Liam Payne funeral updates: Details confirmed as star to be laid to rest in Home Counties
One Direction singer Liam Payne's friends and family will come together to grieve the 31-year-old after he fell from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires
by Rose Hill · The MirrorLiam Payne will be laid to rest today in the Home Counties, a month after his tragic death in Argentina.
The One Direction singer's friends and family will come together to grieve the 31-year-old after he fell from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on October 16. Three people have since been charged in connection with his death. Liam, who rose to stardom as a youngster on The X Factor, sustained "serious injuries that were incompatible with life", with an inquiry into his death still ongoing.
A fortnight ago, Liam's grieving father Geoff repatriated his son's remains to British soil in preparation for his interment.
A private ceremony in the Home Counties will see Liam laid to rest, surrounded by those closest to him with a subsequent wake planned. His former bandmates from One Direction – Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik – are all expected to join the service, along with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy who has been left heartbroken.
Cheryl, mother to his seven-year-old son Bear, is also anticipated to be present at the funeral today.
12:19Rose Hill
Touching floral tribute to Liam's passion
Liam's love of bowling has been reflected in a touching floral tribute outside the church.
Five bowling pins and a ball were created through an intricate arrangement of flowers.
11:47Rose Hill
'No parking' signs and gazebo put up at church entrance
A white gazebo has been constructed at the entrance to the church for mourners to gather before the service.
Across the road from the church, metal barriers and a gazebo have been erected media covering the service.
'No parking' signs have also been put up outside as two traffic enforcement officers keep watch.
11:40Rose Hill
What time will the funeral take place?
Liam Payne's funeral is expected to take place this afternoon at 1pm.
A choir and musicians are expected to perform at the private service. Members of a private security team have also taken position on the church grounds .
11:17Rose Hill
New photos of floral decorations at church
Wintry and autumnal floral decorations have been pictured adorning the entrance of the church holding Liam Payne's funeral today.
New photos show burnt orange leaves, white roses and berry branches among foliage entwined either side of the door.
11:10Rose Hill
Where was Liam from and where did he live?
Liam was born in the Heath Town district of Wolverhampton but following his quick climb to fame at 16 following One Direction's birth, he bought a number of properties over the years.
Following his separation from Cheryl in 2018, he sold his properties in Surrey and California to buy £3million mansion Foxwood in Chalfont St Giles so that he would be close to his ex and son.
At the time of Liam's death, he had just moved into a $9,500-a-month rental Spanish-style mansion in Florida with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
10:57Rose Hill
Liam's funeral guestlist
Along with Liam's One Direction bandmates, those expected to attend include his girlfriend Kate Cassidy, X Factor boss Simon Cowell, his ex Cheryl and family.
Just before his death, it has been reported that the father-of-one had been in Buenos Aires to update his US visa and also watch Niall perform at the Movistar Arena. His family previously said: "We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul."
09:36Rose Hill
Home Counties funeral location is close to Liam's heart
Liam Payne will be buried in one of the Home Counties during a private ceremony closed to the public today.
Liam has connections to the area after living there with partner Cheryl and their son Bear during the early years of their relationship. When the pair split Liam helped Cheryl buy a £3.7million mansion to raise Bear, where she lived with her mum Joan.
It was first believed that one of the churches near Liam's childhood home in Wolverhampton would be the location of the funeral.
09:34Rose Hill
Leave a tribute to Liam Payne in our online book of condolence
Do you have a memory of a time you met Liam Payne, or simply a way in which he affected your life that you would like to share? Perhaps a more general message of sympathy at the news of his passing. If so, feel free to light a virtual candle and leave a message for Liam or his family on our tribute page.
09:27Rose Hill
Heartbroken fans pay tribute to Liam on social media
Devastated fans have flocked to social media to pay tribute to Liam on the day of his funeral as they shared their fondest memories of the singer.
Sharing photos of the singer, one fan tweeted: "We promise to never forget you, Liam. This isn't goodbye, it is 'till we meet again."
While another commented: "Reading #Liam Payne's funeral' out loud is the hardest thing to ever say. we shouldn't be experiencing this in 2024, at such a young age." A third wrote: "This still feels so surreal. don’t think i’ll ever realise he’s actually gone."
09:20Rose Hill
Liam and Cheryl's touching wish for son Bear's childhood
Liam and Cheryl broke up in 2018 - but their split didn't stop them being on the same page when it came to their seven-year-old son, Bear.
Having always wanted to be a young dad, he and Cheryl were overjoyed after welcoming Bear to the world on March 25, 2017. Taking to Instagram at the time, proud mum Cheryl, now 41, shared: "We are all madly in love and overwhelmingly happy with our little arrival."
The couple parted ways shortly after Bear's first birthday but remained jointly committed when it came to one moving wish for Bear's childhood, which they refused to compromise on.
In a 2023 interview with British Vogue, Cheryl revealed that, although Bear thought it was 'pretty cool' to have celebrities as parents, they had taken steps to protect him from the darker aspects of fame. Expressing her longing for Bear to have a 'normal childhood', Cheryl explained: "I don't want people recognising him on the street.
"But he's twigged that I'm famous. The other day he said, 'How lucky am I to have famous parents?' I said, 'It doesn't matter'. He goes: "Yeah. But it's pretty cool'."
This is something Liam also felt very strongly about. On a 2021 episode of the podcast The Diary of a CEO with Stephen Barlett in June 2021, the popstar opened up about why exactly he wanted to give his young son the chance to become his own person.
He said: "Obviously, we protected his identity to start off with, and that's not being pretentious or anything other than the fact that I want to give him a chance to be Bear first before he has to be, 'Oh, your mum and dad are so and so' you know. And I made my choice to be where I was at 14 [or] 15, so I figure he can make his own choice then too."
08:53Rose Hill
Zayn's heartbreaking gesture to Liam ahead of funeral
Zayne decided to cancel his UK tour - which had been due to start this week - so that he would be able to attend the funeral.
He will be joining his former One Direction bandmates Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Niall Horan at church for Liam's funeral later today.
The Dusk Till Dawn star told his fans last week that he was rescheduling two of his Edinburgh shows due to "unforeseen circumstances." He informed fans that his November 20 show has now been changed to December 8 and another show of his Stairway To The Sky tour show on November 21, has been rescheduled to December 9. The A Whole New World singer had previously postponed the American leg of his tour following the devastating loss of his bandmate.
08:45Rose Hill
One Direction's heartbreaking joint statement after Liam's death
Days after the tragedy, Liam's bandmates came together for the first time in years to share their joint shock and upset at the news.
Liam's One Direction bandmates said they were "completely devastated" by the news of his death, adding: "The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever."
In a statement signed "Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry", Liam's One Direction bandmates said: "We're completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved 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."
08:31Rose Hill
Final preparations underway at church for Liam's funeral
The final preparations for Liam's funeral at a church in the Home Counties were underway this morning.
White roses and autumnal foliage were placed at the entrance of the church as candles lined the path.
08:20Rose Hill
Liam Payne's hometown memorial overflowing with tributes
Liam Payne's memorial in Wolverhampton is overflowing with tributes as those in his hometown mourn the loss of the One Direction star.
Tributes honouring the singer were "respectfully relocated" by the council earlier this month. A shrine of flowers, cards and a variety of tributes was moved from the city centre to the bystand.
Sharing a photo on X - formerly Twitter - a user showed how the bystand is full of vibrant flowers, letters, candles, balloons, teddies and photos to celebrate his life.
08:06Rose Hill
Where in the Home Counties will Liam's funeral take place?
Liam Payne will be buried in one of the Home Counties during a private ceremony closed to the public today.
The Home Counties comprise of the counties of England that surround London - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey.
It was initially believed one of the churches near Liam's childhood home in Wolverhampton would be the location of the funeral.
07:55Rose Hill
Liam's incredible fortune promised to son Bear
Liam Payne's extraordinary success - from the young age of 16 - saw him amass a huge fortune by the time he became a dad at 23.
The One Direction star is said to have been worth £46million. In an emotional interview in 2022, Liam suggested all of his money was going to son Bear. The One Direction star said: "My life now is his, my money is his. I have actually got several companies that are up and running that I know he can run one day if he wants to or [he can sell them]."
Liam also helped pay for a £4million home for Cheryl and Bear in the Buckinghamshire village of Chalfont St Peter. When he split with Cheryl, Liam then splashed out on a home nearby.
07:01Susan Knox
Liam Payne's funeral will see One Direction reunite for first time in nine years
Singer Liam Payne's funeral will take place in the Home Counties today with his One Direction bandmates amongst the mourners.
The One Direction star was only 31 when he fatally fell from the third floor balcony of his hotel room in Argentina on October 16. On November 6, officials in Buenos Aires, allowed the family to fly his body home.
The One Direction bandmates of the late star are included within the list of attendees; Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik. Liam's girlfriend Kate Cassidy is also expected to attend along with Simon Cowell.
In a joint statement last month, One Direction said: "We're completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.
"But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved 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."
Read the full story, here.
06:52Susan Knox
One Direction unite as Zayn Malik changes tour dates to attend Liam funeral
One Direction stars are set to say their final farewell to bandmate Liam Payne following his tragic death last month.
Zayn Malik decided to cancel his UK that was due to start this week so that he can attend the funeral. The former One Direction star announced to his fans last week that he was rescheduling two of his Edinburgh shows due to "unforeseen circumstances." He informed fans that his November 20 show has now been changed to December 8 and another show of his Stairway To The Sky tour show on November 21, has been rescheduled to December 9.
Zayn had previously postponed the American leg of his tour following the devastating loss of his former bandmate Liam. It has been confirmed Liam's funeral will take place tomorrow (November 20). Liam tragically died last month aged 31 after he fell from the third floor balcony of his hotel room in Argentina.
Among the attendees at Liam's private funeral are his former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn as well as his girlfriend Kate Cassidy along with Simon Cowell. The star's father Geoff flew to Argentina following the tragic news and returned to the UK along with the singer's body, which was then reportedly taken to his hometown of Wolverhampton.
Read the full story, here.
11:06Rose Hill
Who will attend the funeral?
Liam's One Direction bandmates, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik are expected to attend Liam's funeral, with a whole host of other household names joining the band and Liam's grieving family and friends as they lay the dad-of-one to rest.
Kate Cassidy, Liam's girlfriend at the time of his death, is also thought to be attending. Cheryl Tweedy, mother to Liam's seven-year-old son Bear Payne, will likely be another guest at the private family funeral. The Girls Aloud singer, 41, is faced having to make a heartbreaking decision over whether to take her young son to his father's funeral.
Liam's celebrity pals, such as James Corden, Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, Dermot O'Leary and Rita Ora - who paid tribute to her late collaborator at the MTV EMAs over the weekend - are thought to have enjoyed close friendships with Liam and will therefore likely be invited.
11:05Rose Hill
Can fans attend the funeral?
Fans across social media platforms are urging others to respect the family's privacy and not attend the funeral. It is believed that the funeral will be private, allowing his friends and family the necessary time to grieve their loss. One viral TikTok shows a fan pleading with others: "Your friendly reminder that if you’re thinking of going to Liam Payne’s funeral to look at One Direction members—don’t!”
"I’m begging you all to remember Liam Payne was a human and his family and friends are going through a hard enough time without having to cater to the public,” she wrote in the caption. “They deserve to say goodbye to him with grace." The ceremony is expected to include a "series of song tributes from some very big acts", as a tribute to his love for music, a source told Radar Online. His family reportedly wants to incorporate a special musical element into the ceremony.
While fans of the late singer are not invited to the funeral, thousands are expected to line the streets of Wolverhampton as the hearse passes through the city. Following the tragic news, fans of the singer launched a petition calling for legislation to protect the mental health of artists in the entertainment industry. The petition, initiated on Change.org by a fan of the late father-of-one, aims to "implore lawmakers to create legislation safeguarding the mental health of artists within the industry".
To date, over 135,000 individuals have signed the online document, advocating for "Liam's Law". This law would require "regular mental health check-ups, adequate rest periods and the presence of mental health professionals on-set, including any ongoing support during their career".
11:04Rose Hill
Where will Liam's funeral take place?
Although details are still under wraps, it is believed that Liam's funeral will take place in the Home Counties early this afternoon.
An insider previously revealed to Mail Online: "Liam will have a very big send-off, quite probably at a large cathedral somewhere close to his heart. Liam was so loved by so many people, there will obviously be enormous demand and so the service will necessarily be a huge affair."