Funeral of Tonga’s King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV - ABC International Development

The King of Tonga, Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV reigned for 41 years before his death in September 2006.

Commoners, nobles and royalty, including international dignitaries representing 23 nations, attended King Tuboutoʻa-Tungi’s funeral, which blended Christian and traditional Polynesian burial rites. 1000 men from Tongan villages, together with ex-students from Taufa'ahau College carried the catafalque. Lauaki, the leader of the Royal undertakers, known as the nima tapu (those with the ‘sacred hands’), stood beside the body.