In an emotional and heart-wrenching tribute, hundreds of mourners gathered today to bid farewell to seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, who was tragically killed in the Southport stabbings last month. The grieving community came together to honour the life of the little girl in a funeral procession that began with her tiny coffin being carried in a horse-drawn carriage through the streets of Birkdale.
Elsie’s parents, Jenni and David, followed closely behind the carriage as it made its way to St. John’s Church, where Elsie had been baptized. The hearse was adorned with rainbows, a touching symbol of the vibrant life Elsie lived. Mourners, including friends, family, and members of Elsie’s cheerleading troop, lined the streets, many wearing bright colours instead of black, as requested by the family. Pink ribbons were tied to lampposts along the route, further emphasizing the family’s desire to celebrate Elsie’s life.
The tiny coffin, draped in a light, multicoloured shroud, was carried into the church by pallbearers, some of whom wore Taylor Swift bracelets in honour of Elsie’s love for the singer. Inside the church, which was filled to capacity, the atmosphere was both sombre and celebratory as mourners reflected on Elsie’s short but impactful life.
Elsie’s former teacher, Katie Sykes, spoke of the “sassy” girl who loved sparkly nail varnish and always made her classmates smile. “She truly was one of a kind,” she said, recalling Elsie’s joyful presence in the classroom. Mourners also heard tributes from Elsie’s school friends, who fondly remembered her as a great cheerleader and someone who always wore the “prettiest socks and the shiniest shoes.”
In a poignant moment, the funeral service concluded with a solo performance of Taylor Swift’s Love Story, one of Elsie’s favourite songs, as her family tearfully followed her coffin out of the church. The service was marked by a strong sense of community as mourners joined together to sing songs that Elsie would have enjoyed, including Be Bold, Be Strong from her school assemblies.
Ahead of the funeral, Elsie’s parents shared a touching black-and-white family photo, describing themselves as the “four best friends in the whole wide world.” The image featured Elsie, her parents, and her three-year-old sister, Rosie. The family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support they had received, stating that Elsie would be “forever in our hearts.
The day was filled with tributes to the little girl who brought joy to everyone around her. A procession of Post Office vans, a tribute from her father’s colleagues, followed the hearse through Southport, and Elsie’s cheerleading group, Vortex Cheer, formed a guard of honour as her coffin was carried into the church.
Elsie died alongside six-year-old Bebe King and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar when an attacker went on a rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club last month. The tragedy has left the Southport community devastated, but today, they came together to remember Elsie’s bright and beautiful spirit.
As the funeral procession made its way through the town, bubbles floated through the air, and Dancing in the Sky played in the background, a fitting tribute to a little girl who brought light and love to everyone she met.
