Funeral of Emperor Nathan III

On the morning of 23.III.1716, Emperor Nathan III was found dead in his bed by his husband Makhmud. The reason for his death was unknown and investigations began immediately, though no foul play was indicated. Immediately upon his death, in accordance with his instrument of succession, the throne passed to his sister Vadoma, who was Empress of the West at the time.

The Court of Vista de Nada began planning a funeral, to be held on 10.IV.1716 in the Cathedral-Basilica of the Sacred Calf, in a Bovic ceremony officiated by his own sister and successor, Vadoma, who is also Bosarch of Lindström, and Sergius Hergones, Pentheros of Dozan Bovic Church.

Confirmed attendees

The Late Emperor's family and extended family

• Emperor-Emeritus, Nathan Anders Aharsi Waffel-Paine & Drak, father of the late emperor
• Dowager Emperor Consort Makhmud Kalimatov and Dowager Empresses Consorts Christina McHolme and Sophia Neil, husband and wives of the late emperor
• Prince Nathaniel Kalimatov Waffel-Paine, Prince Kilynn Neil Waffel-Paine, and Princess Zava McHolme Waffel-Paine, children of the late emperor
• Co-Emperor Edward of Western Natopia, brother-in-law of the emperor, along with his and Empress Vadoma's children, Adelaide Carrillo y Waffel-Paine, Guinevere Carrillo y Waffel-Paine, John Carrillo y Waffel-Paine, and Ferdinand Carrillo y Waffel-Paine, nephews and nieces of the late emperor (Empress Vadoma will not attend the funeral, she will officiate it)
• Leonora Noor Waffel-Paine, sister of the late emperor
• John Hilding Drak & Waffel-Paine, brother of the late emperor, along with his husband and wives Loki Drakspunk, Qaren Queenie, and Griselia Smith, and their children Lisa Drak & Waffel-Paine, Aurica Queenie Drak & Waffel-Paine, Dorian Queenie Drak & Waffel-Paine, Sehml Smith Drak & Waffel-Paine , Heidi Smith Drak & Waffel-Paine, and Paul Queenie Drak & Waffel-Paine.
• Rani Salome of Tas Neemia, Princess Kian Aiomide Shahnaz, Prince Rubin Leonid Orientalis, step-siblings of the late emperor
• Clara Sundara Waffel-Paine & Drak, aunt of the late emperor, and Cledwyn Starshade, her husband, and their children Carl Starshade of Waffel-Paine, Stav Starshade of Waffel-Paine, and Fen Starshade of Waffel-Paine, cousins of the late emperor

Representatives of Natopian governments

•  Eastern Natopia
  • Chancellor Eiiard Darkroot
  • Mishti Lohani, Minister of Foreign Affairs
  • Pierre Francois, Secretary of Defence
  •  Neridia:
    • Prince of Neridia Janus I
  •  Dos Gardenias:
    • Francis Joseph IV, Titular Emperor of the Alexandrians, and his wife Queen-Empress Elizabeth
  •  Tas Neemia:
    • Rani Salome (in the family delegation)
•  Western Natopia
  • First Consul of Western Natopia, Ernesto de la Cruz
  • Isabel Aetós-Fournier, Chancellor and Second Consul
  • Mélodie Hachette, Secretary of Foreign Affairs
  •  Mar Sara:
    • Princess Rosamund, Duchess of Mar Sara, Vicegerent and Heiress Apparent of the Principality of Arboria
  •  Whales:
    • Frederik Anders, Regent of Whales and Lord of Chur, and his wife Sabine
    • Jirō, Lord of Kigazeki (in the family delegation)
    • Karl Battenberg, Lord of Schneedünen, and his wife Rosalind
    • Kian Aiomide Shahnaz, Lady of Senkyōwan (in the family delegation)
    • Li Naomiai Avon-El, Lady of Hoffenheim, and her husband, Pentheros-Emeritus Prince Aldin
    • Nathan II, Lord of Andelarion an den Neurändern and of Maschinekauer (in the family delegation)
    • Sandro Zartbitter, Lord of Köniz

Representatives of foreign states

•  Benacian Union
  • Daniyal ibn Daniyal, Szodan of Benacia.
  • Ayesha al-Osman, Commissioner for Foreign Affairs of the Benacian Union.
•  Constancia
  • Basileusa Esmeralda, Autokrateira of Constancia, Princess of Arboria
•  Dark Berry Islands
  • Sofia Fasthey, Chairwoman of the Council of Women, de-facto Prime Minister of the Dark Berry Islands.
  • Elizabeth Georgina Giannoulis, Deputy-Chairwoman of the Council of Women.
•  Floria
  • Nick Borisov, President of Floria.
•  Hurmu
  • Patrik Djupvik, Senator, Prime Minister of Hurmu, and his wife Mikaela Klaron Djupvik
  • Ghawetkiin Enkhjargal, Senator, Khanum of Lontinien
•  Mondosphere
  • Mondo, King of Riskai and Grand Duke of Etzeland
  • Anastasia, Queen of Riskai and Grand Duchess of Etzeland
•  Normark
  • Prince Fredrik Michael Tarjeisson, Crown Prince of Normark
•  Nouvelle Alexandrie
  • King Manco Cápac I of Nouvelle Alexandrie
  • Queen Alexandra of Nouvelle Alexandrie
  • President of the Government Felipe de Almagro
•  Suren
  • Rashid Sanook, Grand Vizier of the Suren Confederacy

Others

•  Honourable Company
  • Daniyal al-Osman, Director of Apollonian Operations
  • Voski Kasabian, Director of Cibolan Operations
  • Alfonso de Carillo, Director of Tapferite Operations

Order of service

Introduction

After all the guests had arrived, a procession led by Empress Vadoma and Pentheros entered through the aisle in the cathedral. After the Empress and Pentheros followed junior officers of the Spacefleet, clad in their distinctive black leather uniforms, carrying the open casket of the late emperor. The emperor's body was preserved in butter, and a certain lactic aroma filled the air of the cathedral as the casket was carried inside.

Each row of the congregation rose to attention as the procession reached it. There was an eerie silence, except for the footsteps of the procession in unison, making a sombre clapping noise for each step.

Once the casket had arrived at the most holy position in the cathedral, for all in the cathedral to see, the Pentheros began:

"Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today to say farewell and good bye to our brother in Bous, Nathan Luix Elijah Waffel-Paine of Drak, Emperor Nathan III of the Natopians, Emperor of the East, as he embarks on his final journey to the place where Bous's gifts are plenty. There, every day, in the great Dairy-land of the buttery kingdom, he will eat as much bagels as he would ever like, and drink as much juice as he would ever desire."

First hymn

The congregation sang the first hymn.

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And did those hoofs in ancient time,

Walk in Natopia's meadows green:

And was the holy Butt'ry Cow,

Eating from our grasses seen!

And did the Butter, thick and fat,

Melt down from our clouded hills?

And was His stable builded here,

Among these dark and heathen mills?

Bring me my Juice, so spark'ling gold;

Bring me the Bagels I desire:

Bring me all Butt'r my cup can hold!

Bring me all Milk from this shire!

I will not ever cease to moo,

And all Your calves will proudly stand:

Till Bous' stable has been built,

In Natopia's green and pleasant Land

Hymn written by Jack Lewis