FUNERAL FEUD

This triggered a transformation among mourners from one of tears and sorrow to anger and confusion as arguments broke out and exclamations of, “what is this?” and, “what really going on here?”, could be heard. In the end, as Fr Pierre left the church, Holder’s casket was hurriedly placed back into the hearse and whisked away to the Funeral home.

The service for Holder, who lost her battle to lupus last Saturday, was scheduled to begin at 9.30 am.

Shortly after it began and while prayers were being said, it came to an abrupt end.

Asked later as the reason for the cancellation, Holder’s brother Carlyle told Newsday, “Somebody made plans without the family.

My other sister and I were not made aware that the funeral was taking place today. I was supposed to get in at 2.25 this afternoon but I had to buy a new ticket and leave my home in New York in order to be here this morning.” He said that what matters now, is that his sister gets an “appropriate” funeral and receives “appropriate respect.” Holder told Newsday that other relatives including another sister were due to arrive in Trinidad late yesterday.

“Look at this programme.

How can you have a funeral and not mention any family member’s name in the programme,” Holder asked.

Family friend Criminologist Renee Cummings told Newsday, “Carlet had love for many people.

What happened today is just an expression of love from all the people who knew her and she was larger than life and fabulous.

This kind of thing only happens to fabulous people.” Cummings added that she was told by a female relative of Holder that flights couldn’t be arranged on time, so many family members couldn’t make the service.

She said this was the reason why the funeral service was halted and postponed to a later date.

Maricel ‘Empress’, who said she was Holder’s adopted sister along with another very close friend of the deceased, who asked not to be identified, expressed sorrow at the feud between relatives and friends which led to the service being cancelled and denying Holder the send-off, “she deserves.” Referring to a close relative of Holder, Maricel claimed, “He stopped the funeral for no reason.” Holder who worked in both radio and television succumbed to her ailment last Saturday, the same day another media worker and soca artiste Devon Matthews suffered a massive heart attack and died shortly after performing at the Tribe band launch.

Newsday was told Holder’s funeral will be held tomorrow at Allen’s Funeral Home in Arima.

Efforts were being made for the service to remain at St Theresa RC, but the Church was booked fully for tomorrow.