BELOVED teen Kaiya-Gene Kerekere has been laid to rest in an emotional outpouring of love and grief involving singing, prayer and Maori traditions.
Kirwan State High School 2020 graduate Kaiya-Gene Kerekere was diagnosed in 2018 with synovial sarcoma, a rare form of cancer counting for less than one per cent of cancers that affects the soft tissue surrounding bones and organs.
Aware that his time on Earth was nearing an end, Kaiya’s family held a bedside birthday party for the 17 year old on Tuesday as a rite of passage into manhood. Just hours later, Kaiya drifted to heaven pain free in the early hours of Wednesday in the arms of his father Euge Kerekere, and surrounded by his family.
Known as “Tangihanga”, a traditional Maori funeral generally takes three days with burial on the third day after the family has been given time to sit with the body to grieve, sing, pray and help guide their loved one’s spirit safely to the after life.
Although COVID-19 restrictions meant just 50 people could be inside, hundreds more gathered outside at Mount Gravatt Cemetery and Crematorium in Brisbane to honour Kaiya’s short yet inspirational life, honouring him in a deeply spiritual Maori tradition to “return his body to mother earth”.
Kaiya’s coffin was dressed in a Maori feather cloak gifted to him during his 18th Birthday, symbolic of leadership, and includes the obligation to care for the people and environment.
During the service, which was filled with Maori hymns and a selection of Kaiya’s favourite songs, his mother Terri Kerekere spoke of the legacy her “warrior” has left behind.
“Even to this point, Kaiya is still teaching us and showing us to be grateful, resilient and live in love,” she said.
“We had the blessing of knowing Kaiya’s time was coming and he was the one that planned this funeral today.”
Mrs Kerekere then shared a touching poem called “The Greatest”, penned by her son before his passing.
“I stood in that room with a win in sight and though my mind was willing I had no more fight,” Kaiya’s poem read.
“The battle took me to another place and my body now weary I could not win the race.
“I could float like a butterfly and I’d sting like a bee but my greatest win of all is now I am free.
“Don’t make me a hero, just make me a star, I’ll shine with you always and protect you from afar.”
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