The life of Christopher Michael Lawrence was celebrated on July 27 by friends and family in Red Deer.
About 250 people attended the sombre funeral service for the 15-year-old teen that was held Sunday morning at Red Deer's Parkland Funeral Home.
Family friends, relatives, teachers, and nearly 50 of Lawrence's school friends from Blackfalds, Red Deer, and Innisfail filled the main chapel and overflow room during the ceremony.
Celebrant Sonja Henderson led the 35-minute life celebration from the eulogy to the presentation of the multi-media DVD.
“It is important today for those present to remember to be kind and generous to those around you just like Chris was in his life,” said Henderson.
The DVD presentation included photographs from the teen's family albums that ranged from his childhood to his passing. Sports photographs, family gathering pictures, and photographs of brothers and sisters were accompanied by musical pieces, “Untitled”, Pearl Jam's “Just Breathe”, and Green Day's “Wake Me When September Ends.”
Around the room, Lawrence's classmates and friends watched and remembered the teen in their own private and special way, wiping away tears and grieving as the images slipped by. Laughter and smiles accompanied treasured memories as recent photos of Lawrence and his girlfriend Kristina Kinder finished up the presentation.
Staff from Innisfail Jr./Sr. High school were among the attendees. Jeff Anderson, the high school's vice principal and athletic director, said he was amazed at the number of youth who came to pay their respects. The impact of Lawrence's life of the young was symbolized when a huge throng of teens followed Kinder and mourned with her over the loss of their friend. Lawrence was laid to final rest by his grandfather at Alto Reste Cemetery in Red Deer.
