A mum of a severely-ill teenager who died has spoken of her heartbreak because her funeral will be in front of "near-empty crematorium".
Holly Smallman, 18, passed away nine days ago, but her funeral will be limited to who can attend due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Her family were hoping to have large crowds at the funeral on Friday. Instead, Holly's friends and relatives will be encouraged to "wear pink" in memory of her.
Parent Hayley, from Liverpool, along with Holly's dad Gary, devotedly cared for their daughter during her cerebral palsy, epilepsy and chronic lung disease.
A celebration had been planned at the Isla Gladstone conservatory in Anfield, with a princess procession and a red carpet for the girl, who featured in the BBC programme Hospital, Liverpool Echo reports.
But due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, and ever-stricter rules on social distancing and a ban on mass gatherings, that has been cancelled.
Plans for a pink coffin for Holly have proved problematic, meaning her family will instead decorate one with butterflies and other memories, and hopes for a horse and carriage may have to be scrapped.
Hayley said: "I never thought I'd have to be considering people's health and well-being at a time when I'm struggling to keep myself together at the moment.
"I'm trying not to crumble, and just standing up is a task to get through the day.
"We're going to ask everybody to wear pink on Friday for Hol, instead of attending, and I'm hoping that will help people who can't be with us and it will also give me the strength to get through the day as well."
In a series of heartbreaking posts on Twitter, the Smallman family outlined their dilemma.
Aunt Rachel Sinclair said: "My beautiful Hol will be laid to rest next Friday and due to #covid19UK, instead of surrounded by her many friends and family who loved her so much, we will be in a near empty crematorium.
"Will you wear pink next Friday the 27th to help us celebrate her life?"
Those not now attending the funeral, whether through self-isolation, due to being in the at-risk over-70s, group, or for other reasons, have been asked to wear pink clothes during the day.
On Mother's Day, Hayley told her followers: "Brokenhearted doesn’t even come close today.
"Hol, you're amazing just the way you are," referencing the popular Bruno Mars song.
Friends and family are planning to have a big celebration later in the year, hopefully once Covid-19 has passed, to share photos and videos of the much-loved teenager and her short life.
Holly required round-the-clock care from her devoted family and had to undergo numerous complex medical procedures, with her needing assistance for breathing, and daily injections.
She was constantly supported by her mum, dad Gary, and her brother and sister - Josh, and Ruby - allowing her to live at home, and not in an intensive care unit.
In 2015, Ruby received a thank you letter from Prince Harry for being an excellent carer for her sister.
Ruby was crowned "Most Caring Child" at the 2015 Wellchild Awards, where she met the prince and presented him with a home-made pottery penguin made to look like him, complete with medals and ginger hair.
She received a letter in the post the following week from her ginger-haired hero, thanking her for her thoughtful present.
