Cardinal Suharyo Presides Over Funeral Mass and Coffin Closing for Maria Bernadeth Latifah Oetama

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta, presided over a requiem mass and coffin closing ceremony for Maria Bernadeth Latifah Oetama on Thursday, 28 May 2026.

During the mass, Cardinal Suharyo was accompanied by concelebrant Father Thomas Ulun Ismoyo. He led prayers for the deceased Latifah, attended by mourners.

“Alongside the grieving family who have lost their beloved mother, Mrs Maria Bernadette Latifah Utomo, we celebrate the Eucharist as Mrs Latifah returns to God, the origin and destination of human life,” he said.

“And we can trust that the Father welcomes her with joy and happiness,” he added.

Suharyo admitted he did not know Latifah personally but was familiar with Jakob Oetama, whom he regarded as a significant figure.

According to Suharyo, behind Jakob’s prominence was Latifah’s continuous sacrifices for the family.

“I believe it is these sacrifices that make life flourish, embedding values within the family through the mother’s example and, of course, inheriting the spirit of the late father,” he said after the coffin closing ceremony.

The deceased will be buried at Tanah Kusir Public Cemetery on Friday, 29 May 2026.

“The entire Kompas Gramedia family mourns the passing of Mrs Maria Bernadeth Latifah Oetama, wife of the late Mr Jakob Oetama, founder of Kompas Gramedia,” stated the @kompasgramedia Instagram account on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.

Kompas Gramedia also noted that Mrs Latifah’s departure leaves a legacy of example and love for the Kompas Gramedia family.

The company offered prayers for Mrs Latifah to attain eternal peace and for the bereaved family to receive strength and resilience.