Lawrence's funeral was held at the Chilterns Crematorium in Amersham. The room was so full that many people were standing at the back. It was a very cold December day and the following music was played: Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd, Made of Stone by The Stone Roses and When the rain goes down by the Eurythmics. It was a humanist funeral and was very moving. I have a lovely memory of my Grandad Holdsworth. He came over to hug me. He had a lovely soft coat on. I felt that I could just sink into him and that he would protect me from all this hurt forever. It's a memory of him that I shall never forget and that means so much to me. Here are the words that were read: We are not here to make any judgement on the manner of Lawrence’s death. We are here to celebrate the twenty years he lived. The paradox of Lawrence’s young life was that for someone so self-critical, his value, potential and warmth as a human being was so obvious to all those that loved him. This quickly became clear to the very many friends he made and for some Lawrence was that rare friend among many acquaintances. Like all Life, his was a mixture of happiness and pain and he shared the ideals and aspirations of all young people as he strived to establish himself in the adult world. The qualities for which he will be remembered are many. He had a tremendous sense of adventure and ambition which, given more time, would have been harnessed and given him the rewards he so desperately wanted. Lawrence had a zany sense of humour, which made him good to be with, and laughter was always around for his crowd. His approach to life is typified by an entry in his diary during his European travels earlier this year. ‘ Must sort my passport out, means I must go to England. Boring. Arty, Farty, Conservative Place about 30 miles from France. But because I was born there I have to have a stupid document to say where I am from. Why can’t I just say EARTH? At every border then I could just waltz around the world. Sparrows don’t have passports and they go away every Winter and they are from the same planet, WEIRD!’ His was a lively mind; he was intelligent and bright and had an opinion on any subject. If only he had been able to work through the pain of growing up – the world was for his taking. He was loving and generous and one of life’s GIVERS and his many friends speak of the depth of his relationships. Sadly, Lawrence kept his worries to himself and he was unable to accept for himself what he so readily gave to others. His untimely death means we shall never know his true potential and despite the difficulties of the last few months we shall all remember Lawrence for all that was good and beautiful in a very special young man. All of us who knew and loved Lawrence will recognise the truth in these words. The sadness we feel on reading them is a reminder of the depth of the love we have for him. This is a poem by Marjorie Pizer that was also read. The splendid youth is dead and is no more And who should comfort those who are left? Who shall comfort the mother who has lost her son? Who shall comfort the sister who has lost her brother? Who shall comfort the grandparents who have lost a grandson? Who shall comfort the friends who have lost a friend? Who shall comfort the father? There is no comfort for those who are grieving For faith is not enough To assuage the tearing wound of sudden grief For all the young men who died before their time And for this one so newly dead. O let us catch the raft of life again And not be swept away Into the darkest depths of grief and loss.