Moving funeral held for Phillip Island drowning victims Kirti Bedi, Reema Sondhi, Suhani Anand and Jagjeet Singh Anand
The four people who died in Victoria’s worst drowning in 20 years have been farewelled at a moving funeral.
South East
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The four people who died in Victoria’s worst drowning in 20 years have been farewelled at a moving funeral on Thursday.
Kirti Bedi, 20, Reema Sondhi, 42, and siblings Suhani Anand, 20, and Jagjeet Singh Anand, 23, were swimming with extended family at the unpatrolled Forrest Caves Beach on Phillip Island last Wednesday when they were caught in a deadly rip.
The notoriously difficult swimming spot is known for its dangerous rips and rough surf.
A Sikh priest, speaking at the funeral in a combination of Hindi and Punjabi, said it was a “very sad time” for them.
“It’s a very sad time for the family and the whole community,” he said.
“But just like a farmer who has no control of when the time of harvesting is, we have no control over when the Lord decides our time has come.”
Hundreds of family members arrived in Australia during the week from India to pay their respects.
Family and friends laid flowers on the open caskets.
A spokesman for the families said they prayed the victims would “find peace”.
He said Reema Sondhi was only in Australia to travel.
He said she was a “great mother”.
Jagjeet Singh, an aged care nurse who loved his job, has been remembered as someone who would protect his family at all costs.
“There was such a child who served his parents, who served his elders, who made his place in everyone’s heart,” a friend said.
“Everyone he came into contact with loved him for helping people.
“We will always remember him in our prayers.”
“Hardworking” student Suhani Anand was young.
She loved Barbie dolls and “was a doll herself” in her young nature.
“I feel bad and would like to extend my condolences to the four families and remind them what has happened has happened by God’s will,” the spokesman said, holding back tears.
Ms Suhani had been in Australia for six months and in that time had “won everyone’s hearts”.
Family friends thanked the rescue crews who assisted on the fateful day, paying tribute to the extended family members.
“I understand well and truly that deep inside all of us are hurt,” one close friend said at the service.
“We can feel the grief and we pass our sincere condolences to these families who have suffered a loss.
“Together they can honour the legacy and cherish the moments the family has shared.
“Grief is the price we pay for our love towards someone.”
A Hindu priest ended the tributes with a prayer for the departed souls.
“May God bring peace to the ones who have departed and we pray God will the help the families to move on. Aum.”
A GoFundMe had on Thursday afternoon raised almost $82,000 for the families.