George “Fiji” Veikoso will be laid to rest today, Tuesday, August 12, 2025, with final rites beginning at the Vodafone Arena in Suva before his burial in his home village of Buretu in Nakelo, Tailevu, in accordance with his family’s wishes.
The arena will open at 7:30am and guests are asked to be seated by 8:15am. Ground-floor seating is reserved exclusively for family and close friends. The funeral procession is scheduled to travel along Laucala Bay Road at about 8:00am, arriving at the Vodafone Arena by 8:30am, with the requiem service set to start at 9:00am. After the service, family and friends will accompany the cortege to Buretu, where “Fiji” will be buried among his ancestors.
For those who cannot attend in person, the family has arranged a livestream of the service on his official YouTube channel, FIJI The Artist, starting at 9:00am, allowing fans across Fiji and the Pacific to join the farewell.
Veikoso’s passing has drawn widespread tributes from across the region. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka described him as a “towering figure” in Pacific music. Colleagues, fans and community leaders have praised his work blending traditional Fijian sounds with contemporary genres and acknowledged his role as a cultural ambassador who brought Fijian music to international audiences.
Comments and context:
– The decision to hold a public requiem at a large venue and then bury him in his ancestral village follows longstanding Fijian customs that honor both community mourning and family-centered burial rites.
– Ground-floor seating reserved for close family is a common practice to ensure immediate relatives can observe rituals with privacy and dignity.
– The livestream provides an important option for the many overseas fans and Pacific communities who wish to pay respects but cannot travel.
Suggested additions for publication:
– Include the livestream link and embed code from the official YouTube channel so readers can watch the service live.
– Provide practical information for attendees: recommended arrival times, nearby parking or road closures, and guidance on respectful dress and behavior.
– Add a short photo gallery or a curated playlist of Veikoso’s most iconic songs to accompany the story and celebrate his musical legacy.
– Consider publishing a sidebar with tributes from prominent figures and fellow musicians, and information about planned commemorative events such as the Homecoming Festival tribute scheduled for September.
Brief summary:
George “Fiji” Veikoso’s public requiem is being held at Vodafone Arena in Suva this morning, with a procession scheduled along Laucala Bay Road and a burial afterward in Buretu, Tailevu. The service is being livestreamed for those unable to attend. Tributes underscore his lasting influence as a cultural ambassador and beloved figure in Pacific music.
Hopeful note:
While the nation mourns, Veikoso’s music and influence continue to unite communities and inspire new generations of musicians. His legacy of blending tradition with contemporary sounds offers a lasting beacon of cultural pride and creative possibility.
Leave a comment