Christopher Stalford's life celebrated at South Belfast funeral
The well respected politician died suddenly last weekend.
Mourners from across the political spectrum gathered in Belfast on Saturday for the funeral service of DUP MLA Christopher Stalford.
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, alongside party MPs and MLAs, were among the congregation at Ravenhill Presbyterian Church in south Belfast.
The 39-year-old father of four died suddenly last weekend.
Leaders from across unionism in Northern Ireland, including Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie and Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister, attended the funeral service.
Representatives from Sinn Fein, the SDLP, the Alliance Party and the Green Party were also in attendance.
The death of Mr Stalford caused shockwaves across politics, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson among those who paid tribute to the Principal Deputy Speaker of the Stormont Assembly.
The service heard of his love for his family and for his south Belfast community.
Rev Marty Gray, in a personal tribute to the politician, told mourners: "Christopher was proud of his working-class upbringing."
"He was proud of being from down the road, not up the road.
"When he went canvassing for the South Belfast seat he made sure everyone knew where he went to school so they could be sure he was a south Belfast boy through and through."
The congregation as also told of his love for his wife and family.
"Christopher and Laura had known each other since they were young children," Rev Marty Gray told the congregation.
"From the age of 16, Laura and Christopher were inseparable.
"He was her best friend and she was his and they have been that way ever since."
The funeral heard how the couple were married by former DUP leader Ian Paisley.
"Reverend Paisley was in a meeting with Tony Blair the day he married them and left early because in his words, he had a special couple to marry."
Read more:
Stormont pays tribute to Christopher Stalford