Liam Payne’s ‘devastated’ son Bear, 7, leaves heartbreaking tribute at his dad’s funeral

Liam Payne has been bid a heartbreaking farewell as his family and friends gathered for his funeral after the former One Direction star’s tragic death on October 16 at the age of 31. He fell from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The send-off took place in Buckinghamshire on Wednesday, where loved ones congregated to pay their respects. His father, Geoff Payne, had travelled to Argentina and returned with his son’s body to the UK two weeks ago.

Liam’s ex-bandmates from One Direction – Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik – were all in attendance, alongside Cheryl Tweedy, with whom he shares a seven year old son named Bear. In relation to his untimely passing, which occurred after a balcony fall resulting in “serious injuries that were incompatible with life”, three individuals have been charged.

At the funeral, Zayn Malik reunited with his former One Direction colleagues, setting aside past conflicts. Having left the band in 2015, there have been murmurs about Malik’s intentions to reconcile with the group; however, today marked the first reunion since his departure, reports the Mirror.

But Zayn’s reunion with Niall Horan, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson came under circumstances none of them could have ever imagined. The four of them arrived in black suits, solemnly taking in the floral tributes prepared for Liam.

They were present at the ceremony alongside Liam’s loved ones, including friends, family, and celebrity acquaintances.

Bear’s heartbreaking tribute

A tear-jerking homage to Liam Payne was left by his only son Bear, leading to moving scenes at the singer’s funeral. Liam’s body was brought to the church in a white horse-drawn procession, with floral homages placed near his coffin.

One such tribute, from Liam’s seven-year-old son Bear, spelled out ‘Daddy’ in white roses, was prominently displayed beside the church graveyard during today’s service. Another poignant floral arrangement featuring red roses bore the word “son” from Liam’s parents.

Simon Cowell comforted by Liam’s parents.

Simon Cowell found solace in the arms of Liam Payne’s parents as he attended the late star’s funeral. Simon, the X Factor judge and creator who was instrumental in forming One Direction in 2010, was accompanied by his fiancée Lauren Silverman.

Outside the church, Simon received consolation from Liam’s father Geoff and mother Karen, both of whom embraced the music mogul in a heartfelt moment.

Meaning behind poignant displays

Liam’s family meticulously organised a heartfelt and fitting tribute for the singer’s funeral service. The arrangements at the Buckinghamshire church included personal touches that celebrated Liam’s life, such as a unique floral display at the entrance depicting bowling pins struck by a ball, crafted from fresh flowers—a nod to Liam’s well-known passion for bowling, which he enjoyed on his 31st birthday on 29th August with his loved ones.

Additionally, many cars arriving at the church sported Batman stickers, showcasing a black bat emblem against a white backdrop, paying homage to Liam’s documented fascination with the caped crusader, a character some fans believed he was “obsessed” with. In a poignant moment, Liam Payne’s coffin made its way to St Mary’s church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, in a white horse-drawn carriage adorned with floral tributes reading ‘Son’ in red blooms.

Atop the carriage, a blue and white floral arrangement spelt out ‘Daddy’, a tender reference to Liam’s son Bear, whom he shares with Cheryl.

As Liam’s coffin arrived at the church, a silence descended upon the gathered crowd. The coffin was transported in a horse-drawn hearse adorned with white roses and his name.

The air was thick with sorrow, punctuated only by quiet sobs as his loving family followed closely behind. Dressed in black, they clung to each other, their faces marked with grief but steadfast in their love for Liam.

The order of service for Liam Payne’s funeral revealed the star’s final act of kindness. Attendees were given booklets that encouraged donations to Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.

This gesture aligns with reports that Liam spent his last weeks contributing to fundraisers for sick children.

The booklet read: “Thank you for attending the service and thank you for all the kind messages received. Liam would like you to make a donation. In memory of Liam we’d like you to consider Great Ormond Street Hospital, ” alongside a link to the foundation’s page.

Louis Tomlinson was spotted clutching the order of service, taking a moment to himself to collect his thoughts after bidding farewell to his friend and former bandmate. Girlfriend Kate Cassidy offered her support.

Kate Cassidy was seen outside the church, dressed in mourning attire and shaded by sunglasses, with actor and model Damian Hurley by her side. She expressed her profound loss, saying she has “lost the best part of myself” after the singer’s passing.

In an emotional Instagram post a week after the tragedy, Kate shared: “I don’t even know where to begin. My heart is shattered in ways I can’t put into words. I wish you could see the huge impact you’ve had on the world, even as it feels so dark right now.”

“You brought so much happiness and positivity to everyone – millions of fans, your family, friends, and especially me. You are so incredibly loved. You are – because I can’t say were – my best friend, the love of my life, and everyone you touched felt just as special as I did. Your energy was contagious, lighting up every room you walked into.”

“None of this feels real, and I can’t wrap my head around this new reality of not having you here. I’m struggling to figure out how to live in a world without you by my side. Together, we got to be kids again, always finding joy in the smallest things. Liam, you had the kindest soul and the most fun-loving spirit. It feels like I’ve lost the best part of myself. I can’t imagine a day without your laughter and love. You brought so much light into my life.”