They are going to have a memorial service for the 5 elders in Johnson City at the same place they have conventions there.
I hate the memorial service popularity in the dub world. It seems like a dismissal of the person's life, and an outward display to show to the congos and the public how faithful they are. The dubs need to validate their beliefs about death and faith in the "resurrection to a paradise earth" (with the same old scriptures).. They won't even give their "brothers and sisters" a proper funeral service and if the family wanted one, they could become targets of gossip and labeling among congregation members. I do feel bad for the families since they will be expected to keep their grief at a minimum to prove they are faithful to the beliefs. Their mourning period will be cut short when other dubs keep reminding them they will see their husbands and fathers soon since the big "A" is coming soon. They will have to comply to this pressure.
I was wondering, since the pilot was a "brother" also, did he own the private plane or did they rent the plane? If they rented it, who paid for it? Brooklyn absolutely has the money to pay for it, but I doubt they would. Does the money come out the contribution box where people give specifically from the Kingdom Hall Building funds? I don't think that people expect the "builds" include private plane service.