THE anthem of his favourite football club was played, his father told moving anecdotes from his life and one of the flower arrangements was in the shape of a rugby ball.
It was every inch the "jolly funeral" that teenager Joseph Cooper had asked his parents to give him – in the letter he wrote to them before he died.
And, in fulfilling his son's final wishes, dad Mark told the packed congregation at Derby's Community Church: "This is not a standard funeral – this is Joseph's funeral."
The courageous 14-year-old had twice fought cancer and was in remission – but constant complications meant he was often in hospital.
Last month, his parents made the difficult decision to turn off the ventilator on which he had spent two weeks.
But Joseph, of Castle Donington, had left Mark – who is himself fighting cancer for a sixth time – and mum Tracy a letter, which said how he "went down fighting" and gave instructions on how he should be buried.
Even the sunny weather seemed to respond to his request for a cheerful service, as Joseph's coffin arrived at the church in Pride Park.
Its pastor, Simon Shaw, explained to the congregation how it was fitting Joseph's funeral was being held at the venue – as he had been a frequent visitor there on Sundays and "loved the band".
Songs to which Joseph liked to listen with his father were played by the church's musicians before the start.
This was followed by Run, sung by Leona Lewis – another of the teen's favourite tunes – as the coffin was carried inside, followed closely by Mark, 51, and Tracy, 49.
The hymn How Great Thou Art and a reading of Psalm 23 – which begins "The Lord is My Shepherd" – followed, before Mark paid tribute to Joseph on behalf of his family.
He shared stories of Joseph's hobbies, interests and achievements – opening with the line that he expected to tell the congregation things "they never knew" about his son.
This included his love of boxing, his prowess at water sports and skiing, how he loved to play Warhammer games on his PlayStation 3 and how he met many celebrities – such as singer Katie Melua and television presenter Noel Edmonds.
He explained how his son's last night out in May was across the road at Pride Park Stadium – when he received a Derby Telegraph Community Champions award for championing blood donation.
The youngster, who had been receiving regular transfusions himself, was given the Achieving Against the Odds award and received a standing ovation after giving an inspirational speech about his illness.
Mark also said his son – a former Diseworth Primary School and Castle Donington Community College student – had travelled on planes 13 times in 14 years and wanted to be a pilot.
His light-hearted stories prompted a few laughs but Mark shed a few tears as he thanked his wife, Tracy, for looking after their son through his illness.
Joseph was first diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2008 and, two years later, with leukaemia.
Mark concluded his tribute by saying: "In 14 years, he crammed in quite a lot – I give you my son, Joseph Frederick Cooper."
The coffin was carried out to You'll Never Walk Alone – the anthem of his football club, Liverpool.
Family and close friends travelled to Castle Donington cemetery for the burial.
