Hundreds of ­mourners gathered in Dumbarton yesterday for the funeral of three members of the same family who died when a bin lorry careered out of control in Glasgow's George Square.

The tragedy claimed the lives of six people, including Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents, Jack and Lorraine Sweeney.

Their family and friends gathered at St Patrick's Church yesterday morning for a poignant service led by Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, who said the family had suffered "tragedy on tragedy and sadness on sadness".

A separate, private funeral was held yesterday for another victim, Jacqueline Morton, 51.

At the funeral of Erin, Jack and Lorraine, bells tolled every 15 minutes as tearful mourners dressed in black arrived, many laying flowers and tributes outside.

When the building was full, people then gathered in the church hall and the grounds outside. Police estimated that "upwards of 1000" attended.

Among those paying their respects was local MSP Jackie Baillie, Justice Minister Michael Matheson, Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson and Celtic players Charlie Mulgrew and Mikael Lustig.

Shortly before 10am, police closed the road to allow a five-car cortege to draw up outside the church.

Erin's mother, Jacqueline McQuade, 43, who was with her parents and daughter when they died, was the last to arrive.

She was supported by her husband, Matthew, 49, and her sister, Yvonne Reilly, who took her hand as they walked into the church.

Alongside them were Erin's brothers Liam, 15, and Aiden, 14, and younger sister Niamh, six.

The service began with the hymn I Watch The Sunrise before Erin's aunt, Elizabeth McQuade, delivered the first reading, which came from the third chapter of the Book of Wisdom.

A church cantor then sang what was said to be Erin's favourite psalm, On Eagle's Wings, and a cousin, Hazel McQuade, delivered the second reading, which was from the first letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians.

A reading from the Gospel of Matthew included the verse: "Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

The Bidding Prayers were led by a cousin, Graham King, who invited mourners to also remember the other three victims of the tragedy - Stephenie Tait, 29, Jacqueline Morton, 51, and Gillian Ewing, 52.

Archbishop Tartaglia, who was joined at the altar by Father Gerard Conroy, the parish priest, Father Martin Kane, Monsignor Desmond Maguire and Father Ross Campbell, delivered the sermon.

The Archbishop began by offering "the deepest and most prayerful sympathies of everyone here on the death of Erin McQuade".

He said: "We offer our most heartfelt sympathies also to all of Erin's relatives and family, to her young friends, and to all those who love her and mourn her. May she rest in peace.

"To pile tragedy on tragedy, and sadness on sadness, Erin's grandparents, Jack and Lorraine Sweeney, died in that same tragic incident."

The Archbishop previously told a memorial mass at St Andrew's Cathedral that he wept with Erin's mother Jacqueline, who is thought to have stopped at a cash machine when the bin lorry hit her daughter and parents.

Speaking yesterday at St Patrick's in Dumbarton, the Archbishop said: "This is a family devastated by the tragic deaths all at once of three much-loved members.

"They were struck down in front of Jacqueline's eyes. A festive and happy Christmas shopping ­excursion to Glasgow had become the worst of nightmares. What happened was random, cruel and meaningless."

The priest also spoke directly to Erin's young friends, who supported each other during the emotional service.

He said: "Her mum and dad tell me that you brought joy to Erin's life. They thank you for that. She will be so pleased that you remember her with fondness and that you are shedding tears for her. She would do that for you.

"Friendship blessed you all. It is good that you will never forget her and that you will always remember her in prayer."

Erin had recently begun an English literature degree at the University of Glasgow.

Archbishop Tartaglia added: "Just as her life was opening up and she was spreading her wings, cruel fate took her away. But you can be sure that she has not dropped into nothingness or non-existence.

"She has gone to God, who will love and protect her until you see her again in the life of the world to come.

"So, my dear young friends, please do not let grief overwhelm you, because what God has in store for Erin is unimaginable light and life and joy."

Erin's grandparents, Jack and Lorraine Sweeney, were said to be "a very happily married couple for 45 years and more". The Archbishop spoke to their daughters, Jacqueline and Yvonne, about the relationship before the service.

He said: "From all that was said to me, what stands out is that they were responsible for creating a loving family who were very close to each other.

"Their last day on this Earth said it all. Jack and Lorraine, Jacqueline and Erin went on a Christmas shopping trip. Three generations of the same loving family. They died as they lived - together.

"It is fitting that they should share the same funeral Mass. They will be buried in the same grave."

The order of service included photographs of Erin and her ­grandparents, along with words of thanks from their family.

It read: "The family would like to thank you for your presence here today. They would like to express their gratitude for the love, sympathy and support shown to them at this sad time."

Mourners sang the hymn O Lord My God as the coffins were carried out of the church to hearses adorned with dozens of floral tributes.

Hundreds of people lined the street as Erin's coffin was carried by four pallbearers, including her father, Matthew.

Six pallbearers then carried Lorraine's coffin, followed by a further six who carried Jack's coffin.

Inside all three hearses were white and yellow roses. Before the doors were closed, Archbishop Tartaglia blessed all three coffins with a splash of holy water.

As the cortege drew away, followed by mourners in five cars and a coach, those who had ­gathered outside the church bowed their heads.

Many of Erin's young friends wept openly as the hearse carrying her body turned the corner out of sight and made its journey to her final resting place.

She was later buried alongside her grandparents at a private service in Dumbarton Cemetery.

A private funeral was also held yesterday for another victim, Jacqueline Morton, who was 51.

She was also killed when the refuse truck crashed into ­pedestrians in Queen Street on December 22.

Among the mourners at Daldowie Crematorium were Jacqueline's partner, John, their sons, Adam and Scott, and granddaughters Holly and Lilly.

A funeral Mass for teacher Stephenie Tait, 29, will be held at St Thomas's Church, Riddrie, ­tomorrow morning.

Among those at the service will be her partner, Martin, who was with her when she died.

Her mother and father, Margaret and Alan, have asked that donations are made to charity Mary's Meals in lieu of flowers.

A funeral for the sixth victim, Gillian Ewing, 52, was held on Tuesday, December 30.