Hundreds of mourners burst into applause as the father and brother of murdered schoolboy Rhys Jones helped carry his coffin into Liverpool's Anglican cathedral for his funeral service today.
In a tribute to the 11-year-old and his favourite football team, Stephen Jones and Owen, 17, wore royal blue Everton shirts and the coffin bore the club's crest and blue and white flowers.
At his parents' request, many of the mourners wore bright clothes or football tops, both Liverpool and Everton, to celebrate their son's life.
The Bishop of Liverpool the Right Reverend James Jones described Rhys's family as a "beacon of light" amid the sadness of the last two weeks.
"Your love for Rhys, your dignity and your family life have shone out and restored hope and honour to our community, shamed by such a crime," he said.
Hundreds gathered outside the cathedral to pay their respects as the cortege passed. They cheered members of the Everton squad when they entered the cathedral.
The service began with the organist playing the theme from the 1960s police drama "Z-Cars", the music played when the Everton team runs onto the pitch before each home game.
The schoolboy's friends, wearing their football kits, lit candles at the front of the cathedral and placed flowers on his coffin. The hymns included "All Things Bright and Beautiful" and "Abide With Me".
Rhys will be buried later at a private ceremony in the city.
He died after being shot in a pub car park in the Croxteth area of the city on his way home from playing football last month.
The police murder inquiry continues. Seventeen people have been arrested over his murder, but no charges have been brought.