A priest asked God to take pity on Robert Mugabe as the family of the longtime Zimbabwean leader buried him Saturday at his rural home.
They chose a private farewell for one of Africa's most divisive figures after a weeks-long dispute with the administration that forced him from power.
"This man lives forever," declared the priest, to cries of approval.
Mugabe died this month in Singapore at age 95 after leading the country for nearly four decades and being pushed into a shocking resignation as thousands danced in the streets.
"I was ridiculed," a relative said Mugabe told them. His coffin, draped in the country's flag, was carried by military pallbearers as his black-veiled wife, Grace, looked on.
On display was a photo of Mugabe holding up his fist in a classic gesture of defiance, and a floral arrangement spelled out "Dad."
Many mourners wore T-shirts saying "Liberator" and "Torch bearer."
Grace later stood motionless as the coffin was lowered into the grave and a choir sang "Remember me."
"I remember he presided over many burials of heroes that were attended by busloads of people. I thought one day such crowds would attend his own burial. What we did today was his wish."
She added: "I asked him why he didn't want to be buried at Heroes Acre and he responded: 'I was ridiculed.'"
A spokesman for the ruling ZANU-PF party, Simon Khaya Moyo, called the choice of a private burial "most unfortunate."
In a statement, Moyo added that "we indeed respect the wishes of families of deceased heroes, hence we are saddened when maneuvers that border on political gimmicks begin to unfold on an issue concerning an illustrious liberation icon."