Liam Payne's funeral - what to expect as details of One Direction singer's final send off emerge

Liam Payne's body returned to England last week, and his funeral is anticipated to take place in the near future.

The former One Direction star, aged 31, met with tragedy last month after a balcony fall at his Buenos Aires hotel led to fatal injuries, prompting charges against three individuals.

Payne, catapulted to fame on The X Factor as a young talent, suffered "serious injuries that were incompatible with life". An ongoing investigation into his untimely death continues as three people are now under formal scrutiny as confirmed by authorities following the release of Liam's body to his distraught family last week.

His return flight became a poignant record-breaker, being tracked by millions of fans worldwide grieving for the beloved musician and father.

Details about Liam’s funeral venue are yet to be disclosed.

Geoff Payne, the bereaved father, flew to Argentina as soon as the sad news reached him and stayed until he could accompany his son back to England. He arrived at London Heathrow at 7:49 am on Thursday, with the touching vigil from countless fans tracking the flight, elevating it to an unprecedented status: 'the most-followed flight in history'.

As the community processes the loss, St. Peter's Collegiate Church in the heart of Wolverhampton has turned into a shrine for mourning, reports the Mirror.

Over recent days, floral tributes and personal messages have been laid by One Direction admirers at the foot of the Lady Wulfrun statue, creating a sea of remembrance and love.

Details about Liam's funeral remain confidential, but it is anticipated to take place in his hometown of Wolverhampton this week. The service for the singer is expected to be held at either St.Peter's or St Paul's Church in Pendeford, near where Liam grew up.

An insider told Mail Online: "Liam will have a very big send-off, quite probably at a large cathedral somewhere close to his heart. Liam was so loved by so many people, there will obviously be enormous demand and so the service will necessarily be a huge affair."

Regarding whether fans can attend Liam's funeral, social media users are calling for respect for the family's privacy and advising against public attendance. A widely shared TikTok features a fan stating: "Your friendly reminder that if you're thinking of going to Liam Payne's funeral to look at One Direction members-don't!"

In the caption, she implores: "I'm begging you all to remember Liam Payne was a human and his family and friends are going through a hard enough time without having to cater to the public," adding, "They deserve to say goodbye to him with grace."

Sources for Radar Online suggest the ceremony will include "series of song tributes from some very big acts" to honour his passion for music, with his family desiring to add a special musical touch to the proceedings.

While the late singer's fans are not invited to the funeral, it is anticipated that thousands will line the streets of Wolverhampton to pay their respects as the hearse makes its way through the city. In the wake of the devastating news, the singer's admirers have initiated a petition demanding legislation to protect the mental health of artists in the entertainment industry.

Launched on Change.org by a fan of the beloved father-of-one, the campaign seeks to "implore lawmakers to create legislation safeguarding the mental health of artists within the industry".

To date, the petition has garnered over 135,000 signatures, with supporters calling for the enactment of "Liam's Law", which would mandate "regular mental health check-ups, adequate rest periods and the presence of mental health professionals on-set, including any ongoing support during their career".

Who will be present at Liam Payne's funeral?

It is expected that Liam's former One Direction bandmates—Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik—will be among those attending the service this week, alongside numerous other well-known figures who will join the band, Liam's bereaved family, and friends in mourning the dad-of-one.

Kate Cassidy, who was Liam's partner at the time of his passing, is also believed to be among the attendees. Cheryl Tweedy, the mother of Liam's seven year old son Bear Payne, is likely to be another mourner at the private family ceremony.

The 41-year-old Girls Aloud star faces the agonising choice of whether to bring her young son to his father's funeral.

Liam's famous mates, including James Corden, Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, Dermot O'Leary and Rita Ora - who recently paid tribute to her late collaborator at the MTV EMAs - are believed to have been close friends with Liam and are therefore likely to be on the guest list.

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