In a coffin that had “Royal Nurse” engraved on it Jacintha Saldanha’s body was buried by her husband Benedict Barboza and children Junal and Lisha at the Our Lady of Health Church in Shirva on Monday evening.
Rev Fr Stanley Pathro, Rev Fr Lawrence D’Souza, who happen to be a close relative of Jacintha offered the final prayers, before the funeral procession left to the church. Sunshine Band, Perampally, Udupi played the protestant hymns.
Mass and funeral ceremony were conducted under the leadership of Very Rev Fr Gerald Issac Lobo, Vicar General Baptist Menezes and Rev Fr Staney Thavro at the Church hall.
In his message Rev Fr Lobo said that Jacintha’s unexpected death at a very young age was a shock to all. “Because the death of those we love more will also cause more pain. Our words would be insufficient to console their family. So we are offering prayers to make Jacintha Rest in Peace.”
Reading out a message on behalf of Barboza, a family friend Steven Almeida said the unexpected tragedy had shattered the family. “They hoped the investigation that will be completed by March 26 by London Metropolis would be full and fair.”
“They thank Keith Vaaz, Member of Parliament, UK, for guiding them in their tough time. They also thank Indian High Commission in London in bringing back the body of Jacintha to India, British High Commission in India, Ministry of External Affairs, India, Rajya Sabha Member Oscar Fernandies, Home Minister R Ashok, Member of Parliament Jayaprakash Hegde, former Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, Congress leaders Ivan D’Souza, M A Gafoor and others,” he added.
Steven said that the family did not allow media either to their residence or to the church, as the family wanted privacy. “The family is grieving and they need some more time and space to grieve,” he added.
Several media correspondents from UK and Australia representing different international media houses had arrived at Shirva to cover the funeral.