This archive report was first published on 23 July 2019.
On July 23, 2019, a 77-year-old man from Meru County, who had prepared his own grave 19 years ago, was finally laid to rest at his Milimani home in Isiolo County.
Samson Mwongera, a businessman, had instructed his family to bury him at his home, despite some family members initially opposing the decision.
His widow, Eunice Mwongera, revealed that her late husband had informed the elders of his decision and had even prepared his eulogy and that of his wife in 2003.
According to Eunice, Samson had called the family together and showed them where he wanted to be buried after their 40th wedding anniversary.
His son, Munene Mwongera, explained that his father had prepared his own grave in 2000 and had also prepared his eulogy in 2003.
Munene said that his father's decision to prepare his own grave was not influenced by his diabetes diagnosis, but rather by his desire to avoid arguments over where he would be buried.
The grave was constructed like a wardrobe, with a concrete slab used to cover it, allowing for the spouse to be buried on top when they finally die.
Munene hailed his father's decision, saying it had made it easy for the family to conduct the funeral.
