LILONGWE, Malawi- An email circulating online written by Patricia Dzimbiri, one of the victims of this week's fatal plane crash, is raising eyebrows for the extraordinarily detailed funeral directions contained within, writes Winston Mwale.
The lengthy message from May 2023 opens: "This will sound weird, but just bear with me...I would like you to take charge when it is time for me to leave this earth. There is no one in my family who can organize a proper funeral ceremony for me."
Chillingly, Dzimbiri specifies in the email: "On the day of the funeral, Mass should start at 11 a.m." This coincides with her actual funeral program scheduled for this Friday at 11am.
The email then launches into a staggering 15 numbered points of other instructions, including details like:
"If God calls me while I'm still here in Lilongwe, arrange to carry my body to Goodwill Funeral Services for embalming. I should be carried to Balaka a day before the burial."
"Hire tents from Zuku Lodge and from Balaka District Council."
"Caterers: Hire Mrs. Stella Naluso 0883193436 and Mrs. Makunganya 0999951813...The caterers should be fast in preparing food; people should start eating at 10 a.m. so that Mass can start at 11 a.m."
Perhaps most bizarrely, Dzimbiri specifies: "At night, the choir should drink coffee to stay awake and sing. Make sure there is enough bread, margarine, milk, and sugar (ENOUGH). People should not be given just two small pieces of bread without margarine."
The email concludes: "When I remember something, I will write to you. If you have questions, please let me know so we can finalize the program."
Shanil Dzimbiri
Family members have confirmed the email's authenticity, calling Dzimbiri an "organized" but "over-the-top" planner.
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