One Direction’s Liam Payne Honored at Funeral Service

Liam Payne was honored in a memorial service on Nov. 20, one month after his tragic passing.

Many of his loved ones were present, including girlfriend Kate Cassidy and his One Direction bandmates.

Liam Payne’s loved ones are celebrating what made him beautiful.

Just over a month after his tragic death at the age of 31 from a fall off a hotel balcony in Argentina, the beloved One Direction member is being honored in a funeral service held in the English countryside Nov. 20, with fans, peers and family alike saying one final goodbye.

Present at the ceremony were many of Liam’s loved ones, including his parents Karen Payne and Geoff Payne, as well as his girlfriend Kate Cassidy, who was one of the first mourners to arrive.

Cheryl Cole, with whom Liam shared 7-year-old son Bear, is also expected to attend the service.

While many of Liam’s family members, including Kate, shared individual statements following his passing, his family first shared a collective statement as they grappled with their grief.

“We are heartbroken,” they noted on Oct. 17. “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.”

The memorial also saw the reunion of Liam’s bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik for the first time since One Direction officially went on hiatus in 2016, a year after Zayn’s exit.

The four band members were seen arriving at the premises in black suits, with Harry being joined by James Corden.

Liam’s memorial comes as more details about his untimely death have come to light, including the events that occurred in the minutes leading up to his fall, as well as autopsy and toxicology revelations.

According to a release from the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office No. 14 shared Oct. 17, employees at the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires placed a 911 call “to ask for help for a guest who was under the influence of drugs and alcohol and had destroyed some objects in the room” minutes before Liam fell.

“We have a guest who is overindulged in drugs and alcohol,” the caller said in audio obtained by Telemundo from local media in Argentina and translated by NBC News.

“We need someone to be sent to us urgently, because—well, I don’t know if he is at risk.

The guest is in a room that has a balcony and we are a little afraid that he might do something life-threatening.”

According to the release, by the time first responders arrived at the hotel, Liam were so severe he likely died on impact.

An autopsy of his body confirmed the artist died from “polytrauma” and internal and external bleeding.

Toxicology testing determined that alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant were in his body when he died, according to Argentina’s public prosecutor.

Two people were later detained and charged with supplying narcotics, with a third person charged with abandonment of a person followed by death, prosecutors announced Nov. 7.

But rather than focus on the demons the popstar may have faced throughout the highs and lows of his career, in his death, Liam’s loved ones instead chose to focus on the good memories they shared with him.

As Louis wrote in his individual statement about his former bandmate, “Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.

I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.”

“If you’re listening, I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life,” he continued.

“I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life.”

For more of the tributes shared in Liam’s memory, keep reading.

One Direction

“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” the band wrote in a joint statement on Instagram. “In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.

But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”

Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Harry Styles continued to emphasize the impact Liam had on their lives.

“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever,” the statement added. “For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”

Niall Horan

“I am absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam,” Niall wrote in a lengthy Instagram statement.

“It just doesn’t feel real. Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious.

He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.”

The “Slow Hands” singer continued to reminisce on his time singing alongside Liam in One Direction.

“All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to my mind through the sadness,” Niall added.

“We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever.

The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime.”

Niall, who had Liam and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy as guests at his recent concert in Buenos Aires, also detailed what it was like seeing his friend for the final time.

“I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently,” Niall wrote. “I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever.

It’s heartbreaking. My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear. Thank you for everything, Payno. Love you brother.”

Harry Styles

“I am truly devastated by Liam’s passing,” Harry began in his Instagram post. “His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.”

“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious,” he added of his legacy.

“He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.”

Zayn Malik

Liam’s former One Direction bandmate reflected on all he wished he could have said to him.

“I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives,” Zayn wrote on Instagram.

“I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.

When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.”

“Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f–ks about telling people when they were wrong,” he continued.

“Even though we butted heads because of this a few times,I always secretly respected you for it.”

Zayn also called Liam “the most qualified” musician in the band “in every sense.”

“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly,” he wrote.

“[I] will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated.”

Louis Tomlinson

Louis shared a lengthy statement to his own Instagram, commemorating Liam’s legacy and his friendship.

“I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother,” Louis wrote.

“Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.

I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got the chance to see the kind of brother I’d longed all my life for.”

The “Back To You” singer—who cowrote many One Direction songs with Liam—continued to note Liam’s impact on the band.

“Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back into the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band,” he added.

“And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam.”

Liam Payne’s family

“We are heartbroken,” Liam’s family—including mom Karen, dad Geoff and sisters Ruth and Nicola—told the BBC.

“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.

We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”

Kate Cassidy

Liam’s girlfriend—who was vacationing with the late singer and left Argentina days before his death—said she has been “at a complete loss” since news of his passing.

“Nothing about the past few days have felt real,” Kate wrote on Instagram Story. “I ask and pray that you give me the grace and space to navigate this in private.”

Calling Liam an “angel,” the influencer added, “I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life.”

Cheryl Cole

In a statement describing her ex’s death as an “earth shattering event,” Cheryl—who shares son Bear with Liam—reminded folks to exercise grace during this “indescribably painful time.”

“I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being,” she wrote on Instagram Oct. 18.

“Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.”

She added, “Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death,” she concluded, “to rest in some peace at last.”

Simon Cowell

“Liam, I am truly devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty,” the X Factor judge wrote on Instagram Oct. 18.

“And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.”

Describing Liam—who he mentored along with the rest of One Direction—as “kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused,” Simon continued, “I always thought the of the five of you in the band as brothers”

He added, “And now Liam, I can see the effect you had on so many people. Because you left us too soon. Rest in peace my friend.”