Funeral Of Philpott Children

Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of six children who died after a fire at their home in Derby.

The coffins of Duwayne, Jade, John, Jack, Jesse and Jayden Philpott were carried into St Mary's Catholic church this morning by family members and friends.

In a service that lasted an hour and a half, tributes to the children's kindness, loyalty, and caring nature were read out by the priest and teachers from the children's school.

Tributes were paid to the children during the service by those who knew the children well.

The tributes were written by family members but read out by staff members from the schools attended by the children.

Prayers were said for the children and for the fire service.

We pray for all those women and men who work in our emergency services, especially those of the fire service who risk their lives in the service of others.

Lord give them the courage and strength to carry out their duties in the knowledge that they are all in our thoughts and prayers.

A poem read out during the service called Angels on High included the lines:

And when you have a moment, just close your eyes, for they are all only a breath away, in heaven there are no goodbyes.

Duwayne, Jade, John, Jack, Jesse and Jayden, in the arms of angels fly away.

A poem read out during the service called Angels on High included the words: "And when you have a moment, just close your eyes, for they are all only a breath away, in heaven there are no goodbyes.

"Duwayne, Jade, John, Jack, Jesse and Jayden, in the arms of angels fly away."

"We pray for all those women and men who work in our emergency services, especially those of the fire service who risk their lives in the service of others.

"Lord give them the courage and strength to carry out their duties in the knowledge that they are all in our thoughts and prayers."

A horse with pink feathers carrying the coffin of 10-year-old Jade led the cortege.

It was followed by five more hearses each with blue feathers carrying the bodies of John, aged 9, Jack, aged 8 Jessie, 6, Jayden, 5 and Duwayne, 13.

Each coffin bore the name of each child. Family members and friends threw flowers as they arrived at St Mary's Catholic Church. It was packed with hundreds of mourners.