‘Desmond Tutu wanted the cheapest coffin available!’

ARCHBISHOP of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba said the body of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu would lie in state for two days.

The church had initially said Tutu’s body would lie in state at the St George’s Cathedral on Friday, 31 December, but it has since extended it to Thursday, 30 December.

Makgoba explained the logic behind the change of plans. “The laying in the state over two days also tries to cover the needs of those who would like to say ‘fare thee well Arch’. He will lay in state from Thursday 7 am until 7 pm and on Friday at 7 am until 7 pm. I think it is sensible. We don’t know how many people will come. I think it’s better to prepare adequately,” he said.

The Arch’s funeral service is expected to be held on Saturday, 1 January. His body will be cremated and the ashes will be interred at the cathedral.

Meanwhile, the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation said it would honor his wishes of not having a lavish funeral as he said he wanted “the cheapest coffin available”.

The City of Cape Town held an interfaith memorial service at City Hall on Wednesday, 29 December.

Makgoba said the Diocese of Pretoria would also hold an ecumenical and interfaith service on Thursday, 30 December at St Alban’s Cathedral, while the Joburg diocese, where Tutu was the first black dean, will hold a memorial service at St Mary’s Cathedral, also on Thursday.

In Gqeberha, a memorial service will be held on Friday, 31 December as well as other places such as Lesotho, Eswatini and Namibia.