When the coffin reached the churchyard, the launeddas broke the hushed silence of the square, followed by a long round of applause to pay homage to that special woman who died on the very day of the feast of "her" Saint Efisio, who did so much for her community.
Over a thousand people attended the funeral this afternoon for Elena Siddi, who died on May 1st while walking to the church in Stampace to attend the Mass marking the opening of the celebrations in honor of the Warrior Martyr. Inside the church of Santa Vittoria, there is no room, not even standing room; the crowds who had gathered to pay their last respects to Elena filled the entire square.
The words of Don Stefano Casula, a friar at the Is Molas sanctuary that Elena often visited, try to ease the family's grief: "Mother Teresa said that the only thing we are allowed to take with us after death is a suitcase full of charity. Elena had filled hers long ago."
For Elena's final farewell, even the feast of Sant'Efisio came to a halt: Andrea Loi, president of the Arciconfraternita del Gonfalone, was present with the flag, and Ottavio Nieddu also made sure to be there. Elena loved the Sardinian costume, always worn with great devotion, which is why the folk group Sharak wore it for her on the day of her final farewell. At the cemetery, the final applause, her community's thanks for everything Elena meant to them in their life.