Dame Deborah James' heartbroken son Hugo, who is just 14 years old, helped carry his mother's wicker casket into St Mary's Church, Barnes, today as the family laid her to rest.
The 40-year-old 'Bowelbabe' passed away on June 28, following a five-year fight with bowel cancer. And the sun shone down upon the church, as Deborah's devastated husband Sebastien led the procession - alongside their two children Hugo and Eloise, 12, while a Rolls-Royce bearing the cancer activist's body made way to the chapel.
The Mirror reports that just after 1pm, Deborah’s son, Hugo, joined his father and two other family members to help carry the coffin into St Mary's. With his head bowed, he only wobbled a little, his feet finding their footing for a moment, before he led the way inside the church to say a final goodbye.
Read more: Dame Deborah James' funeral today, as family say goodbye to inspirational Bowel Babe
Lorraine Kelly was among the earlier arrivals to the procession, having worked closely with the courageous star to help raise awareness for bowel cancer on her morning TV show. Dressed in black, the ITV veteran clutched her phone as she walked into the service.
Other familiar faces who turned up to pay their respects were Tom and Giovanna Fletcher, Gaby Roslin, Oliver Peyton and Natalie Rushdie. Mourners could be seen carrying wreaths of stunning white flowers into the ceremony, draped with heartfelt messages and the lyrics to the Blood Brothers' Tell Me It's Not True - which Deborah picked herself personally.
The family used a picture of Deborah dancing in the sunset while on holiday for the front of the order of service - while Deborah's brother, Ben, took to Instagram prior to pay tribute to his late sister. The two said a heart-wrenching goodbye to one another before Deborah's passing, with Ben jetting off to the United States at her insistence.
Sharing a selection of touching videos and photos, he wrote: "Big sis, Debs. Thank you for teaching me how to live life to the full since the day I was born - you made me find that life worth enjoying! Saying bye is never going to be easy, but knowing you achieved more than any of us could ever dream of…and so, so much more…makes it that little bit more bearable.
"Your legacy will go on forever and we’ll do our very best to make you proud. Take it easy up there. Here’s to you x." Dame Deborah organised her own funeral in her final days, ultimately wishing that her loved ones would share memories of her with her two children. She also expressed her hopes of having her children read poems to the congregation if they were able to.
She previously told The Times: "It sounds morbid, but I want a sombre funeral in black and white because I think people look good in black and white. There’s a big church in Barnes and I’ll leave Seb to decide on the reception, as long as there is tequila. I’m thinking of asking people to bring a picture or a funny anecdote, so my family have something to remember.
"Otherwise, how can my children collect memories from people in my life they don’t know? At 12 and 14 I hope they will remember me, but [they are] still very young, so my image will fade and they will have to rely on videos or photos."
She also planned to have ashes scattered at the cemetery adjacent, so she wouldn't be 'lonely'.
Close friends and family were invited to and attended the privately held service in memory of Deborah, who touched so many lives through her selfless efforts and endeavours. The ex-deputy headteacher was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 - subsequently sharing candid posts about her progress and diagnosis, as she danced her way through treatment.
She had 17 tumours removed, underwent numerous difficult chemotherapy cycles and developed sepsis earlier this year - leading doctors to fear she may not survive the night. After long outliving her initial prognosis, the Dame revealed in early May that she had actively stopped treatment and was receiving end of life care at her parents' home in Woking.
But she lived her final weeks in true style and fashion, determined to 'live whilst dying' with 'Rebellious Hope' - despite feeling 'knackered'. She appeared at Glyndebourne opera house, enjoyed an after hours trip to the Chelsea Flower Show, and attended Royal Ascot in her final weeks - living life to the fullest while raising awareness for bowel cancer.
And days after her final prognosis, Prince William visited her at her parents' home to dub her a Dame, while enjoying tea and champagne with the Bowelbabe. "It’s quite surreal having a royal pop in at home," she said.
She went on to continue her work in campaigning, announcing that the profits of her In The Style new clothing line and royalties from her new book would go towards her Bowelbabe fund with Cancer Research UK. Following the announcement of her death, thousands of donations poured in, with many writing an accompanying message of how she had inspired them, until it broke the £7 million landmark.
Her legacy continues as more than 23,000 Brits have approached the NHS for bowel cancer information.
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