Mourners will pay their respects to MP Sir David Amess at a funeral service and procession in his Southend West constituency today. 

The father-of-five, who was stabbed to death while holding a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea on October 15, was a devout Catholic.

His friend and colleague Mark Francois is to deliver a eulogy at Monday’s private ecumenical service at St Mary’s Church in Prittlewell.

The veteran MP’s friend, former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, is to read a statement on behalf of the Amess family.

Read more >> Book of condolence: Your tributes to Sir David Amess as funeral to be held today

Following the 1pm service, a horse-drawn hearse will carry the casket on a procession through Southend.

It is due to pause outside Southend’s Civic Centre and again outside Sir David’s constituency office, Iveagh Hall, before returning to the chapel of rest.

People will be able to listen live to the service on BBC Essex throughout the afternoon.

The Echo will also be providing live updates on our website. You can follow the live updates here. 

The order of service

The estimated timings are as follow:

• 12.15pm church bells will toll

• 1pm memorial service begins

• 2.10pm memorial service ends

• 2.15pm procession will begin from East Street

• 2.20pm approximately the horse-drawn hearse will pause at the Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue and pause for a minute or so to allow people to pay their respects

• 2.35pm approximately the hearse will pause at Iveagh Hall, Leigh Road and will pause again for a minute or two before returning to the chapel of rest for the evening

Monday’s funeral service, led by Reverend Paul Mackay and Rev Monsignor Kevin William Hale, is strictly by invitation only.

Ian Gilbert, leader of Southend Council, said people can pay their respects to Sir David by lining the streets as the hearse passes and by writing in the book of condolence at the Civic Centre before it closes at 7pm on Monday.

He said Sir David’s family “understand there are many others in the city who knew and loved him”, and have agreed for the service to be broadcast on BBC Essex.

Sir David’s family have requested that, in lieu of flowers or other tributes, donations are made to the charities that he supported.

These include The Dog’s Trust, The Music Man Project, Prost8, Endometriosis UK, and the Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Statue.

To donate, see www.justgiving.com/team/SirDavidAmess