Pictures John Hopkins
A white horse-drawn carriage led the way as grieving loved ones of murdered 16-year-old Birchwood schoolgirl Brianna Ghey attended her funeral at St Elphin’s Parish Church in Warrington today.
Mourners wearing pink, including members of the LGBT Transgender community, turned out in force to pay their respects to Brianna at an emotional service led by Reverend Debbie Lovatt and attended by the town’s Mayor Cllr. Jean Flaherty.
The Year 11 pupil at Birchwood Community High School, who was stabbed to death at Culcheth Linear Park last month, was hailed as a larger-than-life character who was ‘beautiful’ and loving.
Her light pink casket, which arrived in a white horse-drawn carriage, was carried into Elphin’s Parish Church by loved ones, who paid an emotional tribute to her.
As dozens of Brianna’s loved ones gathered outside the church as onlookers could hear a rendition of I Dreamed a Dream. Lana Del Rey’s ‘Video Games’ was then played as Brianna’s coffin entered the church.
The congregation prayed and sang ‘Amazing Grace’.
A family member held back tears as she read a poem while letters from friends and classmates were also read out.
Brianna’s school ended the tributes with a letter saying: “We will miss her determination and grit. Her wit and humour. Her insults and her putting us in our place.
“We learned so much from her, and how to be our true self. She was a true one-off.”
Mourners left the church to ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow.’
Vigils have previously been held across the country for Brianna.
Two teenagers – a boy from Leigh and a local girl, both aged 15 – who can#t be named for legal reasons, who are accused of Brianna’s murder are due to appear in court on July 10 for a trial expected to last three weeks.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Brianna's family and friends today.
The funeral of Brianna Ghey will take place at 2.45pm at St Elphin's Church today, Wednesday 15 March, where we will collectively remember and celebrate her life. pic.twitter.com/4KGxNVVai9
— Warrington Youth Zone (@WarringtonYZ) March 15, 2023
Today, Brianna Ghey will be laid to rest. I'm sending all my love to her family, friends and classmates on this difficult day ❤️
Please donate if you can to this legacy project fundraiser from Brianna's family in her memory: https://t.co/dQL96NXvPs https://t.co/sX9ky1dbL4
— Charlotte Nichols (@charlotte2153) March 15, 2023
The cortege arrives at Brianna Ghey’s funeral at St Elphins Church, Warrington.
People are wearing pink in memory of the 16-year-old. pic.twitter.com/pjQJNNCevP— Josh Parry (@joshparry) March 15, 2023
Mourners have been asked to wear pink at Brianna Ghey’s funeral at St Elphin’s Church in Warrington. Brianna’s coffin was carried into the church while Lana Del Rey’s Video Games was played out on speakers. A brief silence was held as a mark of respect at the start of the service pic.twitter.com/rIwjGPz8U1
— Lauren Moss (@LaurenM0ss) March 15, 2023
💜 Our hearts and thoughts are with Brianna Ghey’s loved ones as she is laid to rest today. pic.twitter.com/a6RjHjbeU5
— Royal Vauxhall Tavern (@thervt) March 15, 2023
My heart goes out to Brianna Ghey and her loved ones today, as they lay her to rest. Brianna deserved the right to grow old and live a full life as a trans woman. Rest in Pride Brianna <3 #BriannaGhey pic.twitter.com/47Bs3MlqrF
— Fox Fisher (@theFoxFisher) March 15, 2023
🏳️⚧️ Horse and carriage dressed in pink for the funeral of #BriannaGhey this afternoon.
A service for the 16-year-old who was stabbed to death last month is being held in Warrington. pic.twitter.com/VQSdIzMOBV
— Owen Arands (@OwenArandz) March 15, 2023
The order of service for Brianna Ghey’s funeral pic.twitter.com/KJK3BkbKqj
— Olivia Williams (@livs_wills) March 15, 2023
Today is the funeral for #BriannaGhey.
She should have had a long happy life, but was bullied at school for daring to be trans, and ultimately brutally murdered!
My thoughts are for her, her friends, her community, and her family!💔 pic.twitter.com/oe16chGCWz— 💗🌺 LAURA 🌸💗 Powered by HRT!!🏳️⚧️ (@Now_Being_Laura) March 15, 2023
“I can’t believe we are here to say good bye – we miss you Brianna Ghey.” – poems were read by friends to hundreds of people at St Elphin’s church. Somewhere Over The Rainbow was played followed by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s All I Ask Of You as Brianna’s funeral came to a close pic.twitter.com/jPMH4seLzM
— Lauren Moss (@LaurenM0ss) March 15, 2023
2 Comments
Sleep tight Brianna. God bless you x
We attended the Vigil also todays very sad day when she was laid to rest, the lack of people there was shocking! We hope this is a one off incident and I really thought the good people of Warrington would have turned out in force and numbers. I am not a friend or family and was prepared to stand outside rather then be inside the church. An extremely sad day day for all. RIP little lady.
Stu