Strangers gather to '˜honour' life of alleged murder victim in Boston

Strangers were among those who gathered at Boston today (Thursday) to ‘honour’ Manfred Jaedke and ensure he was not alone on his journey to his final resting place.

About 30 people turned up to the funeral of 61-year-old Mr Jaedke, who was found dead in his home on July 7 - allegedly murdered.

The service took place at Boston Crematorium and was followed by refreshments at St Botolph’s Church.

Mr Jaedke, originally from Germany, was a widower.

Rector of the Parish of Boston the Rev Aly Buxton, who led the service, said: “It was good to see so many people. It was about us being honourers, not mourners. We mourn the passing of a loved one but we were actually honouring Manfred.”

“One chap said to me ‘when my wife died the crematorium was packed and I didn’t want him [Manfred] to be by himself’. That is tribute to the people of Boston, of the community, they really care for one another and come together when it’s important.”

Liz, from homelessness charity Centrepoint Outreach, also attended the funeral and said it was a ‘lovely service’.

She said: “It was nice to see so many people there to pay their respects to Manfred and to honour his life’

“We don’t like to think of anyone dying on their own and having no-one at their funeral. Every life has value.”

Flowers for the funeral were donated by Tina’s Tributes and other residents.

Mrs Buxton said: “I was so pleased we had flowers donated from Tina’s Tributes because the coffin looked really sad coming up in the hearse with nothing else, I was very moved that we had the flowers donated.”

Mrs Buxton originally put out an appeal for people to celebrate Manfred’s life after it was feared no-one would attend his funeral.

Arrangements by Carr Funeral Service.