"The last rites will be held at St Mary''s Cathedral Basilica here at 2.30 PM that day," Syro Malabar Church spokesperson Fr Paul Thelekat said.Vatican representatives in India, Cardinals of Mumbai and Ranchi, Heads of Syro Malankara and Latin churches will be among those attending the funeral. The main celebrant at the funeral ceremony will be Bosco Puthur, administrator of Syro Malabar Church now.
Syro Malabar Bishops who are now in Vatican will arrive here by next week.
The meeting of the Bishops after the funeral will elect the new Major Archbishop of the Church, Fr Thelekat said.
Pope Benedict's telegram upon hearing of Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil.