Family Follows Tiny Pink Coffin at Funeral of Girl, 2: ‘God Did Not Want This to Happen to Maya’

At the funeral of their beloved princess, family and friends wore pink, her favorite color, and shed tears in her loving memory. Mourners watched as the little one’s pink coffin was carried in a unicorn-drawn carriage through the streets.

On Friday, November 4, 2022, a funeral service was held for Maya Louise Chappell, who reportedly suffered an incident at home in Milton Grove, Shotton Colliery, County Durham, England.

After the September 28 tragedy, the little girl was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition. According to Maya’s family, she passed away two days later, on September 30, surrounded by her loved ones.

Daily Mail reported that the tot took her final breaths in the intensive care unit at Newcastle’s Royal Infirmary. On November 2, Rachael Walls shared a post on behalf of Maya’s father, James Chappell, where she announced the funeral date and location.

During the funeral service, the air echoed with a few melancholic tunes, including “Diamonds” by Rihanna, “Concrete Angel” by Martina McBride, and “Fly” by Celine Dion.

“Until We Meet Again”

“[James] has also asked that everyone wear pink as this was Maya’s favorite color, and we want to celebrate her beautiful life in color,” wrote Walls in her Facebook post.

Moreover, Walls also invited people to line the route of little Maya’s horse-drawn carriage on the somber occasion. Before the funeral, James took to Facebook and penned a touching post for his lovely little princess:

“I love you so much Maya Louise Chappell, so does all your family. You’ll be sat with your grandma and our Brooklyn and all the rest so this isn’t a goodbye forever baby girl, just a goodbye for now (sic).”

The heartbroken father concluded his post with the following words, “I’ll see you again someday and I’ll make everything up to you. Until we meet again little girl (sic).”

Bidding Farewell

Two-year-old Maya’s funeral was held at Our Blessed Lady and St. Joseph, near Leadgate. Mourners gathered in the church courtyard as the coachman brought the carriage carrying her tiny pink coffin to a halt.

The carriage was pulled by two horses, draped in pink plumes with unicorn horns, who carried the toddler’s coffin through the streets. There was no dry eye in the house as Maya’s pink casket was lifted and supported by four pallbearers.

Mourners respected her father’s request and attended the tragic occasion in pink clothing. James chose a pink tie for himself as he bid farewell to his beloved daughter.

Gone Too Soon

Eventually, the late toddler’s pink coffin was carried into the church, where Father John Bagnall said a few words during the service. Father Bagnall expressed that everyone’s life was bound to end at some point.

While death at any age was shocking and hard to accept, Father Bagnall stated that it was heartbreaking to “lose a loved one suddenly and at a very young age.”

As he addressed the mourners during the funeral, Father Bagnall continued, “There is a tendency for some people to say, ‘It must be the will of God.’ Let us be perfectly clear God did not want this to happen to Maya.”

Keeping Her Memories Alive

During the funeral service, the air echoed with a few sad tunes, including “Diamonds” by Rihanna, “Concrete Angel” by Martina McBride, and “Fly” by Celine Dion.

As family and friends continued to shed tears for the sweet toddler whose life had been tragically cut short, Father Bagnall requested them to keep Maya’s memories alive in their hearts. He added:

“You will remember the sound of Maya’s laughter and you will remember the happy and the funny memories too.”

Comments from Netizens

The Northern Echo shared a short clip on Facebook on November 5, which showed the floral tributes people had left for Maya. Many netizens left comments of encouragement and support for the bereaved family. Here are a few of them:

“RIP beautiful little angel xxx much love and thoughts to all your lovely family (sic).”

— (@michelle.clarke.37853734) November 4, 2022

“Thinking of you all today! No one should have to go through this heart goes out to you and your family (sic).”

— (@100014547107699) November 4, 2022

“Sending all my love to you and your family today sleep tight little princess dance with the angels (sic).”

— (@1163382534) November 4, 2022

Rest in eternal peace, little Maya, and fly high with the angels. You will forever be loved and cherished by everyone who knew you.

Click here to read another story about a three-year-old “Sunshine” boy who accidentally died on his dad’s farm. Hundreds of people lined the streets to lay him to rest.