Marnus Vorster, the 12-year-old boy from Gereformeerde Skool Dirk Postma in Pretoria North, who commited suicide at school, was laid to rest on Friday afternoon.
Marnus was buried at the Heatherdale cemetery in Akasia, with close friends and family saying their final goodbyes.
A church service was held at the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk, with hundreds of friends, family and fellow pupils in attendance. “Today you lost a friend, but that void will be filled with God’s love,” said Pastor Piet Steenkamp.
“It is during this difficult time that we will realise that God was with him his whole life.”
The burial was attended by his family and classmates. “It is important that the children also attended the burial,” said Saskia Meijer of Gereformeerde Skool Dirk Postma. “They need to say farewell to their classmate. They need to find closure.”
Family members sang as his coffin was lowered, pushing past the pain and the tears, and honouring the little boy who struggled with depression for most of his short life. A few drops of rain fell as the coffin was finally covered. Some in attendance said the rain was a sign of better things to come.
The entire ordeal highlighted the plight of people who struggle with bipolar depression.
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Funeral and memorial service for young suicide victim
