Best friends get final send-off together

TOGETHER in life, together in death.

That was the way relatives and friends of Ryan Ramnanan and Sachen Teeluckdharry wanted them to be remembered as they were cremated side by side at the Shore of Peace, Mosquito Creek, South Oropouche on August 8.

Before their joint cremation, separate funerals were held for Ramnanan and Teeluckdharry at their families' homes at Tulsa Trace, San Francique and Clarke Road, Penal, respectively on August 8.

After their  funerals, Ramnanan and Teeluckdharry's funeral processions met at Debe Market and then went together to Mosquito Creek.

Final rites were performed before the two friends were cremated.

Hundreds of people gathered at Mosquito Creek to pay their final respects.

Among them were Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal and Siparia Mayor Doodnath Mayhroo.

Ramnanan, 29, and Teeluckdharry, 27, were found dead on August 4, when the Hunters Search and Rescue Team found Teeluckdharry's destroyed Nissan Navara in the Cipero River under the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway.

Their families had reported them missing when they did not return home from liming on August 3.

In an interview with Newsday on August 6, Ramnanan's mother Soma said Ryan and Sachen had been friends since secondary school and had become inseparable over the years.

She hoped they would be laid to rest after a co-ordinated funeral. The families subsequently agreed to that arrangement.

At Ramnanan's funeral, a relative read out a tribute to him approved by his family.

The statement described Ramnanan as someone who brought boundless joy to his family and friends.

"He was a bright light in the family. Full of energy, curiosity and zest for life."

Camping, fishing and playing tassa drums were some of his passions.

During the service, Ramnanan's father Ramesh held held his dog Sophie on his lap. As final rites were performed over the closed casket, one of Ramnanan's friends carried Sophie to the casket so she could say a final goodbye to him.

At Teeluckdharry's funeral, a relative said, "If you know Sachen when you first meet him, he is a very quiet humble person.

"But when you get to know him, you know he doesn't stop talking."

Teeluckdharry was remembered as someone who always made the people around him happy. Travel and cars were identified as two things he was passionate about.