By David Dunkley,
Staff Reporter
The following is a repeat of a story first published in The Star, the Gleaner Company's afternoon tabloid, on Wednesday.
WHAT DOES it cost to bury a don? Well, a $1 million would be nice.
That's right, a whopping $1 million is the cumulative cost of the funeral for slain leader of the Black Roses Crew, William "Willie Haggart" Moore, who was killed two weeks ago.
The funeral service is scheduled for next Tuesday, and the National Arena has been rented for the entire day at a cost of $120,000.
Moore's body will lie in state from as early as 10 a.m., three hours before the start of the service, THE STAR understands.
Moore was killed, along with two other men Albert "Black Douge" Bonner and Noel "Big Bunny" Hinds, by gunmen who drove up in a motor car and sprayed them with bullets on Lincoln Crescent. Bonner was buried last Saturday and Hinds will be buried next Thursday.
Tommy Thompson of Brite-Lite Funeral Services Incorporated, told THE STAR that Moore's funeral will be a class act. "It is a very exquisite top of the line service. It will cost $1 million," Mr. Thompson emphasised.
The presentation will be sharp and Mr. Thompson intends to make it an affair to remember. "There will be a Mercedes Benz glass hearse, five stretch limousines and the deceased will have a designer casket which was imported from Texas, USA," Mr. Thompson revealed. "A water fountain will be set up behind the casket."
The casket, THE STAR understands, cost approximately $200,000.
Thompson said "Haggart" was christened a Catholic and so will be given a Catholic funeral. He said that, while the body is lying in state, several deejays and other entertainers will make tributes in the form of performances until the service is ready to begin. He told THE STAR that he is expecting at least 5,000 persons to attend the service.
Thompson further revealed that the National Arena, which will have a VIP section, will be completely decorated with backdrops and potted plants and there will also be helium balloons and arch trays.
"There will also be a motorcade with video cameras and Moore's body will be carried around Black Roses Corner and throughout the community before it is laid to rest over at the Calvary Cemetery," he said, adding that the funeral programmes will be fully coloured and there will be at least 14 radio announcements leading up to the funeral.
