Brave five-year-old who touched the hearts of people across the world when she 'married' her best friend is laid to rest with a funeral fit for a princess

  • Eileidh Paterson, of Moray, had debilitating childhood cancer neuroblastoma
  • She made a bucket list and ranked marrying her best friend Harrison at the top 
  • Hundreds of people at her funeral yesterday with many in superhero costumes
  • Eileidh's family wanted service to reflect personality by being 'fit for a princess'

A brave five-year-old who touched the hearts of people across the world when she 'married' her best friend has been laid to rest with a funeral fit for a princess

Eileidh Paterson, of Forres, Moray, who had the debilitating childhood cancer neuroblastoma, made a bucket list after being told her condition was terminal.

The girl ranked marrying her friend Harrison Grier, six, at the top of the list and they were declared 'best friends forever' at an emotional ceremony last month.

A pink coffin carrying the body of five-year-old Eileidh Paterson was brought by a horse-drawn carriage to Aberdeen Crematorium in the Hazlehead area of the city for her funeral yesterday

A pink coffin carrying the body of five-year-old Eileidh Paterson was brought by a horse-drawn carriage to Aberdeen Crematorium in the Hazlehead area of the city for her funeral yesterday

Hundreds of people attended the girl's funeral in Aberdeen with many dressing in superhero costumes or bright pink dresses in her honour

Hundreds of people attended the girl's funeral in Aberdeen with many dressing in superhero costumes or bright pink dresses in her honour

The cortege was led by a cavalcade of about 30 motorcycles, with a pink lorry emblazoned with images of popular children’s characters following close behind

The cortege was led by a cavalcade of about 30 motorcycles, with a pink lorry emblazoned with images of popular children's characters following close behind

A pink lorry from Jim Jamieson Quarries that took part in the funeral of five-year-old Eileidh

A pink lorry from Jim Jamieson Quarries that took part in the funeral of five-year-old Eileidh

But yesterday afternoon, hundreds of people attended the girl's funeral with many dressing in superhero costumes or bright pink dresses in her honour.

Eileidh's family wanted the service to reflect her personality by being 'fit for a princess', and her pink coffin was brought by a horse-drawn carriage.

The cortege was led by a cavalcade of about 30 motorcycles, with a pink lorry emblazoned with images of popular children's characters following close behind.

Pop tunes blared from the truck, which had 'Eileidh' registration plates added for the occasion at Aberdeen Crematorium in the Hazlehead area of the city.

Celebrant Susan Newman said: 'While we think of Eileidh's passing with sadness, we should also be thankful for her life.

Eileidh Paterson ranked marrying her friend Harrison Grier, six, at the top of her bucket list and they were declared “best friends forever” at an emotional ceremony last month

Eileidh Paterson ranked marrying her friend Harrison Grier, six, at the top of her bucket list and they were declared 'best friends forever' at an emotional ceremony last month

Eileidh's family wanted the service to reflect her personality by being 'fit for a princess', and her pink coffin was brought by a horse-drawn carriage

Eileidh's family wanted the service to reflect her personality by being 'fit for a princess', and her pink coffin was brought by a horse-drawn carriage

Tributes from nurses at the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, which described Eileidh as 'very bossy but always in a good way', were read out at the ceremony

Tributes from nurses at the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, which described Eileidh as 'very bossy but always in a good way', were read out at the ceremony

The girl's name was printed on the side of the pink lorry which arrived at the crematorium

The girl's name was printed on the side of the pink lorry which arrived at the crematorium

'Throughout her illness, she showed great strength and determination, and continued to smile.'

Tributes from nurses at the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, which described Eileidh as 'very bossy but always in a good way', were read out at the ceremony.

Another message from the Clic Sargent cancer charity said the girl was 'full of fun'.

A song from Australian musician Amelie Bottrill, inspired by Eileidh's courage in the face of illness, was played as scenes from her life were shown on a projector screen.

Eileidh's sister, Cerys, 13, read out a poem which featured the lines 'we're sisters for life'.

As the ceremony concluded, a song from one of Eileidh's favourite films - Let it Go from the 2013 Disney movie Frozen - was played out to mourners.

Eileidh's sister, Cerys, read out a poem which featured the lines 'we're sisters for life'

Eileidh's sister, Cerys, read out a poem which featured the lines 'we're sisters for life'

A song from Australian musician Amelie Bottrill, inspired by Eileidh's courage in the face of illness, was played as scenes from her life were shown on a projector screen

A song from Australian musician Amelie Bottrill, inspired by Eileidh's courage in the face of illness, was played as scenes from her life were shown on a projector screen

Following the funeral, 'a princess party', led by the same princesses who made her 'wedding' so special, was held for her young friends.

Harrison did not attend the funeral service at Aberdeen Crematorium and instead joined around 30 other children at the nearby Hilton Treetops Hotel.

They were soon joined by more than 200 people who paid their respects at the funeral service to have a 'princess party' in Eileidh's honour.

Zara Grant, 32, the managing director of children's entertainment company Love Rara, organised the funeral in just a matter of days.

She said: 'When Eileidh's mum came to me she wanted to recreate much of the beautiful wedding that we had held only a few weeks beforehand. 

In the days following her death, Eileidh's heartbroken mother Gail (pictured together) wrote on a fundraising Facebook page that losing her had been the toughest time of their life

In the days following her death, Eileidh's heartbroken mother Gail (pictured together) wrote on a fundraising Facebook page that losing her had been the toughest time of their life

Eileidh 'married' Harrison at a ceremony at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre

Eileidh 'married' Harrison at a ceremony at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre

'We managed to replicate much of it and even had a horse-drawn carriage bring her in. She was a character. She knew what she wanted and was very cheeky, bubbly and vibrant.

'I was lucky to be there for the good times. I will never forget the look of joy on her face when she was getting married to Harrison.

'I felt it was best that the young children were kept away from the funeral service and I'd arranged a babysitting service at the Hilton. It's hard to say goodbye after such a short amount of time.'

Ms Newman said that the ceremony was 'fit for a princess.' She said: 'It was a beautiful funeral. It was a very emotional day with a lot of tears but also a lot of laughs too.

'It was absolutely amazing to see so many people dress up as princesses and superheroes for the day and it was a real privilege for me to be the celebrant for them.

Eileidh made a bucket list after being told her condition was terminal - and the funeral was top

Eileidh made a bucket list after being told her condition was terminal - and the funeral was top

Five-year-old Eileidh died earlier this month after battling neuroblastoma for three years

Five-year-old Eileidh died earlier this month after battling neuroblastoma for three years

'Her coffin was brought in by a horse-drawn carriage and she always wanted to be a princess. She definitely got a princess send-off. It was an occasion fit for a princess.

'There were so many lovely messages from people who met her - in fact, there was too many to read out on the day.' 

Eileidh died on July 1 after battling neuroblastoma for three years.

In the days following her death, her heartbroken mother Gail, 41, wrote on a fundraising Facebook page that losing her had been the toughest time of their life.

She said: 'These past few days have been the hardest of our lives. Losing Eileidh so suddenly has left a huge hole that cannot be filled.

'A few weeks ago we were planning her wedding and now we're planning her celebration of life.'

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