Because we opted to have Liam's remains cremated, we did not have a funeral. He was cremated on the Wednesday (8 days after his death, due to the 2 autopsies) and we only had the memorial the next Sunday, 31 October 2021.

We rather waited so that we could have all the things he might have loved. We held it at our church's little chapel, with our friend and pastor, Hermann, leading the service. He was spot on in summarising Liam's life and what he meant to the world.

He also provided guidance how we could go forward by being steadfast in our faith. We had our eldest son's friends sing the two songs we felt really spoke to our feelings about God and Liam.

The Voortrekkers made two lines with two flames at the end that the family could walk in. That picture just made me cry uncontrollably.

My sister-in-law redesigned and reprinted a 100 pages of the Celebration of Life letter after the funeral home messed our design up a bit. She did it in a few hours.

My wonderful sister made the most beautiful slideshow with the most perfect songs about Liam's life: I lived by One Republic and Never Enough from the Greatest Showman. The slide show ended with the photo of Liam waving goodbye to us. We really then sobbed.

We organised communion for all who attended, whilst the musicians sang a prayer song. Once outside we had a huge cross up where you could write down your memories of Liam or thoughts about him. We still read those notes often. We have added the schools letters and our own memories and the suitcase is very full. My eldest has created a website for Liam with his life's CV on it and some of the notes, so we can never lose them.

We have created a little space in the house specially for Liam. It has his ashes, photo, angels, candles, marbles and a whole bunch of feathers. One of our friend's daughters also painted a beautiful portrait in loving memory of Liam. Every night we light a candle for Liam so we can remember that his flame has not gone out. His energy has just moved to heaven.

We had a small after tears ceremony with selected guests due to Covid protocols with a few platters and cooldrinks at our home.

Do not feel rushed to decide what you want the funeral or memorial to be like, unless it is due to religious beliefs. We rather waited with the memorial so we could accommodate as many people and elements into the memorial without feeling rushed. Create your ceremony or ritual around your likes and preferences. Rituals do mean the external expressions of the human's inner world!