, before they are buried together at the Manunda cemetery.
Ms Batzke said several families had been working through a sensitive and cultural process to ensure the children were farewelled respectfully.
“They’re coming together and they’re doing the best they can, the way they know how in their family groups,” she said.
“It’s going to be a very sombre day here in Cairns, but I think throughout Queensland and the whole nation, it’ll be good to just keep the family and friends in their prayers.”
Security and extra police have been flown in from across the state to help coordinate the ceremony.
Free bus services have been organised by the Cairns Regional Council to transport people to the funeral, cemetery and a wake at the Cairns Showground.
Several streets across the CBD will be closed to traffic at various times during the day.
Delays are also expected along the procession route and police have asked motorists to avoid the area if possible.
‘Tight-knit community struggling to cope’
Raina Mersane Ina Thaiday is due to face court over the deaths later this month.
Plans are underway to demolish the house where the tragedy occurred, with a memorial to take its place.
Member for Cairns, Gavin King, said many residents in the tight-knit Torres Strait Islander community were still struggling to come to terms with what happened.
“People have had some time for that tragedy to sink in,” he said.
“But to be there on Saturday and to see those eight caskets, it will really bring it home again.”
This story was originally published on ABC and has been republished with full permission.
Top Comments
Rest in peace little angels x