SHARING OF AN UNSUNG HERO
I like to share this story of this brave man, commonly known as “Robocop”, the man in his studded black suit on his big bike went vroooom vroooom round the town. If you asked anyone in town, everyone knew him, people from the food vendors, the workshops, small vendors, people from the pub, people from various banks, people from insurance companies, from the police and all kinds of people. At first sight, the perception of him was a negative impact on people who did not know him and feared him. Those who knew him saw him a “Hero” who was always out on his rescue mission. Described by people who really knew him, he was one of the most heartwarming, kindest and honest man. He would stop his big bike or his car and help the blind and old people cross the road. He would help nab snatch thieves when he saw one. He was one of the active blood donors and had been very active in the neighborhood to help keep down petty crimes.
He was my brother, Wilfred Soh Choo Boon, aged 51 years old and he died of liver cancer on 25th May, 2008, after discovering that he was at the 4th stage on 18th April, 2008. Knowing how cancer patients have to deal with the side effects after radiotherapy and chemotherapy and the burden on the families, he took it as a challenge to deal with it all by himself. He called up his brothers and sisters and told them the news and prepared his family with what was going to happen. He made sure all his bills were settled, EPF nominees updated, insurance and transfer of properties properly done. He even visited his place of work and cleared all his things telling the staff that he would not be coming back. He wrote to all his friends, send sms that if there was any visitation, they should do it soon as his time was short. He prepared a list of things to be done for his funeral.
Before his admission to the Sarawak General Hospital, he spent most of the time with his family and visited all his friends to say good bye. People who knew him thought that it was a joke that he was so definite about his death.
CONCLUSION
In general, funeral expenses can be very costly. When death occurs in hospitals, do not be surprised if you are approached by certain people on “Funeral Packages.” The charges are from RM 3,000 onwards, it can be arranged according to the Christian or the Buddhist burial. There is even a runner to put obituary notices in the local newspaper. The prices of a coffin ranges from RM 2,000 up to RM 20,000. A plot for burial and the construction of a tomb ranges from at least RM 15,000 up to RM 50,000 depending on its location and materials used. The current standard price for cremation is RM 1,500 and may be increased due to the recent fuel price hike.
With the fuel hike from time to time these prices may be higher even for the dead in the future. It would be wise not to spend so much as the ones left behind are the ones who need the money.
Wilfred was a practical man who saw the logical point of the younger generation not being able to keep the filial culture. He said, “Cremate my body and throw the ashes into the sea. Just keep my photo as a remembrance for my grand children. Do not waste money on the funeral expenses. Save it for the living” These were the words of my brother.
It was easier said than done, but it was hard for anybody to keep up to what Wilfred had gone through and was still able to keep up a positive and high spirit to face this challenge even though he was in so much pain.
The experience of going through the painful decision what my brother had gone through was enough for me to decide what I wanted to do for my own funeral.
“Save for the Living!”
Somehow, a death can pull a family together. It’s painful but fate decides for our death and no one knows. But Life has to go on for the loved ones left behind.
A pastor once said, “The good deeds you have done will determine how many people would turn up on the day you died.”
“Throw my ashes into the sea. Don’t burden my wife and my family” He said before he died.
The only memory I have is his photo to remember by. Goodbye, my beloved brother!
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