Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh, 31, was cremated on 16 Nov at a crematorium in Shah Alam, Malaysia. The social media personality, also known as Hsieh Yu-hsin, had died in a hotel room in Kuala Lumpur on 22 Oct.
Her body was kept in the morgue for 25 days for investigations before the cremation could proceed.
Hsieh’s parents did not travel to Malaysia but appointed a lawyer and representatives to handle the funeral arrangements. They watched the farewell proceedings via video link and were unable to hide their grief, according to China Press.
The family’s lawyer, Chen Junda, told China Press in an interview that the couple were devastated and struggling to accept their daughter’s sudden passing. The lawyer added that further action would only be taken after the family had calmed down and funeral arrangements were completely finished.
The lawyer and several funeral service personnel, including two mortuary makeup artists, arrived at 8:30am on 16 Nov. A brief religious rite was conducted before the cremation began.
A memorial tablet bearing Hsieh’s name was placed before the coffin as prayers were offered. Her portrait was not placed on the offering table, though several fruits and food items were present, including a bubble tea.
The hearse that transported her remains bore no portrait of Hsieh. At the family’s request, a man photographed her for the final time before the cremation.
The coffin was pushed into the furnace at 10:30am. Her ashes are expected to be transported to Taiwan.
Namewee’s Release and Black Social Media Display Sparks Online Debate
Malaysian rapper Namewee, who was present at the scene when Hsieh died, was initially arrested in connection to her death. He was held by local authorities for nine days before being released on bail on 13 Nov.
Police investigators stated there was no evidence to link the rapper to her death.
Following his release, Namewee wrote on Facebook that he had tried his best to save Hsieh but it was “too late”. He described witnessing the moment she passed away as the first time in his life someone had died in front of his eyes.
The rapper said he was extremely upset, helpless and shocked. He added that he tried his utmost to save her but was unable to avert the outcome, and that the scene would remain indelibly in his mind forever.
On the day of Hsieh’s cremation, Namewee switched his social media page to an entirely black image without any further comment. The gesture drew immediate attention and polarised reactions online.
Many users expressed confusion and concern, asking whether something had happened or if there was a technical fault. Others offered messages of support, insisting he bore no responsibility for the incident.
A separate stream of comments, however, questioned his role in the case and suggested he could not be completely detached from it.
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