The sun sparkled serenely down onto the black hearse containing the coffin of Nathan Lane - “a young man who the world knows was brave... a young man who shouldn’t have died, yet who did so that a young woman could live”.

Those were the words that echoed around the chapel at Watling Street Cemetery, Dartford, to the scores of people who came to pay their last respects to the 28-year-old, of Empress Road, Gravesend, who died in the River Thames off Gravesend.

They were all asked to wear soccer shirts in remembrance of football fan Mr Lane’s love of the beautiful game.

His coffin was also draped in his shirts.

As Human Nature by Michael Jackson played softly in the background, people quietly proceeded into the chapel just before 11am today.

So many turned up they could not all fit in, so people stood outside, craning to listen to the service through the doors.

Mr Lane was born on May 26, 1985, to mum Georgina and dad Michael, who sadly died in 2005 after a battle with cancer.

He grew up in Dartford, attending schools there before moving to Gravesend a few years ago.

The service was conducted by Funeral Officiant Steve Browning, who said: “He was their first baby, but in time was joined by his brother Warren and then Annalee.

“Although he was a quiet lad, he was very protective, particularly of his little sister.

“Annalee talked fondly of how funny her oldest brother was and how a laugh never seemed far from his lips.

“He was not at all keen on his school days, and so it was with relief that he left education behind him at 16 and got a job making showers for a while.

“Basketball played a large part in his life and Nathan was incredibly athletic. He also adored football and not only supporting Spurs, but Aston Villa too. I suppose we all have our faults.”

The service turned to the events of July 14 at the promenade in Gravesend, where Mr Lane dived into the water to save a young girl from drowning.

Mr Browning said: “Having miraculously saved the young girl, it was that truly heroic act which was to take his life.

“He had so much more to do, and to be, and to share, and to experience, and to enjoy, had not only he died so young.

“Nathan was, and is, in the hearts and minds of those who loved him. He is now at peace with both his dad Mick and his grandparents, who adored him.”

“He had so much more to do, and to be, and to share, and to experience, and to enjoy, had not only he died so young" - officiant Steve Browning

Gloria Estefan’s Nayib’s Song was played before people were asked to remember Mr Lane as well as his own dreams - not least, Mr Browning said, than to be a dad himself.

I Am Your Angel by R Kelly echoed around the small chapel following a heartfelt speech from Nathan’s brother Warren, spoken through tears.

End of the Road by Boys II Men and C U When U Get There by Coolio finished the service along with words from Nathan’s mum, Gina.

They were: “My Nathan means ‘gift from God’ and he was gentle and kind and sensitive.

“He had a sense of humour that could sometimes sting like mine, and now God has taken him back, and I will miss him always.”