JAYA Slater’s life was remembered through tears and laughter today as hundreds gathered for the tragic teenager’s funeral.
The 19-year-old’s body was found 29 days after he fell to his death in the mountainous region of Tenerife on June 17.
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Jay Slater’s funeral took place today in LancashireCredit: Ian Whittaker
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Jay’s mum Debbie and dad Duncan dressed in blue as they greeted their son’s coffin Credit: Zenpix
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Zak carried his brother’s coffin after the touching ceremonyCredit: Zenpix
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A heartbroken Debbie and Zak wiped away tears as they followed Jay’s coffin on foot on its final journey to the grave Credit: Zenpix
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Jay was brought to the church in a blue-crowned coffin Credit: Zenpix
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Jay’s family and friends were in tears as they said goodbye to Jay Credit: Zenpix
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Jay’s name carved on his coffin Credit: Zenpix
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Friends and family all wore blue for JayCredit: Zenpix
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Hundreds gathered to say goodbye to Jay as they watched the funeral on a big screen outside Accrington Cemetery Credit: Zenpix
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Leaflets with a picture of Jay and the message #zauvijek19 were distributed to the mourners Credits: THE SUN
It was standing room only at Accrington Crematorium, Lancs, as hundreds of mourners gathered in the drizzle outside to watch the service on a specially erected screen.
At his family’s request, most wore blue – his favorite color.
Jay’s blue coffin, with his name stamped on the side, arrived in a horse-drawn carriage shortly before 10:20 am.
His grieving mother Debbie Duncan, 55, wept as the coffin was carried inside to the sounds of Forever Young Becky Hill.
And she led the family as they followed Jay on his last farewell at the funeral.
It comes after Jay’s family launched a new fundraiser earlier this week to raise money for LBT Global, a missing persons charity to help them through their pain.
Jay’s workmates at PH Build Group, where he was an apprentice mason – a job he loved – wore T-shirts with “Forever 19” emblazoned across the front
Tears were shed as fond memories of Jay from Oswaldtwistle were recounted, while mourners laughed as clips of a teenage dance were played.
As a nod to Jay’s love of going wild, the videos are set to the popular dance track Party All the Time.
Funeral director Sarah Barton, who officiated at the service, told the community how “Jay touched so many people’s lives”.
She also read touching eulogies from three of Jay’s closest friends, including schoolmate James Curry who described the party-loving teenager as “like a brother”.
Jay Slater’s family announces new fundraiser ahead of funeral
He added: “Jay was one of a kind. He lit up any room with that goofy smile of his.”
The fitting poem Train of Life was read to the congregation and those inside were invited to take home a candle to light in Jay’s memory.
As the emotional service drew to a close, Wings ali Birdy played as Jay’s devastated brother Zak, 24, helped carry the coffin out of the chapel.
He, devastated mum Debbie and dad Warren, 58, wiped away tears as they then followed the coffin on foot on its final journey to the grave for a private burial.
Close friend Brad Hargreaves, who was on holiday with Jay when he first went missing, was seen standing behind them fighting back tears.
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His family wanted to give him a memorable farewell Credit: Zenpix
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Jay’s family asked friends and family to wear blue.Credit: Zenpix
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Mourners gathered outside the chapel to watch Jay’s funeral on a large outdoor screen Credit: THE SUN
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Jay’s older brother Zak was seen at the funeralCredit: Zenpix
ANALYSIS: Tears and laughter – a beautiful ending to Jay’s tragic story
By Katie Davis
It was an emotional end to an extremely tragic story today when Jay Slater was laid to rest.
Jay’s brave family did him proud as they threw the 19-year-old a wonderful send-off.
Despite the rainy weather, hundreds of Jay’s loved ones gathered at Accrington Crematorium to say goodbye to the beloved teenager.
His heartbreaking disappearance captured the attention of millions around the world.
Young and old followed the news every step of the way, and it was devastating when Jay’s body was found 29 days after he went missing in Tenerife.
But it brought much-needed closure to his brave mum Debbie, dad Warren and brother Zak who were forced to endure the cruel persecution of internet trolls.
Debbie promised to give Jay the send off he deserved and I’m sure everyone in attendance would agree that she did just that.
It was extremely moving today to stand in front of the chapel in a sea of blue clothes, ribbons and flowers as his family and friends said their goodbyes.
Although there were many tears shed, it was heartwarming to hear the guests laughing as they watched videos of Jay dancing.
As his relatives and friends say, Jay always had a smile on his face – and that’s what they want to remember him for.
Crowds are asked not to bring bouquets, but are welcome to “bring one rose to the place with Jay.”
Outside the chapel was a sea of blue, Jay’s favorite color, with many clutching blue flowers and wearing blue bracelets and ribbons. Blue rockets even landed in Jay’s memory.
Guests were given poignant little leaflets outside the crematorium in Jay’s memory.
The front featured a picture of a smiling teenager alongside the words: “In loving memory of Jay Dean Slater. Always in our hearts. #forever19.”
On the back, a touching quote reads: “If anyone danced their way to the other side, it was him.”
Jay’s funeral expenses are mostly covered by donations to a GoFundMe page set up by Jay’s friend Lucy Mae Law after he went missing.
Well-wishers have raised more than £70,000 to support the teenager’s family.
Tragic Jay disappeared on the morning of June 17 while on holiday in the Canary Islands with two friends, Lucy and Brad.
He traveled to an Airbnb in the remote village of Masca with two men after leaving a music festival at a nightclub nearly an hour’s drive away.
Later that morning, he called Lucy and said he was thirsty, lost, and his phone battery was almost at one percent.
Jay Slater’s touching obituary
IN loving REMEMBER of Jay Dean Slater, of Fountains Way, Oswaldtwistle, who passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 17, 2024, while on holiday in Tenerife, aged 19 years.
After Jay left Rhyddings High School, he became an apprentice bricklayer with the PH Build group, a job he thoroughly enjoyed.
At the age of 5, Jay started playing football for Huncoat United FC under 17 and also did a few seasons with St Joesph’s Sunday team.
He also liked to spend time relaxing with his friends.
Jay’s love for music and dance began at a very young age. He loved attending music festivals and events around the country, and he also loved socializing and meeting new people.
Beloved son of Debbie and Warren, beloved brother of Zak and brother-in-law of Jessica, precious grandson of Dawn, June and the late Dougie, beloved nephew of Glen and Katie, dear cousin of Maddie and Tillie and loyal friend to many. Jay will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2024, in Accrington Cemetery Chapel prior to interment.
Attendees are invited to wear something blue in his memory.
Family flowers only please, but if anyone would like to bring just one rose to Jay’s they are more than welcome.
His cellphone died at 8.50am near a hiking trail in the Rural de Teno National Park – an 11-hour walk from his apartment in the south of the island.
Police spent nearly two weeks combing the vast area with drones, helicopters and sniffer dogs before turning to a private search.
Jay’s desperate dad Warren, 58, and brother Zak, 24, also continued the hunt – retracing Jay’s tracks almost every day in the searing heat.
The family was hounded by vile trolls and conspiracy theorists, who relentlessly spread baseless claims online.
After 29 days, Jay’s body was found on July 15 deep in a ravine near where his phone last pinged a phone tower.
Dramatic images showed the moment a helicopter crew member was winched into the abyss with his hands up in a delicate extrication operation.
A post mortem carried out in the UK confirmed that Jay died of traumatic head injuries, consistent with a “fall from a height”.
The coroner’s report states that his death would have been instantaneous.
In an emotional tribute, Jay’s family described the football-mad apprentice bricklayer as a “loving son”.
It said: “When he was five, Jay started playing football for Huncoat United FC until he was 17 and also did a few seasons with St Joesph’s Sunday team.
“He also liked to spend time relaxing with his friends.
“Jay’s love for music and dance began at a very young age.
“He loved attending music festivals and events around the country, and he loved socializing and meeting new people.
“Jay will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
Former policeman turned journalist Mark Williams-Thomas, who helped investigate Jay’s disappearance, also paid tribute before the service.
He said: “My thoughts are especially with the family and friends of Jay Slaters today.
“He was a young man who enjoyed life and like many young people take risks, but he had fun.
“His family and friends have certainly shown how much they loved him and he will, I’m sure, always be in their hearts and thoughts watching over them.”
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People seen with blue torches walking across LancashireCredit: Zenpix
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Screen showing content inside the church for Jay’s service Credit: CHRIS NEILL
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Tribute left by mum Debbie near where Jay fell Credit: Ian Whittaker
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Jay shown as a young man playing footballCredit: Facebook
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His devastated mum Debbie, l, pictured with dad Warren, c, and brother Zak, r, in Tenerife vowed to give Jay what he ‘deserves’ Credit: Ian Whittaker
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The place where a teenager tragically fell to his death
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Jay with mum Debbie and brother Zak, right Credit: Instagram
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Police used a helicopter to retrieve Jay’s body Credit: Solarpix
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Jay died while on vacation with close friend Lucy LawCredit: Instagram
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education