"We must tread softly in grief,” Pastor Craig Ledbetter told his congregation in Ballincollig at the funeral of five-year-old Emmy Eckert which took place today in the Bible Baptist Church.

Emmy Eckert tragically lost her life in a bathing accident while on holidays in Germany with her parents and her three siblings on Thursday, August 8.

A family picture and flowers were placed on the top of Emmy’s white coffin at the top of the room on a table covered in pink material with a white teddy behind it as the ceremony began.

Speaking from the Altar, Pastor Craig Ledbetter told the congregation they met in the room they normally use for activities, but today it was to pray for the Eckert family and celebrate the life of Emmy.

“We don’t understand days like today,” Pastor Ledbetter said. “We ask God to mind the Eckert family in their grief.” 

Children from the community sang some songs during the ceremony followed by a slide show of pictures and videos of Emmy over her short life with her family played with her favourite song in the background.

Pastor Ledbetter told the congregation a little about Emmy, he said her favourite colour was pink and her favourite stuffed animal was a sheep and he said she was full of life. The Pastor than sang a hymn called ‘Wish you were here’.

“This is not a goodbye forever, but goodnight because we believe we will see her again in the morning with the Lord Jesus Christ.” 

“Emmy has not missed life, simply skipped this life for now, she is with Jesus.”