Liam Payne’s funeral will take place today, with his four former One Direction bandmates expected to pay their respects at the ceremony in the Home Counties.
The 31-year-old star died a little over a month ago, on October 16, from head injuries she suffered after falling from the balcony of her hotel’s third-floor suite in Buenos Aires.
His heartbroken father, Geoff, brought his son’s remains to Britain two weeks ago, after extensive examinations by Argentine authorities into his death.
Payne traveled to Argentina in September where he saw his former bandmate Niall Horan perform and also saw his close friend Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores. He had extended his stay to renew his visa to live in the United States when the tragedy occurred.
He will be buried today at a private funeral in the Home Counties, attended only by his family and closest friends, followed by a wake.
Early this morning, beautiful flowers were placed outside the entrance to the church where his funeral will be held while final preparations were completed.
A source said the sun: ‘His family has done everything possible to offer the perfect service and give him the farewell he deserves.
“Liam may have been a global superstar, but to Geoff and Karen he will always be their little boy. It’s going to be an incredibly difficult day.”
Former One Direction members Harry Styles, 30, Horan, 31, Zayn Malik, 31, and Louis Tomlinson, 32, are expected to be there to say their final goodbyes.
Flowers are prepared at Home Counties Church ahead of Liam Payne’s funeral today.
Flowers are prepared at Home Counties Church ahead of Liam Payne’s funeral today.
Liam Payne performs on stage during a concert in front of the Hotel de Ville in Paris in 2017.
In a joint statement released following Payne’s tragic death, Tomlinson, Malik, Horan and Styles said they were “completely devastated.”
“In time, and when everyone can do it, there will be more to say,” they said.
‘But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, whom we love dearly.
‘The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends and the fans who loved him alongside us.
‘We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam: Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.”
Tomlinson, Styles and Malik later posted separate tributes.
Styles wrote on Instagram that he was “truly devastated” and “will always miss him.”
‘His greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honor to be with him while he did it.
Aerial view of the hotel where British singer Liam Payne died in Buenos Aires
Liam rose to fame with the band One Direction. He is pictured with his bandmates in 2013.
‘Liam lived completely open, with his heart in his hand, he had an energy for life that was contagious.
‘He was warm, understanding and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will always be among the most precious years of my life. I will always miss you, my dear friend.
“My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear and all those around the world who knew and loved him, like me.”
Tomlinson said in an emotional tribute that he was “really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye”.
In a statement signed “Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry”, Liam Payne’s One Direction bandmates said they were “completely devastated”.
Louis Tomlinson said he was “really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye” in a separate tribute to Payne.
Zayn Malik said he had been talking out loud to Payne ‘hoping you could hear me’
Harry Styles wrote on Instagram that he was “truly devastated” and “will always miss him.”
He posted a photo on his Instagram page of the two on stage with Payne lovingly putting his arm on Tomlinson’s shoulder.
Tomlinson said he would be an uncle to Payne’s son, Bear, if he “ever needed me” and “I would tell him stories about how wonderful his father was.”
“I’m so grateful that we’ve gotten even closer since we formed the band, talking on the phone for hours, remembering the thousands of incredible memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life,” he wrote. .
“I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it didn’t happen that way.
‘I wish I had the chance to say goodbye and tell you once again how much I loved you.
Payne had been on holiday in South America with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy (left)
Tributes and flowers are laid outside St Peter’s Collegiate Church to remember former One Direction singer Liam Payne in Wolverhampton.
One Direction fans gather to pay tribute to Liam Payne, at the Monument to the Revolution, in Mexico City on October 17
‘Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. May you sleep well X’.
Malik said he had been talking loudly to Payne “hoping you could hear me.”
In his heartbreaking tribute, he said he had “lost a brother when you left us.”
“And I can’t explain to you what I would give to give you one last hug, say goodbye properly and tell you that I loved and respected you very much,” he wrote.
‘I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever. There are no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are now you are well and at peace and know how loved you are. I love you brother.’