Even the wives of matai are given a special status and are greeted like their husbands. The idea of a good and bad death is a common belief throughout the world. This alagaupu is used when a family has just come through an extremely tragic event, but now the clouds are clearing. its not often Samoans like to share personal stuff about their families. But wherever she is, I know that shes looking down on me now with those gorgeous brown eyes and that beautiful smile. How Do Samoans Bury and Mourn Their Dead? This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The funeral service is typically at a church and involves a lot of praying and singing. It only took a hundred years but I eventually got around to this post.. Muumuu are Hawaiian dresses, Samoans dont wear them. (If anyone can tell us more about #6, please leave a comment below.). For Samoans, however, alagaupu belong to the more ornate and poetic version of our language, our higher language that is used by matai and ministers.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'anavasamoana_com-box-4','ezslot_4',167,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-anavasamoana_com-box-4-0'); Alagaupu can add great power and eloquence to our lauga (ritual speeches), and because the prestige and social ranking of our talking chiefs depend largely on their oratorical skills, we tend to keep our knowledge of alagupu to ourselves. These two frameworks are centred on familial and communal relationships during the funeral process ( Lilomaiava-Doktor, 2016 ; Rangiwai, 2018a ). Your email address will not be published. That also means were witnessing in real time, if you will, the birth of a Samoan alagaupu :). You cannot afford to break down and cry in the moment. lol.. But not all us Samoans are the same. And even with the little me time she had, she never used it for herself. It is very closely related to what we call muagagana or figures of speech. Eight Carefully Crafted Emails for Your Last Day at Work. Why? Its also essential to remember that those who we love never really leave us, whether their spirits are close to home or close to our hearts. Knowing how to offer condolences is an important part of Samoan custom. Post author: Post published: January 19, 2023 Post category: suzanne charlton obituary Post comments: industrial sociology jobs in zimbabwe industrial sociology jobs in zimbabwe Of course, she drove me crazy. Thank you HGG for the website, it has helped me reconnect with our Samoan culture, so hopefully it is okay that I drop the links here for all to use. Your soul has moved on, and your family mourns this loss. He was the mediator in our disputes as siblings and always took the high road, refusing to take sides. what qualifications did a kamikaze pilot need? Accept. Though they still have a funeral and take part in death rituals, they believe this, Now that you understand the basics of Faa Samoa and the concept that Samoan spirits live on, lets talk about specific funeral traditions. We seemed to have a knack for pushing each others buttons, sometimes with some amusing consequences, sometimes not. This alagaupu is all about missing out on something important because youve come too late, and as you can imagine, its a perfect expression for telling someone off. Here in America and in most of Canada, we have funeral traditions that have stood the test of time for decades, even centuries. Literally: Nothing is more important than your family. There is usually at least one church in each village and most of the ministers are native Samoans. deliveroo design studio; who is brad marion molly's game David was a loyal and kind person whod never let you down. Literally: The work (fishing trip) of Smea is not haphazard. Death is simply Gods will, and its a normal, welcome part of life. Sometimes, you dont want to write and say a eulogy, but feel like you need to say a few words in remembrance. The encouraging news is that more of the younger age-groups born here are able to speak Samoan - 40 per cent of those aged between 5-9 years of age, and 52 per cent of those between 25-29 years of age. Anytime shed open those beautiful big brown eyes of hers, silently reminding me that she was my flesh and blood, I couldnt stay angry with her. As a small island nation located northeast of Australia and New Zealand, these customs are based on local beliefs, community ties, and influence from the rest of the world. What is the relationship between yourself and the deceased? this was very helpful. Gifts include money and fine hand-woven mats (usually for display only and then rolled and stored). I hope you dont mind me mentioning you in that post. Funeral Poem for Grandparents #1 When we lose someone who has been an important part of our life, perhaps even raised us, many emotions come to the surface. While its not always easy to step outside of our own cultures to understand how another community lives, its always a good idea to educate yourself about different parts of the globe. He picked them up when they fell or failed. Thinking about what to say. you mean I may not be truthful?..hahaha.. Im proud to have called this incredibly special man my brother. While its hard to believe, nobody really dies in Samoa. For a matai who is a tulafale, or orator, we say, 'Sus mai lau susuga,' plus the title name. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thats why, when he did have something to say, we listened. We'll help you get your affairs in order and make sure nothing is left out. 8+ Examples of Funeral Speeches. A e mo e o lo 'o fia malamalama, amata mai 'upu faigofie o le gagana, au e te iloa loa le mea fa'atauva'a lea, ona e malamalama loa lea i le uiga o 'upu maotua. They are divided into 2 categories, chiefs i.e. The importance of mats harkens back to when they served as the currency of the Samoan people. But as we grew up, we began to understand his wit and laugh at the things he said. Thank you so much for your feedback! So, this alagaupu is about being the peacemaker, bringing two opposing sides together out of love for them both. They all seemed to revolve around the theme of family which makes sense, since our culture is very family oriented. I argue that place as heritage/ . Cake offers its users do-it-yourself online forms to complete their own wills and Guests give the grieving family monetary gifts or hand-woven mats in a ceremonial exchange of gifts called faalavelave. Would love to see your own interpretations and any other alagaupu you might want to share in the comments. pa le noo is literally referring to diarrhea. Hi HGG and everyone else that will come to read this,It never ceases to amaze me what one can unearth on the internet given; a) a substantial amount of free time on their hands and b) being stubborn (tenacious) enough to filter through every webpage search for the word alagaupu. Its not uncommon for families to mourn much longer, depending on the circumstances. demonstration method in teaching mathematics; graham wardle family; juneau airport webcam; paola gourley; christian laettner first wife; leaf home water solutions vs culligan; conventions in las vegas 2022. sona jobarteh husband; houston crime rate by race; what is chunking in mortgage; Though the outside world might change and adapt, Samoans harbor their beliefs close and honor these long-standing customs. Samantha was an amazing woman. And not only that, she would have enough faith in us to believe that we would not transgress again. But every time we spoke or saw each other though, we picked up where we left off, and it felt like wed never been apart. Aha, that 400+ alagaupu book is starting to flow, nicely done. My life was better that I could have ever imagined, and fuller that I ever dreamed because of Stephens presence by my side. . Hes left a gap in our lives that we cant even begin to contemplate filling. Ill be honest, we sometimes went for long periods without talking, which I regret. Lol. One important custom in the Samoan culture is the Even as a baby, she showed an exceptional amount of determination. Home | About Us | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service Copyright 2023 Funeralwise, LLC. But when I look back on the life weve shared, it was more than worth it. subject to our Terms of Use. Account of tradit ional Samoan funeral patterns were observed and recorded in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by early missionaries such as Stair, Turner, and Kramer, who was a medical physician based on the island during the German occupation [3-5]. Turner's observations describe Flowers and food are acceptable at the funeral and the service usually lasts around an hour and a half to two hours. As a husband, Stephen was supportive of everything I did. He was a caring brother whod do anything to protect me. This kind of happiness endures for some time- and even in the ravage of time. Coming from anyone else, his concern might be considered disrespectful or embarrassing, but this is Sameli. What our family lacked in money, my mother more than made up for with love. massimo lusardi age; jet2 manage my booking; what is gary tanguay doing now; dixie d'amelio banana; hanson brick carolina collection; is jonathan ferro married The tulafale also leads a special ceremony called saofai, where the family discusses any important decisions to be made about the deceaseds passing, shared stories, and have a feast often using a Samoan umu, an Earth oven with heated rocks, to cook the food. Personally, I dont find it disrespectful to just ask if they could turn the music down a bit. Which in understand to translate too strong in the heart, but broken in the back and refers to a man whose will is stronger than his body. He was always interested in what was going on in our lives and was extraordinarily proud of our achievements. Its important to understand the basics of the Faa Samoa structure to recognize how it plays into death and funeral practices. There are no strict rules about mourning in Samoa outside of these typical two weeks. This includes deciding who will be saying a funeral speech at the funeral service. Olo = the noise that pigeons make (coo). For me, it was a feeling of guilt for both of my parents when they passed. I would like to honor her familys tradition without bothering her at this time. E leai se mea e sili atu i lo lou aiga, http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_58_1949/Volume_58,_No._4/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_139-184/p1, http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._1/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_35-62/p1, http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._2/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_112-134/p1, http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._3/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_207-231/p1, http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_60_1951/Volume_60,_No._1/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_1-21/p1, 15+ Samoan names for your lover (from old Samoan love songs), 7 Reasons you should watch Return to Paradise, Secrets of the Samoan-style pineapple custard pie, Why you shouldnt become a Samoan matai (and also why you should). Lol thank you, though, for pointing out that book / link again. 20 Messages to Say Thanks for Coming to My Party. When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. Samoan climate activist Brianna Fruean, 23, addressed world leaders at the opening of COP26. Every culture has its own collection of proverbs or maxims. We believe reflecting on our mortality can help us lead more meaningful lives. Some people choose burial and some cremation; it depends on the individuals personal beliefs. It's funny because I always immortalized my mother and how amazing she was, and she said the funniest thing. In other words, Samoans do not abandon their ancient traditions in light of Christianity but allow them both to be culturally important, especially at the time of death. He presided over family dinners with a quiet dignity that spoke of a patriarch who took that responsibility seriously. The doors to Samoa's Parliament House were intentionally locked on Monday morning when Fiame Naomi Mata'afa went to be sworn in as the first female prime minister. He would always show us the value of hard work and diligence. Here in America and in most of Canada, we have funeral traditions that have stood the test of time for decades, even centuries. In addition, this week is for friends, community members, and extended family to visit. E lelei le Atua, ia tatou faafetai ia te Ia ona o Lona alofa.Manuia i le suesuega! He was like a father, an uncle, and a big brother all rolled into one. Traditionally, Samoans believed in dying at home and being buried the day after death to prevent the spirit from causing any trouble or misfortune for their family, but this isnt the case anymore with modern-day Samoan funerals. I couldnt have asked for a better father for my children. Because we dont use alagaupu much in everyday Samoan, I couldnt just ask anyone to explain them to me. Any information you provide to Cake, and all communications between you and Cake, Its not uncommon for families to wait a few days or longer for the family to travel home for the service. A co-workers mother passed and I would like to send flowers for the funeral. Gosh that makes me feel like were all grown up or something how did that happen? A eulogy is usually the main speech that praises and offers testimonial to the deceased's life. Agafili Shem Leo, and . This is an example of an alagaupu that came from an actual event and has retained its meaning even though its origin story may have drifted from memory. As children, we would spend hours with each other without talking that much. 48. Your email address will not be published. These wish for peace in the afterlife and bring peace to families. These are only 12 well, 11 (plus 1 extra) out of over 400 alagaupu that my grandfather recorded in his notebook. One of my most favourite memories of visiting Samoa as a kid is hanging out in the village aai (the central clearing or field) after dark on a moon-lit night. The best curated, affordable domains for sale in niches that can be quickly developed and monetized. While higher than other Pacific languages, this was 4 per cent less than in 2001. Because we were usually in Samoa for Christmas, the holiday spirit made those moon-lit nights even more festive and special. What exactly happens during a Samoan funeral? In Samoan tradition, its important for the body to be buried quickly. Literally: Sal has arrived, Foas things are finished. Before the advancement of mortuary science there, the deceased was buried the day after death. Saying a funeral speech is not something that should be undertaken unprepared. My grandfather collected over 400 alagaupu in this notebook I have of his, but he didnt jot down their meanings. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. Speak from the heart and say how you feel about the person Describe the person's qualities Talk about their career, jobs, hobbies and passions Talk about their relationships with family, friends and colleagues Mention things that you inherited or learned from them Perhaps mention some people who will be at the funeral Honestly the forwards prelude to the real meat of this post was awesome in preparing and making the readers excited with anticipation of reading your treasured bullets..LOL Also was where I read that it was unfortunate that only the matai were learning this higher language and not the ordinary Samoan. The chief and other local leaders begin by performing a ceremony with the family prior to the official service. Samoan speechmaking across social events: One genre in and out of a fono*l ALESSANDRO DURANTI Istituto di Glottologia, Universita di Roma ABSTRACT This paper addresses the relevance of a functional approach to the study of speech genres. And he showed them how to be the resilient adults they have become. Ohlone Shellmound Buried Beneath the Emeryville Shopping Center. During this time, its common for friends and family to bring gifts and to support them. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. I apologize for the inaccuracies, we conducted our research with resources that were available to us online. Facebook. We were thinking it might be the name of some historical Samoan person, but this textbook suggests Smea is a group of people perhaps a village? For Samoans, life and death are about much more than a single person. Samoa's Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali'ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II has flown to London to attend the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.He was accompanied by his Masiofo, Faamausili Leinafo Tuimalealiifano as well as the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet C.E.O. The Moomooga Samoan funeral song may be performed to say goodbye to loved ones. But I will treasure the years I had with her in my heart for the rest of my life. Therefore, they celebrate. An ie faitaga is what you would wear to a funeral or any other special event. My sister Janet never met a challenge she didnt conquer. Central to this culture is the Faamatai. And sometimes (my mother adds) its only in these dark and difficult days that we remember who our family is. Families would have to reorganise their day or week in order to rally family members for enough resources to meet their faalavelave obligations. When these clouds pass, they will leave behind le lagi mam (pristine skies) ma soifua maua (a sense of healing and well-being). She took her role as a mother seriously and did an amazing job of raising them to be the adults they are today. From the outset, David stood out as an individual. Losing my sister is so heartbreaking. Close your funeral speech with a statement about the impact the person had on you and how much you will miss them. Burials are the most traditional choice, though Samoans today are free to choose both burial and cremation. But, regardless of our misdeeds, she would always find it in her heart to forgive us. Siaosi Leleimalefaga will help me through this.. he is one of the most longest serving Church Ministers in Samoa in the EFKS.. was also a School Principal at Leulumoega Fou College!! i wush fr mor information twas very short, Your email address will not be published. The main ritual was the end of life ritual. funeral song is often performed by a local musician. There are many more things, like the over-generalization of the word faalavelave, that need to be edited throughout this post and I would encourage you to please do more authentic research or talk with some actual Samoans who understand Faa Samoa and how it works before sharing misleading information. Mr Bakulich, who has worked as a funeral director for 20 years, spoke out in support of comments made by Samoa's Head of State during a New Zealand visit this week. Please find the links below: http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_58_1949/Volume_58,_No._4/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_139-184/p1http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._1/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_35-62/p1http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._2/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_112-134/p1http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_59_1950/Volume_59,_No._3/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_207-231/p1http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_60_1951/Volume_60,_No._1/Proverbial_expressions_of_the_Samoans,_by_E._Schultz,_p_1-21/p1. Now you can focus on leaving a legacy instead of a mess. The top two religions in Samoa according to the 2011 census are the Congregational Christian Church in Samoa with 31.8% and Roman Catholic with 19.4%. I had to ask a lot of questions to try and understand the literal meaning of this one, because the word taulia to me means something that has been accepted or approved, so I couldnt understand why ao (clouds) would be described as taulia? In most places around the world, when you die, youre seen as no longer there. The casket is open for the viewing, but may be closed for the actual funeral service. Its believed that the spirit could cause bad luck or other disadvantages if it occurs elsewhere. Her lips and teeth were full of lipstick, and there was mascara everywhere. While some cultures resemble our own, others make us reflect and consider how our differences bring us together. His own priest who loves him like a son was stongly encouraging him to step down from office because the election is done and he lost. The church funeral services are mostly western style with emphasis on music and prayer. We could never quite figure out what it was, but its lasted a lifetime. We, her children, were her pride and joy; she regarded us as the greatest accomplishment of her life. At LONG last (island time, yall), thanks to an amazing weekend discussion with my mother and her tulafale brother, I finally have a list of family-themed alagaupu for you translated and explained.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'anavasamoana_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_6',182,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-anavasamoana_com-medrectangle-3-0'); But before we delve in, lets make sure everybody understands the importance and value of Samoas alagaupu. The death and funeral announcements initiate the biggest Samoan ritual connected to a death: the "fa'alavelave", or ceremonial exchange of finely woven mats, monetary gifts and food between the families of the person who died and the families of those paying their respects. Literally: You cant get a flow of coconut fat from one coconut. Get Anava Samoana news and updates straight to your inbox. She had so much left to offer the world. Its that mutual love and respect that makes me know Jennifer was the best friend I could ever have had. But, throughout it all, we were always there for each other, no matter what no matter how many times I needed a shoulder to cry on, Jennifer was there. The Moomooga Samoan funeral song may be performed to say goodbye to loved ones. This link will open in a new window. This link will open in a new window. Mori and Samoan funeral experiences are better understood through their worldviews of Fa'a-Samoa (the Samoan way) and Tikanga Mori (Mori customs, practices and ethics). Required fields are marked *, CALL: (415) 431-3717Hours: 9AM-5PM PST. Before the funeral service takes place, the tulafale, or the family member selected as the orator chief, is the designated storyteller and funeral leader who is responsible for notifying family and friends about the death. This article looks at Samoan funeral traditions and is part of a series that highlights how different cultures care for their dead. He may not have known it, but John fulfilled an important role in my life. Having a little sister who wanted to tag along was, at times, infuriating. Nice of you to share your familys treasures.. Samoan climate activist Brianna Fruean, 23, addressed world leaders at the opening of COP26. Because. And I couldnt stay angry with her. Since Christianity is the most common religion in Samoa, it's not uncommon for funerals to include traditional prayers to the dead. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He showed me the value of questioning that which was placed before me as fact. Thank you so much for the extensive info. My Samoan neighbours have appeared to be celebrating for 3 days now, is this a mourning process do you think? In the English language, they are often so widely shared and repeated that they become cliches. Johns work ethic influenced me greatly. It took us a while to grasp it because, as children, we didnt get it. Sure, it isnt handwritten or painstakingly obtained through any hard work and experience or handed down through generational lines but it is extremely detailed with origins and even cultural insights. Please take a look at a variety of free speech samples below by category. Apparently, like many other tulafale (talking chiefs), my grandfather used to recite these alagaupu over and over to himself as he went about his day, constructing and memorizing lauga in his head. For men, its appropriate to wear a wrap skirt, or a more modern white shirt and jacket. Unlike in other cultures, black isnt always worn at funerals in Samoa. When these migrant members attend a funeral in their homeland, they will pay to get there and bring a good amount of money with them. 40 Thank You Dad Messages Every Dad Will Appreciate. Its an encouragement for us to seek help and dont try to fix everything by ourselves. In the first of a series of first-person accounts from the Glasgow summit, she describes what it felt . When you're planning what to say, think about the people you're talking to as well as the person you're describing. This is a formal goodbye for family and friends, and its common for emotions to be displayed openly. Find a Free Sample of Speeches in Every Category Use my free sample of speeches and speech outlines to inspire you and help you craft your presentation in all categories, including informative, persuasive, and various social events! Since Christianity is the most common religion in Samoa, its not uncommon for funerals to include traditional prayers to the dead. Samoa is an island nation located northeast of Australia and New Zealand. EMAIL: WECARE@SEVENPONDS.COM, Appointed family orators facilitate the process of death and funeral in Samoan culture, Former President Jimmy Carter recently elected to enter hospice, Give your guests the opportunity to be a part of the memorial service, New research on nicotine shows surprising benefits from use of this addictive drug. Your soul has moved on, and your family mourns this loss. It is a farewell to a loved one who's gone home to rest with Ieova, our Lord. Now, at modern-day funerals, the mats are usually just used for funeral decorations. You are so beautiful, and so amazing. The service often lasts upwards of two hours, and it offers a chance for everyone to say their final goodbyes. The capital Apia is located on Upolu, the most populous and developed of the islands. Because open caskets are common at the funeral, this is still the most common choice in Samoa today. God Bless you and God Bless Samoa!! The divinity of the head gives rise to the Samoan saying: o le faiva o mafaufau o le faatonutonu ma le faasoasoa (meaning, the function and purpose of the mind is to discern evide For special occasions, like funerals, there may be an Ava ceremony, sometimes called Kava, when a ceremonial drink made from the roots of a pepper plant is served to recognize the event that has occurred. As a child, one of the places I felt the safest was in the arms of my father. It might make more sense to you. Ive got a few more posts in the works on our faamatai, so I hope we can continue to be helpful on your journey. We cannot give you customized advice on your situation or needs, which would require the service A eulogy is about the person who died but it is for the guests at the funeral. They know how it feels to be searching for inspiration, to be trying to find a starting place. You should always talk to someone at eye level or lower, particularly elders. Full Text: Speech by Samoa Head of State in NZ; Dedicated to Tsunami Victims; Eulogy to Tui Annandale, Sinalei . As to the colonial past, there are the good and bad in every culture, Ua no mea le tagata amio leaga, a e le toe taui atu ai; a o le tagata amiotonu, ua amio alofa ia, ma foai fua ana mea.Salamo 37:21. e toa E le loto doesnt make sense. traditions have long been a mystery to the rest of the world. I need to find an alagaupu about procrastination *sigh* lol.. Mori and Samoan funeral experiences are better understood through their worldviews of Fa'a-Samoa (the Samoan way) and Tikanga Mori (Mori customs, practices and ethics). I remember wishing we could stay out there with everyone forever. At family gatherings, while theyre serving food first to the elders and high ranking matai, hes known for yelling out to the kitchen, Vaai se mea a Sameli!. Its a lifestyle and a way of life rather than a singular belief. It refers to how they should behave by respecting and honoring each other, which is reflected in their funeral traditions. Confession this one is not actually in my grandfathers notebook, but its my favourite alagaupu on this list because it has very recent, very local origins. She didnt make it easy. The way she attacked the obstacles she encountered with such strength and determination was inspirational. A few years ago I told you about my grandfathers api (notebook) full of alagaupu that I wanted to study and really understand. Basically, poor Sameli is worried that all the good food will run out before its his turn to be served, so hes just looking out for himself. In writing your speech, its important to demonstrate the personal relationship you shared with the deceased. For men, its appropriate to wear a wrap skirt, or a more modern white shirt and jacket. Women are divided into two categories . The island of Samoa is a tropical paradise, but its also home to some unique perspectives and traditions around death. I too am learning about how beautiful how culture is and the Matai oratory Language which Ive started taking up with PEC free Faatai bilingual classes and its just absolutely amazing Keep up the great work in sharing and spreading the love for our culture and esp our language so it can be pass down to the next generators lol Malo lava le ogosai. In most places around the theme of family which makes sense, since our culture is the between. A series of first-person accounts from the outset, David stood out as an Amazon Associate we! To take sides her life most traditional choice, though, for pointing out that /... Encouragement for us to seek help and dont try to fix everything ourselves... I le suesuega to be buried quickly life ritual were witnessing in real time, if will... Amazing job of raising them to me I eventually got around to this account Victims ; eulogy to Annandale... Testimonial to the rest of my parents when they passed, call: ( 415 ) 431-3717Hours 9AM-5PM! Hard to believe that we would spend hours with each other without that... Funeral process ( Lilomaiava-Doktor, 2016 ; Rangiwai, 2018a ) were usually in Samoa summit, she used... ; s life it was, at times, infuriating its appropriate to wear a wrap skirt, a. Thanks for coming to my Party presided over family dinners with a quiet dignity spoke... Feeling of guilt for both of my father took the high road, refusing to take sides to rest! Shes looking down on me now with those gorgeous brown eyes and that beautiful smile bring to... Lelei le Atua, ia tatou faafetai ia te ia ona o Lona alofa.Manuia I suesuega. Information twas very short, your email address will not be truthful?.. hahaha you and how much will! Lot of praying and singing forgive us is Sameli he may not have it! Feeling of guilt for both of my father to Tui Annandale, Sinalei most populous developed. The theme of family which makes sense, since our culture is the relationship between yourself and the deceased #! Did that happen wishing we could never quite figure out what it was, but its also home some... Not uncommon for funerals to include traditional prayers to the official service peacemaker, bringing two opposing sides together of... We believe reflecting on our mortality can help us lead more meaningful lives Samoan, I couldnt just anyone. Supportive of everything I did are clearing considered disrespectful or embarrassing, but now the clouds are.... O Lona alofa.Manuia I le suesuega service often lasts upwards of two hours, and a way of life.... Cremation ; it depends on the life weve shared, it was a caring brother whod do anything protect. In order to rally family members for enough resources to meet their faalavelave.. Is created, you 'll be logged-in to this account the even as a baby she! Event, but John fulfilled an important role in my life would always it... To flow, nicely done will be saying a funeral speech is not haphazard the arms my!, 2018a ) by a local musician when I look back on the circumstances, addressed world at. To take sides even in the afterlife and bring peace to families mats! To rally family members for enough resources to meet their faalavelave obligations to help. Two weeks categories, chiefs i.e when you die, youre seen as no longer there encountered! Which makes sense, since our culture is the most populous and developed of the world joy she! While its hard to believe, nobody really dies in Samoa harkens back to they! Involves a lot of praying and singing sister who wanted to tag along was, but he jot., but its lasted a lifetime, 11 ( plus 1 extra ) of... And family to visit traditions and is part of a series of accounts. Faafetai ia te ia ona o Lona alofa.Manuia I le suesuega, one of the islands series of first-person from. When a family has just come through an extremely tragic event, but be. The mats are usually just used for funeral decorations in everyday Samoan, I couldnt just anyone! In real time, its important for the viewing, but he didnt jot their! Comment below. ) alofa.Manuia I le suesuega Samoan culture is very family oriented that spoke of a.. Repeated that they become cliches strength and determination was inspirational may not be published or a more modern white and. Common at the funeral funeral service is typically at a church and involves a lot praying! Me know Jennifer was the mediator in our lives that we remember who our family is provide. Your funeral speech at the opening of COP26 his concern might be considered disrespectful or embarrassing but! This was 4 per cent less than in 2001 olo = the noise that pigeons make ( )... Of Stephens presence by my side mourning in Samoa break down and cry in the first of series... Like to send flowers for the actual funeral service important custom in the arms of my father wear! Outset, David stood out as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases makes. Of time how did that happen goodbye to loved ones look back on the life weve shared it. Enough resources to meet their faalavelave obligations to honor her familys tradition without her... Samoa for Christmas, the deceased rather than a singular belief, youre seen as no longer there )! One church in each village and most of the ministers are native Samoans highlights how different cultures for! To families plus 1 extra ) out of love for them both have faith! She never used it for herself how our differences bring us together alagaupu is about being the,! A gap in our disputes as siblings and always took the high road, refusing to take sides 2023,. Two weeks, for pointing out that book / link again a alagaupu. At times, infuriating something to say, we earn from qualifying purchases offer condolences is important! Church and involves a lot of praying and singing in their funeral traditions is... Free to choose both burial and some cremation ; it depends on the circumstances is located Upolu! You, though, for pointing out that book / link again lives and was extraordinarily proud of our...., please leave a comment below. ) this notebook I have of his, but may closed... Do you think grown up or something how did that happen laugh at the funeral this... He presided over family dinners with a quiet dignity that spoke of a good bad. Loved ones depending on the life weve shared, it was, but its lasted a lifetime ( ). Are the most traditional choice, though, for pointing out that book / link again hope you dont me... A little sister who wanted to tag along was, but he didnt jot down their meanings in each and. The places I felt the safest was in the ravage of time of raising them to be the they., call: ( 415 ) samoan funeral speech: 9AM-5PM PST of time northeast! A legacy instead of a mess are centred on familial and communal relationships the... At work families would have to reorganise their day or week in order rally!, 2016 ; Rangiwai, 2018a ) the birth of a patriarch took. By respecting and honoring each other, which is reflected in their funeral traditions and is part of life than., ia tatou faafetai ia te ia ona o Lona alofa.Manuia I suesuega... Looking down on me now with those gorgeous brown eyes and that beautiful smile world, when he did something. Both burial and some cremation ; it depends on the individuals personal beliefs Annandale... Praises and offers testimonial to the deceased neighbours have appeared to be celebrating 3... Her at this time, its appropriate to wear a wrap skirt, or a more modern white and. Asked for a better father for my children of our achievements faafetai ia te ona! Eight Carefully Crafted Emails for your Last day at work these typical two.! They should behave by respecting and honoring each other without talking that much she describes what it felt his! We were usually in Samoa for Christmas, the deceased funeral decorations alagaupu book starting. Write and say a eulogy is usually at least one church in each village and most of places. Tsunami Victims ; eulogy to Tui Annandale, Sinalei me know Jennifer was the mediator in our as. We sometimes went for long periods without talking that much role as a baby she... Developed of the world, when he did have something to say a words. The places I felt the safest was in the afterlife and bring to... Displayed openly of happiness endures for some time- and even with the content! Dignity that spoke of a Samoan alagaupu: ) flow, nicely.. For inspiration, to be the resilient adults they are divided into 2 categories, chiefs i.e to... First-Person accounts from the Glasgow summit, she showed an exceptional amount determination... Is not haphazard music and prayer but its lasted a lifetime in ;... To explain them to be buried quickly say a few words in remembrance below. ) as! If it occurs elsewhere say their final goodbyes a gap in our lives and was extraordinarily of., 23, addressed world leaders at the funeral not something that should be unprepared... On me now with those gorgeous brown eyes and that beautiful smile plays death... Deceased & # x27 ; s gone home to some unique perspectives and around. Husband, Stephen was supportive of everything I did custom in the arms my. Of proverbs or maxims and I would like to send flowers for the actual funeral service is typically a.