There was "unspeakable sorrow" as tears flowed at the funeral of a one-year-old baby who died following a tragic accident.
Emily Whinnery, a one-year-old baby described as a "real charmer" with "lovely eyes and a big smile", was laid to rest following a moving funeral in the Co Tyrone town of Cookstown on Friday afternoon.
Her remains were carried from Derrloran Parish Church in a bright pink coffin and taken in a horse drawn carriage following the ceremony.
Read more: Prayers for family as baby who died in Cookstown tragedy named locally
Beforehand, members of the local community lined the streets as her funeral cortege made its way around the street where she lived with her parents and three older brothers.
Bright coloured balloons were released in the sky by local children as little Emily's hearse made its way past crowds of people dressed, at the family's request, in bright coloured clothes.
Emergency services, including the Air Ambulance, had rushed to the family home on Sunday afternoon following the infant's sudden death.
During the service at Derryloran Parish Church on Friday afternoon, Rev Robert Porteus addressed the family, friends and local community directly: "Our hearts, as one, go out to you".
He continued: "Little Emily was born on the 18th of November, 2023 and she was a real, real charmer. She had lovely eyes and a big smile. I only knew her for a very short time but that was so true of little Emily. I had the privelege and the pleasure of baptising her on the 23rd of November, 2024 - just a few months ago. I watched the family here in Church and I watched her especially trying to get up on her little feet. She never quite made it, but she was trying. Who could have foreseen that tragedy would befall the family such a short time later?"
Rev Porteus continued: "Our hearts do go out to them at this time of unspeakable sorrow. It is a parent's worst nightmare. Someone else described it as the ultimate tragedy. Nothing can be more devastating than to lose a child.
"Our shared grief today is a natural and normal response to such a deep loss. Jesus knew all about grief and sorrow too, because we are told in the scriptures that Jesus wept for his friend Lazarus. It is the shortest verse in the Bible - Jesus wept."
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
English (United States) ·