The family of Eparama Dremoka, a late Under-16 rugby player from Marist Brothers High School, has opted for forgiveness following the discovery of his burnt grave last Friday. The Dremoka family had just laid their son to rest in June when images circulated on social media depicting his grave at Lovonilase Cemetery in Walu Bay, Suva, engulfed in flames and flowers reduced to ash.
Kaminieli Dremoka, Eparama’s father, expressed his emotional turmoil when contacted about the incident. “I can’t comment because I don’t know anything. Pursuing this would only cause more pain for us as his parents, so we have decided to forgive,” he stated. He reflected on the possibility of feelings of animosity towards his son but chose to focus on forgiveness instead.
Mr. Dremoka recalled seeing the distressing images shared on the Marist Brothers’ social media while he was in Nadi, pondering how his son would have reacted to such an event. “My son was full of positivity; this is the devil’s work to instigate more anger and hatred among us,” he remarked.
He also shared his gratitude towards the parents of his son’s U16 teammates, who demonstrated their support by visiting the grave site the following Saturday to clean the area. “When we returned on Saturday afternoon to check, the grave looked as it had before,” he added. “I am thankful to the U16 boys and their parents for their continuous support from the day he passed until the funeral; they have always acted as their brother’s keeper.”