Slain schoolboy Scott Chiriseri was laid to rest today, with the minister who conducted his funeral blaming Satan for the tragedy.
Scott, aged five years, five months, was found with what police described as a “significant injury” at his home in Carnaughton Place, Alva, on December 5.
Death was later certified as due to “multiple sharp force injuries”.
His mother, Farai Chirashi, 32, was charged with his murder and detained in a psychiatric unit.
She appeared in private at Alloa Sheriff Court on Monday [Jan 5th], when a sheriff made a treatment order under the Mental Health Act.
Baptist Church pastor The Rev. David Fraser, who gave the funeral address as more than 200 mourners packed Alva Parish Church, said: “Satan tricked Farai, she was trusting in a lie.
“If that gets your hackles up, remember that Jesus died for all sin.”
Many mourners wore cream or white, instead of black, for what the family called a “celebration” of Scott’s short life.
A picture of Super Mario, the character from one of Scott’s favourite video games, adorned the front of the Order of Service.
The primary one schoolboy was a member of Alva Baptist Church but, to accommodate the turnout, the service was held in the much-larger Alva Parish Church instead.
Mourners packed aisles, and spilled into a side-hall, listening to the service via loudspeakers.
Scott’s former classmates from Alva Primary School were told they could take the day off, if they wished, to attend. Uniformed pupils from the nearby secondary school, Alva Academy, also attended.
Scott’s father, Tichakunda Chiriseri, a quantity surveyor, and his older sister Natasha Chiriseri followed the coffin.
The Revernend Fraser added: “The keypoint is that wee Scott is a friend of God. He really enjoyed church.
“The community has come together to remember Scott several times already and this is a final opportunity to let go of Scott and touch hands.
“Born in Stirling Royal Infimary, he lived his life in this town.
“He was like a puppy with his tail wagging — that’s what I’ll remember about Scott.
“He loved motor racing. He would have been anyone in this room at Mario-Kart.”
“And he loved the church.”
Hymns included “Jesus’ love is very wonderful” and “What a friend we have in Jesus”.
Then as the tiny white, silver-handled coffin left the church, “Jerusalem, My Happy Home” was sung in Shona, the native language of Zimbabwe, from where Scott’s family came, by a Zimbabwean choir.
A prayer was offered by the Rev. Hazel Carr, the minister of Cornerstone Full Gospel Church, Dalgety Bay, Fife, who said Scott was “a remarkable young lad”.
She added: “It was a privilege to be part of Scott’s life.
“We say thank you to God for the joy, pleasure and love that he brought to so many.”
Police directed traffic as the funeral cortege wound its way the short distance to the town’s cemetery, on a small hill, where the coffin was laid to rest.
Just three wreathes were left at the graveside — from the Alva community, from friends and colleagues at Scott’s father’s work, and from the family.
A note with the family wreath of yellow, purple and orange flowers read: “Beloved Scott, you are missed by all of us.”
It was signed by Scott’s uncles, aunts and other family members, and finally with the words “Daddy and Natasha.”