Hundreds of people – close, elected or anonymous – meet this Monday afternoon in Lilles for the funeral of Lola, 12, whose savage murder shook the country. The funeral mass started at 2:30 p.m. in the collegiate church of this small town in Pas-de-Calais, near Béthune, where the girl’s family has its roots.
“Lola, 12 years old. Lola left too soon, and in absolutely unbearable circumstances”, briefly introduced the bishop of the diocese of Arras, Mgr Olivier Leborgne, at the start of the ceremony, before passing the floor to someone close to the little girl.
“Today, nothing stops our tears. Until recently, we watched you laugh, smile, dance, without worrying about anything, like a child your age. You will leave a great void, you the youngest of the family, ”read this woman, her voice broken by tears. One of Lola’s brothers also testified to pay tribute to the memory of the little girl.
Many people had begun to arrive on site from 1:30 p.m., sometimes leaving a note, a flower, a tribute.
Lola’s family had gathered in front of the collegiate church before the hearse arrived in front of the building. The small white coffin, surmounted by an imposing wreath of white flowers, was transported inside the collegiate church, followed by his parents, his brothers, his family, and an “Ave Maria” then resounded.
Among the relatives attending the funeral, there are neighbors from rue Manin, in Paris, where the girl lived, as well as friends from the Pas-de-Calais campsite where the family spent their holidays. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, Secretary of State for Children, Charlotte Caubel, and other elected officials, including RN deputy for the constituency Caroline Parmentier, were also present in the church.
“There are no words”
Outside, unable to enter the church, which has a capacity of 500 seats, many people are gathered to listen to the ceremony broadcast by loudspeaker. Barriers have been deployed to regulate the crowds.
Sabine Vizenski, in tears, came with her three grandchildren. “It was my grandchildren, Lola’s age, who asked to come,” she said. “We are here to show our support as best we can. “I drove 30 minutes, it was very important for me”, confides, further, Thomas Maillot, 55 years old. “To do that to a kid of that age… there are no words,” he added.
The parents wish “to be able to honor the memory” of Lola “in serenity” and “respect and dignity”, they reaffirmed Sunday evening, for the third time since Thursday.
The burial in the cemetery of Lillers, must take place “in the strictest privacy”.