Hundreds of people gathered at Accrington Cemetery and Crematorium to say farewell to Jay Slater on Saturday morning. Around 500 people were either inside the chapel or outside watching the celebration of life service for the 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle on a screen, as the town bid farewell. Flashes of blue could be seen across the cemetery as people wore clothing in that colour in Jay’s memory.
Jay, an apprentice bricklayer, died on June 17 while on holiday in Tenerife after falling in a steep rocky area following a night out, and his body was returned to the UK around two weeks ago. A post-mortem examination found he died of traumatic head injuries, consistent with a fall from height. A horse-drawn carriage carrying Jay’s blue coffin arrived outside the chapel at around 10.
20am this morning (August 10). The coffin, covered in flowers and displaying Jay’s name on the side, was then carried in and followed by his family, mum Debbie Duncan, dad Warren Slater, and brother Zach Slater. Hundreds remained outside, braving the pouring rain, and watched the service, led by Sarah Barton of Barton & Hallworth Funeral Service, on a screen outside the chapel.
Crowds gathered outside the chapel awaiting the cortege (Image: NQ) Ms Barton read tributes from three of Jay’s friends, who all described the fun times they had together, playing on the same football teams and being together at school. One of the friends, Joseph, said he and Jay played together at Huncoat United when th.