With the travel restrictions keeping Taniela Levea and his family from attending his son’s funeral in New Zealand, an alternative solution had to be found.

Thanks to technological assistance from the Labasa and New Zealand branches of the New Life Church, the family were able to say their last goodbyes to the late Pastor Saki Matana when the funeral was live-streamed from New Zealand.

“We are sad that we could not be there in person for my son’s funeral due to the travel restrictions as per the coronavirus pandemic,” Mr Levea said.

“My son informed his wife prior to his passing that he wished to be laid to rest back at his village in Nakama, Labasa.

“We cannot fulfil his wish as the world is facing a difficult time.

“It is really hard and I told my daughter-in-law, that even if I had gone over to New Zealand, I would not have been able to attend the funeral because I would be in a 14-day quarantine.

“We had to organise an alternative way just so we could witness my son’s final journey.

“The Livestream was watched by families and relatives in the West, East Tacirua, Labasa and families around the world who couldn’t make it to the funeral for my loving son,” he said.

The late Pastor Matana was a member of the Fiji Police Force for two years before he resigned to be a missionary. Pastor Saki is survived by his wife, three children, parents and siblings.

The late Pastor Saki Matana.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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