The date of Jay Slater’s funeral has been confirmed after his body arrived home last week after a month-long search.
His family used some of the more than £74,000 raised through GoFundMe to fly him back from Tenerife where he died on June 17.
Jay, a 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, had travelled there with friends for a three-day rave before he vanished.
An autopsy concluded he died, likely instantly, from traumatic head injuries after falling from a height in a ravine.
With his family finally able to grieve, they have asked well-wishers to wear blue in his memory during his funeral, described as a ‘celebration of life’, at Accrington Crematorium on August 10.
Neighbours had tied blue ribbons to railings as a show of support when Jay first disappeared.
His friends and family then released blue balloons into the air when his body was found a month later.
‘Flowers only please’, the family requested, ‘but if anyone would like to bring a single rose to place with Jay, they are more than welcome – no bouquets’.
Instead of flowers, Jay’s family has asked people to donate to LBT Global, a missing persons charity that supported them throughout the search for Jay.
Remembering Jay’s life, the family said: ‘After Jay left Rhyddings High School he went on to become an apprentice bricklayer with the PH Build group, a job he greatly enjoyed.
‘At the young age of 5 Jay started playing football for Huncoat United FC until the age of 17 and also did a few seasons with the Sunday team at St Joesph’s too.
‘He also loved spending time chilling out with his friends.
‘Jay’s love of music and dance started at a very young age. He loved attending music festivals and events across the country and also loved to socialise and meet new people.
‘A loving son of Debbie and Warren, a cherished brother of Zak and brother in law of Jessica, a treasured grandson of Dawn, June and the late Dougie, a much loved nephew of Glen and Katie, a dear cousin of Maddie and Tillie and a loyal friend to many. Jay will be very sadly missed by all those who knew him.’
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