The Late Sir Julius Chan has been finally laid to rest at this home in Huris, Manmantinut in Namatanai district, New Ireland province after seven (7) days of mourning as per his will.
Today, saw the casket containing the body of the “Last Man Standing” placed into the tomb made just outside his home, ending a weeklong funeral program of one of Papua New Guinea’s founding fathers.
The burial today marked the completion of a journey from New Ireland to Port Moresby and back again to Kavieng, where the journey along the famed Boluminski Highway completed at Sir Julius’ home yesterday. There he stayed overnight for the last time at his home before he was laid to rest.
A funeral service was conducted today on the premises of the Late New Ireland Governor’s home where Prime Minister James Marape, his wife, cabinet ministers, fellow Members of Parliament, the New Ireland Provincial Government members, plus other delegates and the people attended.
There at the funeral service, his son Mark Chan on behalf of his family thanked the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) for honoring his father, for giving him a State Funeral and for finally bringing him home to New Ireland.
“Sir Julius, your people loved you,” he said, when reflecting on the reception he received coming back to the province and the many tributes from the rest of PNG.
He said his father’s legacy along with that of his friends that brought PNG’s independence, will live on.
“Your gift; our sovereignty.”
Meanwhile, perhaps the most significant part of his final journey home was the presence of his wife, Lady Stella Chan, who returned to the country from Australia where she was receiving medical treatment.
She was at their home waiting for the casket to arrive so she could spend the last time with her beloved husband before he was laid to rest.
The Late Sir Julius Chan passed away last week Thursday 30th January in New Ireland province. His body was then flown to Port Moresby city on Friday 31st January where the State Funeral program was accorded to him to allow PNG to mourn and pay its final respects.
He was then flown back to New Ireland on Monday 3rd February where the National Government handed over his body to the Provincial Government. For the next two days, his people had their time to mourn and pay their final respects where a traditional haus- cry ceremony was also conducted. Yesterday, his body was transported to his home in Huris where he was finally laid to rest this afternoon.