The family of Alice Gross have released a heart breaking statement today after laying their daughter to rest in a humanist celebration of her life.
Still reeling from the horrific circumstances of her death, the family held a private ceremony this morning in Hanwell.
Brentside High School pupil, Alice Gross, 14 vanished on the afternoon of Thursday August 28 after walking along the Grand Union Canal.
Her body was later recovered on September 30 after having been weighted down and concealed in the River Brent yards from where she disappeared.
Latvian builder Arnis Zalkalns, who was the prime suspect, was found hanged in Boston Manor Park earlier this month.
Alice's family released a statement today, saying: “We have been devastated by the appalling circumstances of Alice’s death. Alice was so spirited, so present, so vital and so full of promise. We find it almost impossible to understand what has happened and that we have to say goodbye to her. We want Alice’s funeral to focus on the joy of Alice’s life and the joy of having known her."
The family went on to thank the community for its kindness and support, adding: "We have been moved by the depth of sympathy and compassion around us, not only from close family and friends but also from the local community.
“A tribute and donation page has been set up in Alice’s memory with Youth Music. We feel this is a fitting tribute to our daughter Alice. She loved music and loved making music and would have wanted other children to experience this joy.”
A tribute and donation page has now been set up in Alice’s memory, where money will be donated to The National Foundation for Youth Music charity who help disadvantaged youngsters access and make music.
Alice’s funeral (a humanist celebration conducted by Caroline Black for the British Humanist Association), was full of music, with videos of Alice playing and singing songs she wrote herself.
Tributes were made by her teachers, parents Rosalind Hodgkiss and Jose Gross, and sister, Nina Gross.
The coffin has been painted by Nina, Alice’s Grandmother, Anne Hodgkiss, and family friend, Carole McCourt, with a meadow scene that captures Alice’s love of nature, which also depicts her three cats, Lottie, Louis and Pattie and her dog, Peggy.
Mourners will sing ‘You are my Sunshine’ and further musical tributes will be made by her music teachers, past and present, including ‘Home’ by Gabrielle Aplin, ‘The Call’ by Regina Spektor , ‘Touch the Sky’ from the film ‘Brave’ and the violin piece ‘Ashokan Farewell’ by Jay Ungar.
Alice’s Grandfather will read the poem ‘Surprised by Joy’ by William Wordsworth, written at the loss of his own daughter.
A public memorial ceremony for Alice will take place on Sunday, 2 November at Greenford Town Hall as an occasion for the family to thank all the local people whose outpouring of support and grief has touched them very deeply.
Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council said: “Our heartfelt sympathy and thoughts are with Alice’s family today. Throughout these terrible weeks, the Gross family has shown tremendous dignity under the most tragic circumstances imaginable.
“We will be flying both the borough and union flags at half-mast over Ealing Town Hall today. Condolence books will remain open at the Ealing Town Hall and Hanwell Library until Saturday November 1."
Donations in memory of Alice can be made at http://alice.poppymadeleine.gross.muchloved.com
