Liam Payne’s body, having been flown back to England last week, will be laid to rest in the next few days.
The tragic demise of the 31-year-old former One Direction star shocked fans worldwide when news emerged he had died after a fall from his Buenos Aires hotel balcony. With three individuals now facing charges over the incident, mourners are awaiting further details on the proceedings.
Loyal followers remember Liam fondly as the young talent from The X Factor who was met with a heartbreaking fate, suffering “serious injuries that were incompatible with life”. Investigations into this terrible event are still active.
After Liam’s body was handed over to his distraught family, three arrests related to the case have been officially confirmed. Meanwhile, the plane returning Liam to British soil broke records for the most followed flight in history, highlighting the magnitude of global grief amongst fans.
Details on where Liam Payne’s funeral will be held are yet to be announced but plans surrounding his final send-off have been revealed, reports the Mirror.
Geoff Payne, devastated by his son’s untimely passing, immediately flew to Argentina and stayed until his son’s remains were authorised for repatriation. The heartbreaking journey ended at London Heathrow at 7:49 am on Thursday, with vast numbers of fans tracking every moment of the flight.
The number of people tracking the aircraft online skyrocketed, turning it into the world’s most followed flight.
Grief-stricken supporters have begun their vigils at St.Peter’s Collegiate Church in the heart of Wolverhampton, placing blossoms and poignant handwritten messages near the statue of Lady Wulfrun.
While specifics are yet to be disclosed, rumours suggest that Liam’s funeral is planned to take place in his hometown of Wolverhampton sometime this week. The farewell ceremony for the singer is slated to occur at either St.Peters Church or St Pauls Church in Pendeford, which lies nearer to where Liam grew up.
A source confided to Mail Online: “Liam will have a very big send-off, quite probably at a large cathedral somewhere close to his heart. Liam was so loved by so many people, there will obviously be enormous demand and so the service will necessarily be a huge affair.”
Calls spread across social networks beseeching fans to honour the bereaved family’s wish for privacy and refrain from attending the burial ceremonies. It’s thought that the funeral proceedings will be intimate, offering his nearest and dearest time for solemn mourning.
A widely shared TikTok features one supporter appealing to the fandom with the words: “Your friendly reminder that if you’re thinking of going to Liam Payne’s funeral to look at One Direction members-don’t!”
In a heartfelt plea, she urged: “I’m begging you all to remember Liam Payne was a human and his family and friends are going through a hard enough time without having to cater to the public,” adding poignantly in her caption, “They deserve to say goodbye to him with grace.”
A source confided to Radar Online that the ceremony will feature a “series of song tributes from some very big acts”, honouring his passion for music. It’s understood that his family is keen to infuse the service with a unique musical tribute.
While the late singer’s fans have been respectfully excluded from the funeral proceedings, it is anticipated that thousands will gather along the streets of Wolverhampton to pay their respects as the hearse makes its journey through the city. In the wake of the devastating news, the singer’s admirers have initiated a petition on Change.org, demanding legislative action to ensure the mental well-being of entertainers.
The campaign, launched by a devoted fan of the departed father, has garnered the support of over 135,000 signatories, calling for the enactment of “Liam’s Law”. This proposed legislation would mandate regular mental health assessments, sufficient rest intervals, and the availability of mental health experts on-set, alongside continuous support throughout their careers.
Liam’s One Direction comrades, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik are anticipated to be present at Liam’s funeral this week. A plethora of other well-known figures are believed to be joining the band and Liam’s bereaved family and friends as they bid farewell to the father-of-one.
Kate Cassidy, who was Liam’s girlfriend when he passed away, is also expected to be in attendance. Cheryl Cole mother to Liam’s seven year old son Bear Payne, is likely to be another mourner at the private family funeral.
The 41-year-old Girls Aloud singer faces a heart-wrenching decision about whether to bring her young son to his father’s funeral.
Famous friends of Liam, including James Corden, Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, Dermot O’Leary and Rita Ora – who honoured her late collaborator at the MTV EMAs over the weekend – are believed to have had close relationships with Liam and are therefore likely to be invited.
