Family and friends turned up in numbers to pay their final respects to the late Lau chief and former government minister and diplomat, Ratu Finau Mara before the Thanksgiving Service at the Stella Maris Chapel in Suva.
Father Arthur Leger who spoke during the service highlighted that Ratu Finau was a person full of love and he showed it when he was around people.
Father Leger says blessed are the clean of heart for they will see God and also the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God.
Some of the people who paid their last respects at the chapel this morning included former Prime Minister and Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry and wife Virmati, Speaker, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Ratu Tuakitau Cokanauto, Roko Tui Bau Timothy Daniel, Bau chief Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, Commander of RFMF, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto, former Secretary General to Parliament, Mary Chapman, Adi Finau Tabakaucoro, Amraiya Naidu, SODELPA MP, Lynda Tabuya, and lawyer, Jon Apted.
Women from Lau were also seen sitting on the side of the road as a sign of respect to the eldest son of the late Tui Nayau and Tui Lau, former Prime Minister and President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and the late RO Lady Lala Mara.
The body of the Vuanirewa Vua na Tui Nayau, Ratu Finau Mara was handed over to the Valelevu clan of Rewa in the last hour.
His body is currently being escorted by the Valelevu traditional warriors through the village to the Burenivudi in Lomanikoro.
Ratu Finau who was 60 years old, passed away last Wednesday.
Ratu Finau is survived by his wife Vitinia Buadromo, his two children Ratu Salesi Kinikinilau Mara and Adi Lawerua Mara, his four sisters and one brother, one son-in-law and two grandchildren, Taru and Salesi Dauni.
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