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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Charlotte Hadfield

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

Olivia Pratt-Korbel was taken to her final resting place in a horse-drawn carriage following the nine-year-old's funeral.

Amazing Grace was sung as Olivia's funeral came to a close at St Margaret Mary's Catholic Church in Knotty Ash on Thursday. Olivia's friends and family, including her mum Cheryl Korbel, gathered outside of the church to watch the moment her coffin was put into the back of a horse drawn carriage.

In an emotional video after the service, Cheryl could be seen wiping away the tears as she clutched a pink teddy bear to her chest. Hundreds of people lined the streets to watch as the carriage left the church to a round of applause from the crowds.

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

Olivia's teachers were among those who took part in the applause as the funeral cortège passed the school. Mourners wore pink ties and jackets, while others carried pink flowers after the family asked people to wear a splash of pink in Olivia's memory.

The family have now made their way from the church to a private burial and wake.

Cheryl Korbel walking behind her daughter Olivia's coffin as it's carried out of the church (Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

Olivia's mum Cheryl paid tribute to her "bubbly" daughter who "had her own mind" in a heartbreaking eulogy at the funeral service.

Cheryl 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."

Teachers from St Margaret Mary's Catholic Junior School applaud as the cortege of Olivia Pratt-Korbel passes by her school after the funeral (Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

In his homily, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon said "it is to Olivia's friends that we turn for a glimmer of hope" in the darkness of her death.

Archbishop Malcolm said: "The loss of a child is a parent’s worst nightmare – nothing can compare with the sense of desolation and the depths of grief which you experience, and little can be done to alleviate the pain which you as a family must feel, which is shared by neighbours, friends and the school and parish community of St Margaret Mary’s – and indeed all the good people of Liverpool.

"So, I am aware of how empty words can seem on an occasion like this but I do want to express my deepest condolences and sympathy to Olivia’s mother, father, brother and sister. The words I offer you are also words of consolation and hope.

"One thing I’ve noticed in the past is that when a young person dies the light in our darkness comes from children. It is to Olivia’s friends that we turn for a glimmer of hope. Isn’t it heartening to hear from Mrs Wilkinson, Olivia’s headteacher, that the children are not afraid to mention her name.

"They feel sad too, but they want to talk about her, and it is in mentioning her name that she will continue to live in their hearts and memories. We must follow that example. As we continually remember her by name we put back together the broken pieces of our lives – broken by this sudden intrusion into a family living in peace."

READ NEXT:

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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