So young, so beautiful, so lost - how Bristol said farewell to teen Heather | Bristol Live

Tears as brave mum Tara carried her coffin

The mother of teenage girl who died last month bravely carried her coffin into her funeral in emotional scenes in south Bristol.

With the pall bearers towering over diminutive Tara Donlin, the mother of 19-year-old Heather stepped forward and join the solemn procession at South Bristol Crematorium on Tuesday.

The death of the teenager has shocked the community in Hillfields, and across Bristol, where Tara is a well-known housing crisis activist.

The mum of five said she was determined to carry the coffin of her daughter into the packed funeral service, if she was strong enough, and she did.

Floral tributes filled the hearse for the 19-year-old, who was found dead at her home in Hillfields in February.

An inquest into her death has been opened and adjourned, with mum Tara saying she is determined to get answers to questions about the mental health care of her daughter in the period leading up to her death.

One floral tribute read: “Heather, so young, so beautiful, so lost. We hope you found peace.”

“She was one of the sweetest, craziest, funniest, grumpiest people you could ever meet, all rolled into one gorgeous person,” said her mum Tara.

“There are no words I can use to express what an amazing person she is and the way I feel about her,” she added.