On Saturday 26 April, a funeral will be taking place for a Ukrainian refugee who had been living in Torbay and sadly died. The local community have worked together to support the funeral.

It is a public health funeral so only the cremation itself is provided on a statutory basis but local organisations and businesses, as well as a number of Torbay Council, departments, have stepped up to provide other services for free on the day.

The service for Yuliia Hrytsai, who had been living in Paignton at the time of her death, takes place at 2pm at The Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey, prior to which there will be a parade and one minutes silence from 1.30pm on Paignton seafront (from the point where the Ukrainian flag will be on the Esplanade). Katie Mills Funeral Directors is providing the funeral service free of charge as a gesture of goodwill. This will be from the point where the Ukrainian flag will be on the Esplanade.

This is the public funeral service, Yuliia will be cremated at Torquay Crematorium at a later date.

There is no parking near Spanish Barn.

Although there won’t be a formal road closure, traffic will move slowly while the hearse and funeral cortege travels along Paignton seafront from 1.30pm, so residents and visitors are asked to be patient and respectful during this time (this part is expected to last around 15 minutes).

The statutory public health cremation has been organised by Torbay Council’s Environmental Health team. Other teams have also donated their time and resources, including the Events and Culture team making the Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey available for the service.

Barton Bouquets have donated flowers for the funeral, Torbay Clearance Services are donating their time and expertise to pack up Yuliia’s belongings for them to be sent back to Ukraine. Representatives from the Royal British Legion will also be attending the funeral.

Yuliia’s coffin will be draped with the Ukrainian flag on the hearse and close friends will follow in a limousine. Music will be played on Paignton seafront followed by a minute’s silence. After the silence the Hearse will travel along the seafront and then over to Torre Abbey. A video from Yuliia’s son will also be played during the service itself.