Hundreds of people from a wide cross-section of society converged upon the Aramalaya Presbyterian Church, Tunapuna, on Thursday, to pay their final respects to Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal.
The 400-seater church could barely accommodate a third of those attending, who included most government ministers, senators, Opposition MPs and almost the entire Judiciary, and the rest were accommodated in tents set up in the churchyard while others spilled over onto Cochrane Street, which borders the church and the Tunapuna Presbyterian School, which Seetahal attended as a child.
Even the aisles of the church was packed with chairs as government ministers, acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams, and other VIPs were accommodated. It would have been a challenge for security officers to get their charges out in the event of any emergency. Police presence in and around the churchyard was noticeably large, especially with President Anthony Carmona, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Chief Justice Ivor Archie in the congregation.
Legal luminaries rubbed shoulders with less prominent members of society, a mark of Seetahal’s humility and simplicity, which were echoed throughout the many tributes during the service. Dressed in their uniforms, several employees of the Ma Pau casino, Seetahal’s favourite liming spot and the last place she visited before being brutally murdered early Sunday morning, were at the service.
While many were not allowed into the church for the service, ushers granted entry to those who wished to view Seetahal’s body in her open casket, which was covered by a bouquet of red anthuriums and white lilies. Many present described the service as the biggest they had ever seen, as well as the only funeral that started at 5 pm and ended well past twilight. It was also one of the few private funerals which was attended by members of all three arms of the state, the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary.
Many mourners were touched by soca superstar Machel Montano’s heartfelt rendition of an original song which he wrote especially for the event. Seetahal represented Montano in his assault case almost two years ago. They were equally affected by the tear-jerking tributes that were presented by Seetahal’s colleagues, former students at the Hugh Wooding Law School and six of her nephews and nieces, who all recounted their loving memories of their aunt’s important role in their lives.
Seetahal’s intelligence, views on justice and equality, her willingness to teach others, her love for her family and friends and most of all her sense of humour were all recurring themes throughout the tributes. Appeal Court judge Mark Mohammed, who worked with her at the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the 1980s, spoke about her ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
“She was always prepared to see the best in people (where) others only saw negativity,” Mohammed said. Attorney Larry Lalla, who said he trained under Seetahal during his formative years in the profession, said he was one of the first to arrive at the scene of her murder in Woodbrook. He called on citizens to work with the police to assist in solving her murder and in reducing crime. He also encouraged his colleagues to draw on her as an inspiration as they continued to “do their duties to the country without fear or favour.”
Seetahal’s classmate at the University of the West Indies, Merlin Boyce reminisced on their studies and misadventures during the time there, while her former junior at her El Dorado Chambers, Westmin James, spoke about how she nurtured and guided his career. Former government minister and Seetahal’s longtime friend Christine Sahadeo also gave a tribute and compared her death to a bad dream.
In the end, because of the lengthy tributes that went well beyond the scheduled times, the funeral far exceeded its 90-minute estimated duration. After the service ended around 7.30 pm, the funeral cortège made its way to the Belgrove’s Funeral Home, Tacarigua, where she was cremated.