But early this morning Alexander was informed that the request was granted by acting Prisons Commissioner Sterling Stewart.
Around 10 am, he was taken to Armstrong's Funeral Home in Arima, where he was allowed 20 minutes with his mother's body.
His relatives were forced to stand outside under the watchful eye of a large contingent of heavily armed prison officers. No communication was allowed between Alexander and his grieving relatives.
Alexander, who was considered the country's most wanted man before he was captured by police last year, was then whisked back to the Golden Grove state prison in Arouca.
Details of Alexander's brief excursion out of prison were not released until this morning to ensure the smooth execution of the exercise.
Alexander faces 64 charges arising out of the abduction of five members of a Brasso Seco family late last year, which resulted in three captives being killed.
His attorney Fareed Ali, who helped facilitate his request, said he was pleased that last-minute permission was eventually granted as the opportunity had lifted his client's spirits.
Alexander's mother Mary suffered a heart attack on Sunday and died at hospital the following day. Her funeral will take place at 2 pm today.