Family bids final farewell to Lee Kuan Yew in private ceremony at Mandai

SINGAPORE - After the formalities of the Lying in State as well as the State Funeral Service, Mr Lee Kuan Yew's family was finally able to say goodbye to him during a private ceremony on Sunday, Mar 29, at Mandai Crematorium.

The ceremony was attended by family members, friends and long-time staff of Mr Lee, The Straits Times reported.

The casket had arrived at 6.10pm and was borne aloft to Hall 1, said The Straits Times. Mr Lee's daughter, Dr Lee Wei Ling, had placed the memorial portrait in front of the casket.

Some members of Mr Lee's family then proceeded to deliver their eulogies for him.

Those who had spoken include all of Mr Lee's three children and two of his grandsons Li Hongyi, elder son of PM Lee and wife Ho Ching, and Li Shengwu, eldest son of Lee Hsien Yang and wife Lim Suet Fern, according to The Straits Times.

In his eulogy, PM Lee recalled one of his cherished memories of his father.

The late Mr Lee was in the Philippines for an official trip when he had called PM Lee, who was then undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma, just to say he had arranged to send him some durians to ensure he was properly nourished.

PM Lee's son also recounted personal anecdotes and said his first and only gift from his grandfather was a camera that he was advised to make good use of.

In both their speeches, PM Lee and his sister Dr Lee, thanked their father's security team as well as medical team.

After the eulogies, each family member laid a single red rose in the coffin, according to The Straits Times.

Just as they had guarded him in life, The Straits Times reported that Mr Lee's Security Officers then accompanied him as his coffin was brought out of the hall.

ssandrea@sph.com.sg