Jay Slater funeral: Mourners gather in blue as Forever Young plays at service
Jay Slater's friends and family gathered today for the funeral of the teen who died while on holiday in Tenerife with his friends. Huge crowds of well-wishers turned out for the procession.
Funeral procession for British teenager Jay Slater
Jay Slater's heartbroken friends and family have gathered in blue to give the teenager who died in Tenerife the "send-off he deserves".
The funeral for the 19-year-old bricklayer was being held in Accrington, Lancashire on Saturday. Well-wishers have been asked to wear something blue in his memory. Mourners looked on as tributes were made to the teen while the song 'Forever Young' was played.
His loved ones have asked people to donate to the charity LBT Global - an overseas support charity that assisted the family - instead of bringing flowers.
A post-mortem examination found that Jay Slater, who died on June 17, died of traumatic head injuries, consistent with a fall from height. He would have died instantly.
The “celebration of life service” is to take place at Accrington Cemetery Chapel before interment. Previously, the family set up a GoFundMe which raised £75,000 to give the teen the "send-off he deserves".
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KEY EVENTS
We are ending our live coverage of Jay Slater's funeral
Up to 500 mourners have attended the funeral service of teenager Jay Slater “who touched the lives of so many people”.
Family and friends packed into the chapel at Accrington Crematorium to pay their respects to the 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, who died while on holiday in Tenerife.
Many others watched in the drizzle outside as the proceedings were relayed on a specially erected big screen.
At the wishes of his family, most wore the colour blue in his memory including his work colleagues from PH Build Group, where he was an apprentice bricklayer, who wore T-shirts with ‘Forever 19’ on the front.
Funeral director Sarah Barton officiated at the service and told the congregation: “We know that Jay touched the lives of so many people, and on behalf of the family I would like to thank all those who have sent heartfelt messages and cards to them to help them get through this incredibly hard and sad time.
“I would also like to thank all those who have helped bring Jay safely back to us, family, friends, the kind offers from people in Tenerife, the police here back home and all of you for coming here today to show your love and care.”
A post-mortem examination found the teenager died on June 17 of traumatic head injuries, consistent with a fall from height. His death would have been instantaneous.
Mr Slater attended the NRG music festival with two friends before his disappearance, and his last known location was the Rural de Teno Park in the north of the Canary Island, which was about an 11-hour walk from his accommodation.
He had travelled to an Airbnb in Masca after a night out but the two men said to have rented the property were later ruled “not relevant” to the case.
The Spanish Civil Guard said Mr Slater could have fallen in the steep and inaccessible area where he was discovered.
Jay Slater's coffin pictured during funeral procession
Jay Slater's coffin - blue and emblazoned with his name - was seen being carried during a touching funeral procession on Saturday.
Poem read out during Jay Slater's funeral
The touching poem Time Will Ease the Hurt by Bruce Wilmer was read out by the celebrant during Jay Slater's funeral.
The poem speaks about the pain suffered from a loss and how it diminishes over time while never fading away completely.
It reads: "The sadness of the present days is locked and set in time, and moving to the future is a slow and painful climb. But all the feelings that are now so vivid and so real can’t hold their fresh intensity as time begins to heal.
"No wound so deep will ever go entirely away; yet every hurt becomes a little less from day to day. Nothing else can erase the painful imprints on your mind; but there are softer memories that time will let you find.
"Though your heart won’t let the sadness simply slide away, the echoes will diminish even though the memories stay."
Tributes pour in for Jay Slater as family moves to privately mourn
The public part of Jay Slater's funeral and procession has ended, with the family moving to a separate area of the cemetery to privately mourn.
However, tributes from the public continue to pour in for the teenager who died in Tenerife in June.
One person wrote online: " Rest in paradise Jay sending my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends, God bless."
Another added: " Rest in paradise Jay sending my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends, God bless."
A GoFundMe set up to help pay for the family's costs raised £72,556. The family has since asked people to donate to LBT Global - which helped support the family - to honour Jay.
Mourners seen carrying blue flowers during the procession
Mourners - including friends and family of Jay Slater - were seen carrying blue flowers during the teenager's funeral procession.
The family had asked people to wear blue in honour of Jay and to donate to LBT Global in his memory.
Blue flares set off as congregants exit church
Blue smoke could be seen as flares were let off outside the church at Jay Slater's funeral where tributes were delivered for the teenager.
Huge turnout at Jay Slater's funeral as teen is laid to rest
Video from Jay Slater's funeral procession shows the large crowds that braved the rain to honour the British teen.
A huge turnout for Jay's funeral, which was a moving send-off. Hundreds have followed Jay's family down towards the graveside. @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/4bT2ANQX2g
\u2014 Stephen Topping (@stetopping) August 10, 2024
Family follow the procession
Jay's mother, father and brother are seen following the service.
Drum and bass plays as final journey begins
Drum and bass music plays as Jay's coffin is lifted back to the horse -drawn carriage.
Hundreds of people are following the procession down.
Drum and bass plays as Jay's coffin is lifted back to the horse -drawn carriage, ahead of his final journey. @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/ca8OFR1UtF
\u2014 Stephen Topping (@stetopping) August 10, 2024
Horse-drawn carriage to transport Jay's coffin
A horse-drawn carriage is preparing to take Jay to his final resting place. The crowd has gathered silently as the procession begins to pull away.
Debbie Duncan fights back tears
Jay's mum, Debbie Duncan, was seen fighting back tears as tributes were paid to her son.
Procession preparing to head to cemetery
The procession is preparing to head to the cemetery. There is a horse-drawn carriage.
Memories of Jay being shared
The celebrant is sharing memories of Jay at the service.
Mourners are now being shown videos of Jay dancing, while a version of 'Party All The Time' plays. Laughter can be heard from inside the chapel as the clips are played. @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/PPajJV0dOv
\u2014 Stephen Topping (@stetopping) August 10, 2024
'Forever young'
Attendees are now wishing to specially-selected music for the funeral. The song Forever Young is being played.
Jay was a keen music lover. A tribute released ahead of the funeral states: "Jay’s love of music and dance started at a very young age. He loved attending music festivals and events across the country and also loved to socialise and meet new people."
Crowd gathers in the rain to mourn Jay Slater
A crowd gathered holding umbrellas while watching as tributes were made for teenager Jay Slater, who died in Tenerife in June.
'Too many friends to mention'
A heartbreaking tribute was made as mourners gathered in blue at the funeral of Jay Slater.
During the readings, it was revealed that the 19-year-old from Lancashire had "too many friends to mention".
Tributes from friends coming to an end
"We love you Jay, we'll stand by your family, and that's a promise"
The tributes from friends are now coming to an end.
Tributes from friends
Tributes from Jay's friends are now being read out:
"We're all gonna miss you right bad. Goodnight brother, don't party too hard."
"Jay was not just my mate, he was my brother"
"I will make you proud."
"Jay was always happy, enthusiastic and always had that cheeky smile on his face."
Jay's friends invited to pay tribute
Jay's friends are now coming forward to say a few words about the 19-year-old bricklayer.
Fundraiser to support charity that helped family
Jay's family has asked people not to send flowers as the family is has arranged floral tributes.
They have however set up a fundraiser for LBT Global, a charity that offered them assistance over the past few months. Anyone who wishes to make a donation to that cause is invited to do so.
Funeral procession
The funeral procession in Accrington this morning. Mourners have turned out to remember the 19-year-old.
Mourners arriving wearing blue
Mourners have started arriving at the funeral in Accrington this morning. Many are wearing blue after a request from the family.
Funeral taking place in Lancashire
The funeral of 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer Jay Slater is taking place in Accrington, Lancashire. Jay was from the nearby town of Oswaldtwistle.
