Family, friends and fans have gathered at Vodafone Arena in Suva to farewell George “Fiji” Veikoso, whose funeral service is being held today. Veikoso passed away on July 24, 2025, and this morning relatives paid tribute to the musician’s life and legacy.
Delivering a eulogy, Adi Nanise Veikoso recalled the deep personal impact of his death, saying George’s passing coincided with the birth of her late son who bore his name. “That day will never be the same again. It broke me in ways I didn’t expect,” she said, adding that carrying both names forward is an act of honour and gratitude. She praised George’s character and love, saying his voice “became the anthem of the Pacific” but that it was his soul and how he treated family and community that would be most remembered.
Family speakers described George as a son, brother, father and grandfather who gave everything to his family and his people. They emphasised that he carried the name of Fiji across oceans and represented the nation with honour and respect.
Officials and organisers had previously outlined the public arrangements for the requiem: the arena opened to guests early, with requests that attendees be seated by mid-morning; ground-floor seating was reserved for immediate family and close friends; a funeral procession traveled along Laucala Bay Road to the venue; and following the service the cortege will return to his home village in Buretu, Tailevu, for burial among his ancestors. The public service has been livestreamed on Veikoso’s official YouTube channel, FIJI The Artist, to allow fans across Fiji and the Pacific to join the farewell.
Veikoso’s death prompted widespread tributes across the region. National leaders, fellow artists and fans have celebrated his role as a cultural ambassador who blended traditional Fijian sounds with contemporary genres, bringing Pacific music to international audiences. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka described him as a “towering figure” in Pacific music, reflecting the broad impact of his career.
Why so many turned out: Veikoso’s music spoke to themes of love, identity and resilience and connected deeply with communities across generations. The choice to hold a large public requiem at Vodafone Arena before a family burial in Buretu follows longstanding Fijian customs that balance communal mourning with family-centred burial rites, allowing both a public celebration of his life and private observance of ancestral traditions.
Summary:
George “Fiji” Veikoso, who died on July 24, 2025, is being farewelled at Vodafone Arena in Suva today. Family tributes highlighted the personal and cultural significance of his life and music, while planned procession and burial in Buretu will follow the public service. Tributes from leaders and peers underline his legacy as a unifying cultural figure across the Pacific.
Hopeful note:
While the nation mourns, the outpouring of love and the decision to share the service widely mean Veikoso’s music and message will continue to inspire new generations of artists and fans, keeping his spirit alive through the songs and memories he leaves behind.
Additional comments for publication:
– Embed the official livestream from FIJI The Artist so readers can watch the service; include the exact start time and time-zone conversions for international viewers.
– Add practical information for attendees (recommended arrival times, parking, road closures along Laucala Bay Road, and seating notes).
– Include a short photo gallery and a curated playlist of Veikoso’s most iconic tracks to accompany the story.
– Consider a sidebar with selected tributes from prominent figures and fellow musicians, and details of planned commemorative events such as the Homecoming Festival tribute.
– For context, a brief explainer on the Fijian customs around public requiems followed by family burials would help readers unfamiliar with the traditions understand the significance of the arrangements.
Leave a comment