Just for a little enlightenment. You kept saying to "be strong" (Kia kaha). During a tangi (funeral), it is encouraged to let your emotions show. We let our tears and snot run free because it releases our pain. In Māoridom, emotions are embraced and released not suppressed. His tears are honorable and is a show of deep respect for the departed. Also, māori is a term of being rather than a term that describes a race (the correct term is "polonesian") māori has only been a racial discription since colonization. We never called ourselves māori before that because it held a different meaning to us.
That was raw with love in pain. Young Jarom took his own life at 17. Too young and we Māori show our emotions as it is respectful to be real. May Jarom have found the peace in the heavens among his tupuna that he could not find on earth. May one day our warriors walk in peace on earth
May your family member, loved RIP. Your willing curiosity is palpable. My country (NZ) will guide you with comments. I do not live there anymore but hold traditional value. For a man to shed tears, do the haka etc is grief for the deceased and centuries old.
