By Yinka Fabowale
The remains of former Information Minister, Prince Tony Momoh, who passed on in Abuja last week, will be interred on Grailland, Iju Hills, Lagos on Thursday, February 11, 2021.
This was announced in a statement today, February 9 by Grail Movement-Nigeria.
According to the statement, the burial would be preceded by a Grail Funeral Hour of Worship in the Temple of God on Grailland at 4p.m on the same day.
The statement also issues an advisory on adherence to COVID-19 protocols and other official guidelines required of members of the public and media who wish to attend the event.
Momoh, 81, an astute journalist, author, a lawyer, profound thinker and writer especially on spiritual matters, is being accorded a Grail Funeral in accordance with his wish as an adherent of The Grail Message, a unique work of spiritual enlightenment that explains the true purpose of existence, Creation and life mysteries and guides man on how to attain a happy and fulfilled life.
The statement explains that a funeral in the sense of The Grail Message, is essentially to help and support, in love, the departed fulfil his wishes for “continued joyful activity after earthly death and ultimately for the attainment of his longing for Paradise.”
Given the seriousness and importance of the occasion, it stresses and calls for absolute decorum and silence by participants throughout the ceremonies, as these imply active participation in the worship, veneration and honour of the Almighty Father of All, in all humility and honour.
Consequently, it enjoins intending participants to arrive Grailland not later than 2.30 p.m. for admission into the Temple fixed for between 3p.m. and 3.40p.m on Thursday.
The statement says that “No person will be granted entry once the Temple doors are closed.”
It further stipulates formal dressing either in native attire or Western clothes (suit with a tie for men; and for women, dresses which, when seated must go below the knees with the sleeves covering the elbows).
It indicates that both genders must leave their heads uncovered as a mark of humility to the Creator.
Also, it says that the use of telephone, camera or tape for audio or video recording or any other activity which may distract even for a moment, during the course of the funeral proceedings in the Hall of Worship or at the cemetery is prohibited. It adds that arrangements have been made to secure the gadgets which can be collected by the owners after the funeral proceedings.
The statement says that there shall be no lying-in-state as with the social convention, as, out of respect for it, the human body is not to be displayed for exhibition and spectacle.
It therefore, advises journalists who wish to capture for their stories the arrival of the casket in Lagos from Abuja to either go to the airport on Thursday morning or do so as the hearse enters Grailland by 10a.m.
It says however, that a place has been designated for taking of photographs with members of the family by the fountains at the entrance of the Pavilion Gate to the Temple. It adds that photographs can also be taken on the grounds around the Assembly Hall and the Restaurant.
The Movement says that these measures are taken in reverence of the Omnipotent Creator because “upon entering the Temple on Grailland, we place ourselves in the presence of the Almighty Creator and this imposes obligations that go far beyond what would be demanded if one were to enter the presence of an earthly ruler.”
It therefore, urges all dignitaries, friends and associates particularly in the media, who wish to show their love and ‘pay their last respects’ to the departed to cooperate and comply with the guidelines.
It asks journalists wishing to cover the funeral to indicate so by sending their names and the media houses they represent for accreditation on or before 6p.m. on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 to either of these numbers: 0706 515 2026 or 0802 312 8538.
Apart from the foregoing, it stresses that all visitors must submit to strict COVID-19 protocols including wearing of face masks, sanitising, washing of hands and having their temperature checked.
It says: “In observing social distance regulations, the Temple which normally sits 2,000 persons will not take more than 900 participants at this time.”
Following is the full text of the statement, titled: “Notice for Participants at the Grail Funeral for Prince Tony Momoh”:
“On Thursday, February 11, 2021, the remains of the former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh, will be interred on Grailland, Iju Hills, Lagos in accordance with his wishes.
“This will be preceded by a Grail Funeral Hour of Worship in the Temple of God on Grailland at 4p.m.
“Already many have indicated their wish to show their love and ‘pay their last respects’ to the departed by taking part in the funeral ceremonies.
“For all those who wish to take part in the funeral including members of the media profession to which Prince Momoh gave some of the best years of his life, the following hints will serve as guidelines:
“1. A funeral in the sense of The Grail Message, otherwise known as the Grail Funeral, affords help and support towards the fulfilment of the wishes of the departed one for continued joyful activity after earthly death and ultimately for the attainment of his longing for Paradise.
“2. On entering the Temple on Grailland, we place ourselves in the presence of the Almighty Creator and this imposes obligations that go far beyond what would be demanded if one were to enter the presence of an earthly ruler.
“These obligations include:
“a). The need for absolute decorum and silence throughout the ceremonies.
“b). The need for the highest standard of dressing to be observed. Participants should be fully dressed either in Native Attire or Western Clothes (suit with a tie for men; and for women, dresses which when seated must go below the knees and the sleeves must cover the elbows). Casual clothes and slippers should not be worn. As a sign of humility, the head remains uncovered both for men and women.
“c). Everyone who enters the Temple for the Grail Funeral is an active participant in the worship of God, the Almighty Father of All, in humility, honour, reverence, adoration and veneration. As such, each is left with no time or space for the use of the telephone, camera or tape for audio or video recording or any other activity which may distract even for a moment the course of the funeral proceedings. Therefore these gadgets are not to be brought into the Hall or the Cemetery.
“d). As it is indecorous to arrive late or rush into a Place of Worship, arrival on Grailland should not be later than 2.30 p.m., while entering the Temple will be between 3p.m. and 3.40p.m. No person will be granted entry once the Temple doors are closed.
“e). As you enter the Temple, the Cemetery and other facilities on Grailland, please follow the promptings of the Ushers and Helpers.
“3a). Out of respect, the human body is not displayed for exhibition or spectacle. There shall therefore be no lying-in-state.
“b). Journalists who however wish to capture for their story the arrival of the casket in Lagos from Abuja may choose to go to the airport on Thursday morning or do so as the hearse enters Grailland by 10a.m.
“c). For those who may want to take photographs with members of the family after the funeral, there is a designated place for this by the fountains at the entrance of the Pavilion Gate to the Temple. Photographs can also be taken on the grounds around the Assembly Hall and the Restaurant.
“d). In strict compliance with COVID-19 Protocols,
“i). All participants and visitors to Grailland will have their temperature checked, be requested to wash or sanitize their hands at the Sanitizing Booths provided by the entrance and be obliged to put on their face masks during their stay on Grailland.
“ii). In observing social distance regulations, the Temple which normally sits 2,000 persons will not take more than 900 participants at this time.
“Journalists who therefore wish to take part in the funeral can indicate so by sending their names and the media houses they represent for accreditation on or before 6p.m. on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 to either of these numbers: 0706 515 2026 or 0802 312 8538.”
