ONLY four family members attended a simple private cremation service
yesterday for alleged mass murderer Frederick West.
The service at Canley Crematorium, Coventry, lasted only five minutes
before his coffin, carrying a single wreath, was reduced to ashes.
The mourners were led by West's electrician son Stephen, 21, who had
made the funeral arrangements.
There were some tears, according to the Rev Robert Simpson of St
Mary's parish church, in the Gloucestershire town of Newent -- only a
few miles from West's birthplace village home at Much Marcle.
The service consisted of two short prayers, the reading of the 23rd
psalm and a period of reflection, said the vicar.
He added: ''The relatives were clearly upset, as any grieving relative
would be. Although it was not a very emotional service there were some
tears.''
Mr Simpson said the mourners were headed by Mr Stephen West and
declined to say who else was present. But it is understood that they
also included West's daughter Mae, 22.
Stephen and Mae collected their father's body from the city mortuary
at Birmingham on Monday. It had lain there since he was found hanged on
New Year's Day in his prison cell at Winson Green prison.
A full inquest has yet to be held into his death. He was on remand
facing 12 murder charges in connection with the Cromwell Street inquiry.
His body had been formally released by the coroner, Mr Richard
Whittington, for collection by Ms Anne Marie Davis, 30 -- West's
daughter by his first wife, Catherine, who was said to be one of his
murder victims.
The Crown has since dropped the 12 murder charges. They had said his
victims included his step-daughter Charmaine, eight, and his daughter
Heather, 16.
His second wife Rosemary, 41, is now in Durham prison. She is to stand
trial at Winchester Crown Court in the autumn charged with 10 counts of
murder.
The removal of West's body from the mortuary appeared to spark off a
row as family members claimed they had not been informed.
West's brother Douglas claimed that neither his wife, Christine, nor
Anne Marie knew that the body was being collected. Speaking from their
Much Marcle home yesterday, both said they had not known about
yesterday's service.
They said they were ''upset'' as they would have liked to have been
present, adding they would be contacting Stephen.
Residents at Much Marcle have voiced opposition to plans to have
Frederick West's body or ashes buried at the parish church of St
Bartholomew in the heart of the village.
West's parents, Walter and Daisy, are already buried in the adjoining
churchyard and he apparently expressed a wish to be buried with them.
Mr Simpson said that he was asked to take yesterday's service by a
local undertaker and had discussed it with Stephen.
Mr Simpson said that he had no second thoughts about holding the
service for West.
The vicar added: ''A funeral service is a solemn and difficult
occasion, and this was slightly more difficult than most.''
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