Attending a Muslim funeral in Indonesia

Observations from a former sociology student and journalist.

My wife (in blue) scattering flowers over the tomb during my father-in-law’s funeral. Photo by me.

On the second day of Chinese New Year (11 February), we received news that my father-in-law had suddenly passed away in Indonesia. My wife and I were shocked — after confirmation about the news from my brother-in-law who went to the local hospital, we immediately booked a flight to Surabaya the next morning to attend my father-in-law’s…