Cartoon-themed funeral for toddler
Bailey Massey's family members dressed up as his favourite cartoon characters for his funeral. (Image source: Ross Parry)
Little Bailey Massey used to rock with laughter when he watched cartoons. It made him happy, and the characters were his “friends” throughout his battle with a rare liver disease.
And so when the nine-month old toddler died after three failed liver transplants, his parents Lindsay and Simon, decided to celebrate his memory by asking mourners to attend his funeral dressed as his favourite cartoon characters.
Family and friends honoured their wish and dressed up as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Donald and Daisy Duck, as they escorted Bailey’s coffin.
Nine-month-old Bailey died after three failed liver transplants. (Image source: Ross Parry)
Lindsay, 24, said: "Bailey only had a short life and spent so much time in hospital, but he loved to watch cartoons.
"His favourite programme was the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He used to rock with laughter when he watched them, they made him so happy.
"We wanted to do something special and I thought it would be lovely if Bailey was surrounded by his favourite characters on his way to church.
"The church was full and there were a lot of people outside. It was a tribute to our son and everyone played their part. The funeral director said he had never done anything like it before."
Bailey was diagnosed with biliary atresia, which caused his liver ducts to fail when he was seven weeks old. His parents were told he needed a liver transplant to survive.
His father Simon, 27, donated part of his liver for the transplant at Leeds General Infirmary on Dec 20, but the transplant failed.
Little Bailey had his second transplant on Boxing Day but that too failed due to blood complications. He died during surgery for his third transplant.
Source: Agencies
Published Feb 3, 2012
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