FLYING Without Wings played as the coffin of attack victim Ryan O'Riley was carried from St Mary's RC Church, Burnley.
The Number One hit by pop group Westlife was chosen by Ryan's family.
The 21-year-old, who died from head injuries in Preston Royal Hospital on January 9, left a baby son John-Paul, his grandmother Bridie Daley, sister Carmel and three uncles and their families.
The family was joined at the church by nearly 200 friends.
Among the congregation were police officers who are taking part in the inquiries into his death and teachers from his old school, St Theodore's RC High School.
A Requiem Mass was conducted by parish priest Fr David Lannon.
He told the congregation: "This year, I seem to have had a funeral every midday of the week.
"In some senses, Ryan's is the most tragic because of the way he died and because of how young he was."
He said the manner of Ryan's death reminded them of the evil that could and did exist to different degrees and in different ways.
He asked the congregation to pray for the forgiveness of sins.
Ryan's sister Carmel was in tears as she read a poem telling of her love for her brother.
The service was followed by interment at Burnley Cemetery.
Ryan died in hospital after being found in Browsholme Avenue only yards away from his grandmother's home in Brandwood Grove. He had lived with her from the age of two.
Two local men have been charged with Ryan's murder and have been remanded in custody.
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