FAREWELL, JAY
Jay Slater’s mum Debbie weeps as she leads family behind coffin in memory of ‘forever young’ teen who died in Tenerife
Watch touching footage above as Jay's family say goodbye to the beloved teen
JAY Slater’s life was today remembered through both tears and laughter as hundreds gathered for the tragic teen’s funeral.
The 19-year-old's body was found 29 days after he fell to his death in a mountainous region of Tenerife on June 17.
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It was standing room only inside Accrington Crematorium, Lancs, while hundreds of mourners gathered in the drizzle outside to watch the service on a specially erected screen.
At the wishes of his family, most wore the colour blue - his favourite colour.
Jay’s blue coffin, which had his name embossed on the side, arrived in a horse-drawn carriage shortly before 10.20am.
His grief-stricken mother Debbie Duncan, 55, wept as the casket was carried inside to the sound of Becky Hill’s Forever Young.
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And she led the family as they followed Jay for his final goodbye at his burial.
It came as Jay's family launched a new fundraiser earlier this week to raise money for LBT Global, the charity focused on missing people that helped support them through their heartache.
Jay's work colleagues from PH Build Group, where he was an apprentice bricklayer - a job he loved - wore T-shirts with 'Forever 19' on the front
Tears were shed as beloved memories of Jay, from Oswaldtwistle, were recounted, while mourners shared laughs as clips of the teenager dancing were played.
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In a nod to Jay’s love of raving, the videos were set to the popular dance track Party All the Time.
Funeral director Sarah Barton, who officiated the service, told the congregation how “Jay touched the lives of so many people”.
She also read out moving eulogies from three of Jay’s closest friends, including schoolmate James Curry who described the party-loving teen as “like a brother”.
Jay Slater’s family announces new fundraiser ahead of funeral
He added: “Jay was one of a kind. He lit up any room with that goofy smile of his.”
The fitting poem Train of Life was read to the congregation, and those inside were invited to take a candle home to light in Jay’s memory.
As the emotional service drew to a close, Wings but Birdy played out as Jay’s devastated brother Zak, 24, helped carry the coffin out of the chapel.
He, heartbroken mum Debbie and dad Warren, 58, wiped away tears as they then followed the coffin on foot for its final journey to the grave for a private burial.
Close friend Brad Hargreaves, who was on holiday with Jay when he first went missing, was seen standing behind them holding back tears.
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ANALYSIS: Tears and laughter - a beautiful end fo Jay's tragic story
By Katie Davis
IT was an emotional end to an extremely tragic story today as Jay Slater was laid to rest.
Jay’s brave family did him proud as they put on a beautiful send-off for the 19-year-old.
Despite the rainy weather, hundreds of Jay’s loved ones gathered at Accrington Crematorium to say farewell to the beloved teen.
His heartbreaking disappearance captured the attention of millions around the world.
Both young and old followed updates every step of the way, and it was devastating when Jay’s body was found 29 days after he disappeared in Tenerife.
But it brought much-needed closure for his courageous mum Debbie, dad Warren and brother Zak who were forced to endure the cruel hounding of online trolls.
Debbie promised to give Jay the send-off he deserved, and I am sure everyone who attended would agree she did just that.
It was exceptionally moving to today stand outside the chapel in the sea of blue outfits, ribbons and flowers as his family and friends said goodbye.
Though many tears were shed, it was heartwarming to hear guests laugh as they watched videos of Jay dancing.
As his closest family and friends have said, Jay always had a smile on his face – and that’s how they want to remember him.
Crowds were asked not to bring bouquets, but were welcome to "bring a single rose to place with Jay".
Outside the chapel was a sea of blue, Jay’s favourite colour, with many clutching blue flowers and wearing blue wristbands and ribbons. Blue flares were even set off in Jay’s memory.
Guests were handed touching small flyers outside the crematorium memorialising Jay.
The front showed a picture of the teen smiling with the words: "Remembering with love Jay Dean Slater. Always in our hearts. #forever19."
On the back, a moving quote reads: "If there was anyone dancing on the way to the other side it was him."
The cost of Jay's funeral was largely covered by donations to a GoFundMe page set up by Jay's friend Lucy Mae Law after he vanished.
Well-wishers raised more than £70,000 to support the teen's family.
Tragic Jay vanished on the morning of June 17 while on holiday on the Canary Island with two friends, Lucy and Brad.
He had travelled to an Airbnb in the remote Masca village with two men after leaving a music festival at a nightclub almost an hour's drive away.
Later that morning he called Lucy to say he was thirsty, lost and almost had one per cent phone battery.
Jay Slater's touching obituary
REMEMBERING with love Jay Dean Slater, of Fountains Way, Oswaldtwistle, who passed away unexpectedly on Monday 17th June 2024, whilst on holiday in Tenerife, aged 19 years.
After Jay left Rhyddings High School he went on to become an apprentice bricklayer with the PH Build group, a job he greatly enjoyed.
At the young age of 5 Jay started playing football for Huncoat United FC until the age of 17 and also did a few seasons with the Sunday team at St Joesph's too.
He also loved spending time chilling out with his friends.
Jay's love of music and dance started at a very young age. He loved attending music festivals and events across the country and also loved to socialise and meet new people.
A loving son of Debbie and Warren, a cherished brother of Zak and brother-in-law of Jessica, a treasured grandson of Dawn, June and the late Dougie, a much-loved nephew of Glen and Katie, a dear cousin of Maddie and Tillie and a loyal friend to many. Jay will be very sadly missed by all those who knew him.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10.30am on Saturday 10th August 2024, at Accrington Cemetery Chapel prior to interment.
Those attending are invited to wear something blue in his memory.
Family flowers only please, but if anyone would like to bring a single rose to place with Jay, they are more than welcome.
His mobile cut out at 8.50am near a hiking trail in the Rural de Teno national park — an 11-hour trek from his apartment in the south of the island.
Police spent almost two weeks combing the vast area with drones, helicopters and sniffer dogs before turning to a private search.
Jay's desperate dad Warren, 58, and brother Zak, 24, also kept up the hunt - retracing Jay's steps almost every day in the blistering heat.
The family were hounded by vile trolls and conspiracy theorists, who relentlessly peddled baseless claims online.
After 29 days, Jay's body was found on July 15 deep in a ravine close to where his phone last pinged a phone tower.
Dramatic images showed the moment a helicopter crewman was winched into the chasm with his arms aloft in the delicate recovery operation.
A post mortem conducted in the UK confirmed that Jay died because of traumatic head injuries, consistent with a "fall from height".
The coroner's report said his death would have been instant.
In an emotional tribute, Jay's family described the football-mad apprentice bricklayer as a "loving son".
It read: "At the young age of five Jay started playing football for Huncoat United FC until the age of 17 and also did a few seasons with the Sunday team at St Joesph's too.
"He also loved spending time chilling out with his friends.
"Jay's love of music and dance started at a very young age.
"He loved attending music festivals and events across the country and also loved to socialise and meet new people.
"Jay will be very sadly missed by all those who knew him."
Ex-cop turned journalist Mark Williams-Thomas, who helped investigate Jay's disappearance, also paid tribute ahead of the service.
He said: "My thoughts are especially today with Jay Slaters family and friend .
"He was a young lad enjoying life and as many young people do taking risks , but having fun .
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"His family and friends have certainly shown how much he was loved by them and he will I am sure always be in their hearts and thoughts watching over them."
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