Tavis Spencer-Aitkens funeral begins in Ipswich

Tavis Spencer-Aitkens. Picture: SUPPLIED BY FAMILY (Image: Archant)

Family and friends of Tavis Spencer-Aitkens say they plan to make the funeral a celebration filled with colour and energy to mark the passing of a young life taken too soon.

Around 800 people attended the funeral Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

Tavis was fatally stabbed while walking back from the shops in Nacton on Saturday June 2 – leading to an outpouring of grief in the community.

The funeral of Tavis Spencer-Aitkens in Ipswich Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

In the days that followed Tavis’s death, scores of young people visited a tree near to where he had been attacked to leave floral tributes and pay their respects.

Songs by Bob Marley and Stormzy were played at the service Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

Relatives, friends and community leaders attended the ceremony Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

The funeral of Tavis Spencer Aitkens in Ipswich. Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The funeral of Tavis Spencer Aitkens in Ipswich. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

Songs by Bob Marley and Stormzy were played at the service Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

The funeral of Tavis Spencer Aitkens in Ipswich. Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The funeral of Tavis Spencer Aitkens in Ipswich. Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The funeral of Tavis Spencer Aitkens in Ipswich. Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The funeral of Tavis Spencer Aitkens in Ipswich. Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

Hundreds of people paid their respects at the service Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

The funeral of Tavis Spencer Aitkens in Ipswich. Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The funeral of Tavis Spencer Aitkens in Ipswich. Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The funeral of Tavis Spencer Aitkens in Ipswich. Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

The funeral of Tavis Spencer Aitkens in Ipswich. Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

The funeral of Tavis Spencer-Aitkens in Ipswich Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

Mourners arriving at the church Picture: SONYA DUNCAN (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

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