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Funeral of Archie Battersbee to take place in church he begged to be baptised in

by Sophie Drew
Archie Battersbee cropped.png - Banner image
Hollie Dance/ Alamy

A funeral for Archie Battersbee is due to be held in the church where he persistently asked to be baptised. 

The 12-year-old was at the centre of a human rights dispute over the right to live after being found unconscious in his Southend home in April. 

After a string of trials, Archie's life support was switched off in early August. 

He had expressed a strong interest in Christianity, regularly asking his mum if he could be baptised in St Mary's Church in Prittlewell, Southend, Essex.

Now, the church will host his funeral. 

Archie was baptised whilst in an induced coma, inside the hospital, on Easter Sunday. 

His family members followed suit the next day. 

His funeral will be held on Tuesday, September 13. 

The Church of England place of worship - which describes itself as 'ordered but not over-elaborate' - was also the backdrop for a memorial service following the tragic death of Southend MP Sir David Amess. 

Prior to his accident, Archie saved his pocket money to buy a cross necklace and a Christian ring and regularly spoke of his faith in God. 

An inquiry into his death, and the decision to remove his life support, is still ongoing. 
 

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