Grieving friends and family filled every inch of a crematorium to pay their final respects to much-loved Lowestoft man Scott Smith.

Lowestoft Journal: Mourners arriving at Gorleston Crematorium for the funeral of Scott Smith from Lowestoft.Many of the family and friends were wearing football shirts.Picture: James BassMourners arriving at Gorleston Crematorium for the funeral of Scott Smith from Lowestoft.Many of the family and friends were wearing football shirts.Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk (C) 2015)

Mr Smith's death was followed by countless tributes from people who knew him for his kindness and his wonderful personality.

And it was a 'tribute to him' that so many gathered at his funeral on Friday, said the minister leading the service at Gorleston Crematorium, which proved 'just how many people's hearts he touched'.

Civil celebrant Hazel Cresswell said: 'He will certainly never be forgotten by those who knew him', as she invited people to remember his 'fun-loving' personality and 'cheeky smile'.

'A man who loved nothing more than to make you happy,' she said. 'A man who saw the very best in everybody he met.'

In tribute to his love of football, mourners sang Rodgers and Hammerstein's You'll Never Walk Alone, as well as Wiz Khalifa's See You Again.

Over the course of the service, Mrs Cresswell invited people to think of their own special memories of Scott and paid tribute to the impact he had on the town.

'Scott has not only left a huge hole in the hearts of his family, he has left a huge hole in the community,' she said.

'He is and will be felt for many more years in so many hearts and minds.'

His sister Donna Elvin said: 'Huge thanks to everybody who came to the funeral for making it a lovely send off and to all the people that gathered at Fen Park.

'It really was a lovely send off for him, it couldn't have been better.'

A street collection in Lowestoft raised £772.49 for the Scott Smith fund on Saturday, August 8.

The money will go to purchasing memorial items, including a bench which the family hopes to put in Fen Park, one of Mr Smith's favourite places.

Do you want to pay tribute to Scott Smith? Email: andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk