Bigger than Everest
Although his ice-axe lay on his coffin and his many medals and decorations were on display alongside the casket, Hillarys funeral did not focus on his exploits on Mount Everest and in Antarctica which made him an international hero. Instead, family members and other speakers marked his death by praising his personal qualities of determination, humility, compassion and humour which made him a gutsy, down-to-earth New Zealander who will be deeply missed.
These qualities made Hillary seem like a a familiar figure to New Zealanders, even if they had never met him or had not been born when he climbed Mount Everest in 1953. Yesterday, thousands of people showed this as they paid their respects to the man, spontaneously gathering to watch television coverage of the funeral in Christchurchs Cathedral Square, at Mount Cook, Scott Base and Nepal and countless other venues.
They heard some moving personal memories from his two children, which contributed to a full picture of him. Sarah Hillary recalled the pain Hillary experienced in 1975 when his first wife, Louise, and his youngest daughter died in an aircraft crash. Like most New Zealanders she had always thought her father was so strong but his tragedy showed he was also very fragile.
Hillarys funeral was also a testament to the huge respect in which he was held in Nepal because of his humanitarian work for the Sherpa community. After his casket entered St Marys Church in Parnell, it was draped with Buddhist prayer scarves. Several Sherpas made the long trip to New Zealand to praise Hillarys commitment to improving their peoples lives through the Himalayan Trust by building schools and hospitals.
Norbu Tenzing Norgay, son of Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, said that although his family and Hillarys would always be indelibly linked to Mount Everest, their lives after the historic climb were more meaningful to them.
Ang Rita Sherpa, chief executive of the trust, lauded Hillary as his peoples true guardian and second father, saying that his loss felt bigger and heavier than Everest.
Unfortunately, no member of the Royal Family emulated Hillarys Sherpa admirers by attending his funeral, which was especially disappointing because of the links between Hillary and the Queen dating back to 1953.
News of the conquest of Everest was announced shortly before her coronation, and Hillary was made a Knight of the Garter, Britains highest order of chivalry, which is limited to 24 knights, in 1995.
The Queen has offered the Hillary family a memorial service in St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle, which is the spiritual home of the order, but the Royal Familys conspicuous absence yesterday reinforced the growing irrelevance of it to New Zealand society.
Ultimately, Hillarys funeral was for the ordinary Kiwis with whom he identified and the Sherpa people to whom he devoted so much of his life. He was a rare New Zealander who inspired his nation during his lifetime, and his memory will continue to do so long after his funeral.
As Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday: As individuals, we may not be able to match Sir Eds abilities or strength, but we can all strive to match his humanity and compassion for others.
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Thursday, January 31st, 2008 at 6:06 pm under