Jay Slater’s funeral held to the sound of drum and bass

Around 500 mourners wearing blue, the 19-year-old’s favourite colour, crammed into chapel at Accrington Cemetery

Jay Slater’s family and friends attended his funeral on Saturday, with the ceremony taking place to the sound of drum and bass.
As many as 500 mourners wearing blue, the 19-year-old’s favourite colour, crammed into the chapel at Accrington Cemetery.
Mr Slater died after attending a music festival on holiday in Tenerife in June. His body was found in a remote area a month later after authorities had failed to find him in extensive searches.
Mourners, including some wearing T-shirts emblazoned with “Forever 19”, stood in drizzle outside to watch the proceedings, which were broadcast on a specially erected big screen outside.
As the teenager’s blue coffin arrived by horse-drawn carriage outside the chapel, car horns beeped as passing drivers paid their respects and blue flares were lit on Burnley Road.
There were hugs for Mr Slater’s family as tears flowed outside the chapel, while a version of Forever Young played inside.
The service heard that the apprentice bricklayer, who grew up in nearby Oswaldtwistle, was the life of the party. “Whenever you were round him, you’d just be buzzing and smiling. There’d be no bad vibes,” one friend recalled.
Another remembered how Mr Slater “used to light up any room, no matter where he was”, saying: “Keep partying hard up there. I will do you proud, my mate.”
Laughter erupted inside the chapel as videos of Mr Slater dancing were shown. The service heard how the teenager “worked hard and played hard”, attending music festivals “as soon as he was old enough”.
Sarah Barton, the funeral director who officiated the service, said Mr Slater had “lived life” and was lucky to have been surrounded by a loving family and loyal friends.
“On behalf of the family I would like to thank all those who have sent heartfelt messages and cards to them to help them get through this incredibly hard and sad time,” she added.
“I would also like to thank all those who have helped bring Jay safely back to us, family, friends, the kind offers from people in Tenerife, the police here back home and all of you for coming here today to show your love and care.”
The teenager went missing on June 17 after attending the NRG Music Festival with two friends. Searches by the authorities and his family, who set up a GoFundMe page, found no trace of him.
On July 15, human remains were found by the Spanish Guardia Civil that were later confirmed to be those of Mr Slater.
A post-mortem examination found the teenager had died on June 17 of traumatic head injuries, consistent with a fall from height. Spanish authorities said his death would have been instantaneous.