Gathering at Southport Funeral to honour Alice.
Parents expressed grief and wondered if their daughter “called for us” in her final moments during her funeral. On July 29, a day after the Taylor Swift-themed dancing session attack on children, Alice died in the hospital. Nine girls and two adults were killed or injured in the assault, including Elsie Dot Stancombe and Bebe King.
In a poignant gesture, Alice’s loved ones released the last snapshot taken of her before she passed away. The image shows her smiling beside a life-size cardboard replica of the pop sensation at Hart Street Studios. Additionally, many of the 300 people gathered near the church clutched balloons and released bubbles before the cortege arrived, sparking cheers.
Moreover, lampposts and garden walls were adorned with pink ribbons and balloons in her memory. Alice’s parents, Sergio and Alexandra, along with numerous family members and friends, attended the service at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. As the service was broadcast through speakers, a large number of mourners listened outside the full church.
Furthermore, the family’s emergency services were housed in one section of the church, while another section was reserved for other families impacted by the attacks, as well as acquaintances, classmates, and relatives. According to the BBC, family members in Portugal were able to watch the service via video link.
When reading the eulogy that Mr. and Mrs. Aguiar had prepared, Alice’s uncle, Richard Lira, fought back tears. They called their daughter a “perfect dream child” who “moved our world” with her confidence and love of animals. Mr. Lira added that she was “playful, energetic, friendly, and always so respectful.”
Anecdotes from Alice’s life were shared at the funeral, including how she was “born and raised into love” and how she loved spending time in her parents’ bedroom with popcorn and a good book.
After Alice’s transformation from a “princess to a pre-teen,” Mr. Lira mentioned that she began caring more about her skincare and cosmetics routine. Furthermore, they discussed potential high schools, reminisced about childhood memories, envisioned a dream home with a garden, and even considered the possibility of having children—children they would, unfortunately, never be able to assist you in raising. Moreover, the thought of missing out on seeing you mature truly aches.
“Seen things no human should” was the story that Alice’s mum told during the ceremony.
“We wonder if you ever thought of us, called for us, or felt any pain,” they said.
“We hope not my darling.”
It was suggested they would “never get over this pain” but “get all the answers” about what happened.
The Aguiars expressed their appreciation to the “wonderful community” that has helped them during their journey.
Finally, Mr. Lira read: “Our beloved angel, for the time being, continue dancing. Mummy and Daddy will always, always love you.”
Churchtown Primary School head teacher Jinnie Payne, who is Alice’s teacher, also spoke at the service.
A “curious girl” who “never forgot the details,” she said of Alice.
The news that one of her teachers had named her infant Alice seemed to hit her mother hard, according to Ms. Payne.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, approximately thirty uniformed police officers, and ambulance and fire service personnel paid their respects.
The parents of Alice previously paid tribute to their daughter, saying, “Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess, as we said before to you, you’re always our princess and no one would change that.”
As is usual in Portugal a week after a death, her relatives attended her memorial service on Tuesday.
A “wonderfully happy girl” who brought “joy to her mum and dad” was Father John Heneghan’s lasting recollection of Alice, according to an interview he gave to BBC Radio Merseyside at a prior burial.
He stated that locals were “very bruised” and “horrified” that the stabbings had incited violence across the UK.
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