The heartbroken family of a terminally-ill teenager won't be able to touch her coffin before her body is taken away for cremation because of the coronavirus.
Relatives of much-loved Holly Smallman will be laid to rest on Friday, but newly-introduced rules means a maximum of just 10 people are allowed at her funeral.
The recently-imposed regulations, issued by Liverpool council on Wednesday, has devastated poignant plans for the 18-year-old's last goodbye.
Holly was severely-ill for much of her life, with cerebral palsy, epilepsy and chronic lung disease, and needed 24-hour care, provided by her loved ones at home, rather than an intensive care unit.
She was very well-known and loved at Alder Hey Children's Hospital and Claire House hospice.
Instead of a packed service and wake, at the Isla Gladstone Conservatory in Stanley Park where hundreds were due to attend, many close relatives and friends cannot now come along for a final farewell to BBC Hospital patient Holly.
In a series of devastating blows, no funeral cars will be used and chairs inside Anfield crematorium will be kept a safe distance apart because of Covid-19.
There are even guidelines about a lack of hugging between family members, if they don't live in the same household.
Mum Hayley asked if the curtains at the crematorium could be left open temporarily after the short service so they could briefly touch her daughter's coffin.
But sadly, that is not allowed due to the risk of infection.
In a tearful and upsetting interview, the 42-year-old said the choices having to be made over the last 24 hours were "the hardest thing in the world" and "heartbreaking."
'How do you choose to invite the 10 people who Holly loved the most?'
The mum-of-three, from Fazakerley, told the ECHO: "I've been living hour by hour, waiting for a new announcement.
"I hoped with all my heart it wouldn't come to this, but I knew it was on the cards.
"How do you choose to invite the 10 people who Holly loved the most?
"On the worst day of our lives, what we needed most was our family and friends, yet many of them will not be there.
"We will have to go out and say goodbye to Holly alone - this is not how I envisaged it would happen.
"I'm not even allowed to touch my child's coffin for the last time - she was my little girl.
"Friday now feels sterile, like I'm dropping her off for her funeral and then going home."
Hayley, husband Gary, 46, their children Ruby 12, and Josh, 21, will attend, along with her grandparents and aunt Rachel.
Many others who loved the teenager have sadly missed the cruel cut.
The Smallmans still hope Holly's coffin can still be carried in a horse and carriage along Walton Vale and Queen's Drive.
But even that looks in the balance.
this was our last chance to say goodbye to our little girl,
Suggestions have been made to use Facebook Live to broadcast the funeral, but that could be tricky with rules on social distancing.
Speakers cannot be used to broadcast Holly's service and her sister Ruby's ideas for a pink carpet to the conservatory wake venue were quietly shelved.
Hayley added: "The world is coping as best as it can, and this is a massive crisis.
"I know we've got to get through, but this was our last chance to say goodbye to our little girl, and it's been taken away from us.
"We wanted Holly's funeral to be light and happy, to show everyone what a wonderful person she was.
"Our family and friends have got us through the past 12 days, but now many won't be there on Friday - it's quite scary.
"There were people across the country who wanted to come, but this is now the stark reality this nation finds itself in."
Holly remains at home resting, lying in her bed where she was found having died almost two weeks ago, one of the "places she loved the most," Hayley said.
Her immediate family will dress in pink for the 18-year-old on Friday, and are urging others in Liverpool who knew Holly to do the same in a show of remembrance and solidarity.
Plans have been discussed 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 had to undergo numerous complex medical procedures, with her needing assistance for breathing, and daily injections.
In 2015, Hayley’s youngest daughter Ruby received a thank you letter from Prince Harry for being an excellent carer for her sister.
