tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36567674.post4264064765257698724..comments2011-08-17T13:45:42.548+13:00Steve Hunsickerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15420342141571600010noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36567674.post-68365567571720105742011-08-17T11:09:52.553+13:002011-08-17T11:09:52.553+13:00A party?? Just an FYI...We DONT Throw parties or a "Feast" ...a feast is reserved for celebrations...we dont Celebrate people deaths! A Funeral in Tongan culture observes certain taboos(tapu), christian beliefs,and is strictly about respect for the deceased, their family. Each member of the family will know their role in a function such as a funeral, (fathers side of the deceased as well as their mothers side know, and have their individual roles), that being said, it helps lighten the burden on the immediate family of the deceased. The deceased family does alot in return, due to showing their respect to those who have come to mourn with them, and show their thanks to them by giving them food, and gifts. Not all gifts are the same, and vary depending on the relationship of the individual who is giving the gift to the family of the deceased, to the deceased. There are times where Tongan funerals are kept to the simplest form, where there isnt the whole week of mourning for the whole township, or whatever ceremony it may be, would be cut out, just because of the circumstance of the family at the time, but even though in those cases, extended family steps in and helps because, bottom line, family is family, and family have each others back in the Tongan Culture, which also strengthens family ties with one another or also called tauhi va. but Yes, there are those who just arent prepared for events like a funeral, and do plan a huge funeral which is beyond their means, but it is unfair to label All Tongans as to doing a Putu FakaTonga as youve described and observed in the little time that youve spent in Tonga.JonJonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06130322870638553830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36567674.post-32517860768336528202011-02-19T15:08:58.461+13:002011-02-19T15:08:58.461+13:00That is crazy. If someone didn't have the money to have funeral and they are still expected to throw a huge party for the whole town, I would be outcast from Tonga cause it wouldn't happen. I don't know about anyone else, but when I go to a wake, I usually bring food (or booze).Stevehttp://www.funeralhomepromos.comnoreply@blogger.com