By DANA SMITH

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

MORE than 1,000 people are expected to show up for Saturday's funeral service of 11 Haitians who tragically drowned in waters off Abaco, more than a week ago.

The six adults and five children were among a group of 28 passengers on board the 25-foot “Glory Time” which capsized on its way to Florida.

The six adults have yet to be identified but the five children are 11-year-old Jermaine Joseph, 10-year-old Evincekie Baptist, nine-year-old Alanzo Joseph, eight-year-old Chrischanti Joseph, and seven-year-old Ashanti Joseph.

Five passengers remain in police custody while the other twelve are still unaccounted for.

Dr Exante Cherelus, president of the Haitian Pastors Association said the Enoch Backford Auditorium – where the funeral service is expected to be held, can accommodate 1,000 persons but he believes more will come.

“It’s Saturday so the community will be out,” he said, explaining the Haitian community has “definitely” expressed their support of the victims in recent weeks.

“This is a very sad moment for the Haitian community,” he continued. “Also the Bahamian (community) because the Haitian and Bahamian (communities) mixed together for a long time.”

Kemuel Cox, President and CEO of Rock of Ages Northside Funeral Home, who handled the funeral arrangements, also spoke to the press and spoke of his company’s commitment to helping the community.

“We have always been dedicated to helping the Haitians for a number of years and we stand — when a disaster like this happens to the community, we’re always ready to lend a helping hand,” he said.

“Our commitment stands. Not only for the Haitian Community, but as a community leader and business man, anytime a disaster like this happens, we certainly stand to accommodate in any way we can.”

Mr Cox added: “This is not about money it’s about caring and doing what is right for your community.”

Funeral services start at $5,000, he said but noted: “This is not about a cost issue, this is about helping a group of people who are not able to help themselves.”

It was last week that Mr Cox said the funeral will cost “nowhere near” what the usual cost would be.

Yesterday, he commended the Haitian Ambassador, the Haitian Pastors Association and the Haitian community for joining together to help organise and pay for the funeral service.

“Whatever monies that have been collected came from that source. This group, they stood and they took the initial step and said, ‘These are our people and we cannot throw them away, we must give them a decent burial’ and we are hand-in-hand with them to do just that,” he said.

“To be quite honest with you, the Embassy and the Pastors Association they made the initial step and came to us and asked us to partner with them to make this happen and we did just that.”

Yesterday evening the public was invited to the funeral home to view the bodies of the victims – some in an open casket, but most closed.

“Some of the bodies are able to view. Most of them decomposed but we have prepared them and did the best we can to try to slow down the decomposition,” Mr Cox said, before adding: “There will be no viewing at the church – the auditorium.”

The funeral service will start at 10am Saturday at the Enoch Backford Auditorium on Carmichael Road and will be officiated by the Haitian Embassy, the Association of Haitian Pastors and the Catholic Diocese.

The victims will be laid to rest at Southern Cemetery on Cowpen Road and Spikenard Road.