At nine in the morning, a large crowd began to gather around Divya's parents' Juhu residence, Archana Kutir. The crowd in the building compound consisted mainly of family, friends and relatives, but outside it was pure chaos. A huge crowd of obnoxious fans pointed fingers, grinned and generally had fun. They all wanted a glimpse of their favourite stars who were attending the funeral. They had not come to mourn the death of a young, beautiful actress. It was a circus.
The body having been handed over to the family, was dressed in bridal finery, a red and gold saree, jewellery, sindoor and make-up. Divya looked beautiful, even in death. It seemed as if she was merely lying on a stretcher for a film scene.
Divya's father who had been admitted to the psychiatric ward due to violent fits, was heavily sedated but allowed to attend the funeral. It was really sad to see him escorted by his father, Divya's grand father, wherever he went.
Around 11 a.m., the body was brought down from Divya's fifth floor flat. A brief prayer was said, while the mourners sprinkled red rose petals. As one caught sight of Divya, one noticed that those beautiful eyes were closed. She seemed to be at peace with herself. Finally!
The body was then placed in an ambulance which transported her to the Vile Parle Crematorium, nearby...
When the procession reached the crematorium, Divya's body was placed on the funeral pyre. Her husband Sajid, who had to be propped up by some family members, began sobbing uncontrollably, and then went berserk as the mourners placed the last log. In order to calm him down, some person took Sajid close to the pyre and let him look at his young wife's face for the last time. After which he fell quiet. That sight would have moved the hardest of hearts. Divya's elderly man servant, who had looked after her since the age of three, broke down totally. Her mother was still in a state of shock, while her father was crying silently...
Around noon, Divya's body was consigned to flames at the Vile Parle Crematorium. Divya's young brother Kunaal lit the funeral pyre. The last rites were conducted as per Hindu traditions, as it was allegedly desired by the actress, a family member claimed.
By four p.m. it was all over... And all that remained of a 19-year-old girl were her smouldering ashes and fond memories. She had left behind many unanswered questions and many broken people.
Prominent personalities who were present on both days at the hospital and at home: Hema Malini, Amrish Puri, Raj Babbar, Pehlaj Nihalani, David Dhawan, Govinda, Sonu Walia, Babita and Karisma, Urmila Matondkar, Farheen, Sabeeha, Mahesh Anand, Kamal Sadanah, Karan Roy, Somy Ali, Sangeeta Bijlani, Shilpa Shirodkar, N. Chandra, Bharat Rungachary, Sudhakar Bokade, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Aruna Irani, Asrani, Varsha Usgaonkar, Rajiv Roi, Mukesh Duggal and Bindu. Sajid's parents remained conspicuous by their absence at the funeral.