The lonely goodbye: Heartbroken family of terminally-ill teen, 18, who brought a smile to Prince Harry, can only invite 10 mourners to funeral and can’t touch her coffin during coronavirus crisis
- Holly Smallman was cremated yesterday and only 10 people allowed to attend
- The teenager suffered from cerebral palsy, epilepsy and chronic lung disease
- People across the UK dressed in pink to show their support for Holly’s family
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
The devastated mother and family of a terminally-ill teenager were not able to touch her coffin and could only invite 10 people to her funeral because of the coronavirus.
Holly Smallman, 18, was cremated yesterday in Anfield, Liverpool, but new council regulations, enforced to try to stop the spread of coronavirus, meant that only 10 people were allowed to attend.
She was severely ill for the majority of her life and suffered from cerebral palsy, epilepsy and chronic lung disease. She needed 24-hour care.
Holly Smallman, 18, was cremated yesterday in Anfield, Liverpool, but new council regulations, enforced to try to stop the spread of coronavirus, meant that only 10 people were allowed to attend
Holly Smallman is pictured with her mother, Hayley, 42, father, Gary, 46, and sister Ruby, then eight
Hayley said: ‘I know we’ve got to get through but this was our last chance to say goodbye to our little girl, and it’s been taken away from us’
Prince Harry presented her younger sister, Ruby, with a Wellchild Award in 2015 and wrote her a letter of thanks for the loving way she cared for Holly.
Hundreds were due to attend Holly’s funeral but in a series of devastating blows, no funeral cars were used and chairs inside Anfield crematorium were placed a safe distance apart.
Mother Hayley, 42, told the Liverpool Echo: ‘Friday now feels sterile, like I’m dropping her off for her funeral and then going home.’
Prince Harry visited the hospice she was at in 2015 and even presented her younger sister, Ruby, with a Wellchild Award and wrote her a letter of thanks for the loving way she cared for Holly
Hundreds were due to attend Holly’s funeral but in a series of devastating blows, no funeral cars were used and chairs inside Anfield crematorium were placed a safe distance apart
Across Britain hundreds of well-wishers dressed in pink to show their support, in accordance with Hayley’s wishes
Hayley attended alongside her husband Gary, 46, their children, Ruby, 12, and Josh, 21, and her grandparents and aunt Rachel.
Haylely added: ‘I know we’ve got to get through but this was our last chance to say goodbye to our little girl, and it’s been taken away from us.’
Across Britain hundreds of well-wishers dressed in pink to show their support, in accordance with Hayley’s wishes.
Plans have been discussed to have a big celebration later in the year, hopefully once Covid-19 has passed, to share memories of the much-loved teenager and her short life.