Ben Haslam
·4-min read
The funeral details for Bebe King, one of the three children killed in the mass stabbing in Southport, have been announced. The six-year-old was in attendance at a Taylor Swift dance class held at The Hart Space on Hart Street on Monday, July 29.
Sunday saw the first of the three children, Alice Da Silva Aguiar laid to rest, with a two-hour funeral service taking place at St Patrick's Catholic Church, with hundreds filling the church hall and lining Marshside Road. Massam and Marshal Independent Funeral Directors have now announced the details of the private service for the schoolgirl.
In a public Facebook post on Monday, August 12, the funeral directors said: "The family of Bebe have asked us to inform the community about the upcoming celebration of life for their beautiful daughter, which will take place at 11am on Saturday 17th August at St Cuthbert’s Church.
"As you will understand, Bebe’s family wish for the occasion to be a special and private opportunity for those who knew Bebe best to honour her life in the comfort of privacy and without intrusion. Any invited attendees are free to wear whatever they’re comfortable in but bright clothing is preferred. To this end, we politely ask that the area immediately surrounding St Cuthbert’s church be avoided for the morning of the funeral."
The family are welcoming people to come and pay their respects from Preston New Road, beginning from North Road, at 10.20am up to Cambridge Road, adjacent to Denmark Road, at around 10.45am, at which point it is asked the family are left in peace. Those who are not invited to the private service are asked to keep Bebe's family in mind and light a candle at 11am in memory of her.
The post continued: "Family flowers only please but donations in lieu of flowers are being gratefully received for the Snowdrop Bereavement Team at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital who have given the family such amazing support in this difficult time. All enquiries are to be made to David or Wendy at Massam and Marshall Independent Funeral Directors, 137-139 Manchester Road, Southport, PR9 9BD Telephone: 01704 549222 Email: David@massamandmarshall.co.uk. Donations for the family’s nominated charity may be passed into the Southport branch from Monday 12th- Friday 16th August should anyone wish to do so."
Bebe's parents, Ben and Lauren King, released a heartbreaking tribute to their daughter on Saturday where they revealed her sister saw the attack before escaping. The statement read: "On Monday, the 29th of July, our world was shattered by the loss of our precious daughter, Bebe. Along with two other beautiful souls, Elsie and Alice, she was taken from us in an unimaginable act of violence that has left our hearts broken beyond repair. Our beloved Bebe, only six years old, was full of joy, light, and love, and she will always remain in our hearts as the sweet, kind, and spirited girl we adore."
They continue to acknowledge the support the local community has offered in the two weeks since the attack, with a number of vigils taking place across Southport as well as thousands being raised for the families of those affected. The family also thanked the emergency service responders who attended the scene for their efforts.
The tribute continued: ""We want to acknowledge our older daughter, Genie, who witnessed the attack and managed to escape. She has shown such incredible strength and courage, and we are so proud of her. Her resilience is a testament to the love and bond she shared with her little sister, and we will continue to support her as we navigate this painful journey together as a family.
"Our thoughts are also with everyone else involved in this tragedy and all those who were injured. We hope that they find strength and healing in the days ahead. To the children who witnessed this terrible event, we send our love and hope that they too can begin to heal, surrounded by the care and support of those who love them."
It finished: "Our hearts are broken, but we find some comfort in knowing that Bebe was so deeply loved by all who knew her. She will forever be our shimmering star, and we will carry her with us in everything we do. With love and gratitude, Lauren, Ben, and Genie."
