Mourners lined streets decorated with pink ribbons to mark a “special day” celebrating the life of a seven-year-old killed in the Southport knife attack.
On Friday morning, a horse-drawn carriage arrived at St. John’s Church in Birkdale, near Southport, for the funeral of Elsie Dot Stancombe.
Her family walked in procession from their house behind the carriage.
People dressed in bright pastel colors and floral prints gathered outside the church after Elsie’s family asked attendees not to wear black. As they waited for the funeral procession to arrive, singer Wendy Chalke sang songs including Fleetwood Mac’s “Songbird.”
Among the mourners were members of the emergency services and Ibrahim Hussein, imam of the Southport mosque, which was damaged in a fire the night after Elsie’s death.
The family dog Bobby was also in front of the church and saw the procession arrive.
Members of Elsie’s cheerleading squad, Vortex Cheer, formed a guard of honor as the casket, which featured a blue stuffed animal on top, was carried into the church over a pink carpet and through a balloon arch with bubbles in the air.
Inside, the church was decorated with pastel flowers, pink ribbons and a screen with a picture of a dancer welcoming visitors to “Elsie’s special day”.
The Lighthouse Choir performed “From Now On” from “The Greatest Showman” and “Wind Beneath My Wings,” which was played from speakers outside the church as people entered.
In a statement released earlier in the day, Elsie’s family said: “Elsie has embraced life and it is with positivity, hope and love that we celebrate her life today on ‘Elsie’s special day.'”
“Elsie spent each day simply enjoying life with determination, persistence, love and kindness.
“Elsie was an amazing little girl. She had the ability to light up any room she entered. She was truly unforgettable.”
Elsie, Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Bebe King, six, suffered fatal injuries in the attack during a Taylor Swift dance class at a Hart Street studio on July 29.
Her family said: “She loved dancing and it goes without saying that she was a devoted ‘Swiftie’, she was always up for anything and tried every activity, we went to all of them.”
Along with the statement, a new photo was released showing Elsie with her younger sister Rosie (3) and her parents David and Jenni. The statement continued: “We are the four best friends in the whole wide world” – and that mantra will stay with us for the rest of our lives, knowing that Elsie is here with us and will be in our hearts forever.
“Elsie brought light, love and joy to so many lives and this was made clear to us by the overwhelming response from everyone who knew her and everyone in the community.”
In addition to those gathered in the church, others followed the service on screens in the fellowship hall and in the Liverpool Road Methodist Church.
After the service, a cortege will pass the spot where flowers were laid outside the Atkinson Arts Centre in Southport. As part of the cortege, the Royal Mail, where Elsie’s father David works, will also be making a donation.
This service is the last funeral for the victims.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, is accused of the murders of Elsie, Alice and Bebe, as well as the attempted murder of teacher Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes and eight children, whose names cannot be mentioned for legal reasons, and possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade.
