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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Charlotte Hadfield

Olivia Pratt-Korbel's sister gives funeral reading over 'life and death'

Olivia Pratt-Korbel's sister gave a reading about "life and death" during her funeral service.

Olivia's funeral was held at St Margaret Mary's Catholic Church in Knotty Ash today, as hundreds of people dressed in pink turned out to pay their respects to the schoolgirl. The service started with a eulogy read out by Olivia's mum Cheryl Korbel, 46, who said she will "never say goodbye" to her daughter.

The second reading during the hour-long service was read out by Olivia's sister Chloe, from the letter of St Paul to the Romans.

READ MORE: Olivia Pratt-Korbel's coffin taken on final journey as Amazing Grace is sung

Chloe read: "The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord."

Olivia's sister Chloe gave a reading during the funeral service at St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

A eulogy from Olivia's dad John Francis Pratt was also read out by parish priest Father Roy Cooper. He described "our very own little diva" and said Olivia was kind, caring and helpful.

In her eulogy, Cheryl Korbel said: "Liv touched so many people's hearts and was loved and adored by everyone. She will never be forgotten. I will never say goodbye but what I will say is goodnight, love you, see you in the morning."

Olivia Pratt-Korbel's coffin leaves St Margaret Mary's Church in Knotty Ash (PA)

In a homily, Archbishop of Liverpool Malcolm McMahon said Olivia was a "gift to her family and all who knew her".

He said: "In St Paul's words, let us comfort one another with words of faith - faith in each other, faith in God and faith in the belief that Olivia's untimely death will lead to a community here in Liverpool without violence, that it will become a place of peace and justice."

An emotional video taken after the service showed Olivia's coffin being put into the back of a horse-drawn carriage as mourners sang Amazing Grace in the background. Mum Cheryl carried a pink teddy into the service and held it to her chest as her daughter's coffin was taken on its final journey to a private burial.

Nine-year-old Olivia died after being shot in the chest at her home on Kingsheath Avenue, Dovecot, on Monday, August 22. The founder of charity Crimestoppers, Lord Ashcroft, has offered a £50,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for her death.

READ NEXT:

Olivia Pratt-Korbel's funeral service as murdered nine-year-old laid to rest

Olivia Pratt-Korbel's mum vows to 'never say goodbye' to daughter in eulogy

Olivia Pratt-Korbel's mum holds pink teddy as mourners line street for funeral

Ava White Foundation sends message of support on day of Olivia Pratt-Korbel's funeral

Pupils post heartbreaking tribute to Olivia Pratt-Korbel on school windows

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