It was standing room only as friends and family came to pay their respects to Rishton man Dennis Slater at his funeral last week.
St Peter and St Paul’s Church, in Rishton, was full to capacity for the service on Thursday June 3.
Dennis Slater died after falling 50ft out of a tree while camping in Great Harwood last month.
His father, Ken Slater, of Walmsley Avenue, Rishton, said that Thursday’s service had been a fitting tribute.
He said: "It went absolutely brilliantly. The church was full. The funeral directors said they’d never seen a funeral like it."
The 31-year-old’s coffin arrived on a Victorian carriage pulled by two black Belgian horses. A hearse bore a number of floral tributes, including a 6ft long arrangement of the word ‘brother’ spelled out in white flowers.
Dennis’s beloved dog, a brown mastiff named Ernie, was wearing a black bow tie to mark the occasion.
Ken Slater said: "Ernie was well-behaved, as always.
"I’m really proud of all the people that turned up in the black, they looked immaculate. Even babes in arms had black waistcoats on."
The Tracy Chapman song Fast Car was played during the service and Dennis’s friends made tributes. After the service Dennis’s friends held a wake at Uncle Jack’s pub in Lower Darwen.
Ken Slater said: "It was a very emotional day. I’d like to thank the funeral directors for making it a very special day, but everybody had their part in it."
