FAMILY and friends from the white and Asian communities in Burnley gathered to say their final goodbyes to Nadeem Khan, seven months after he died in police custody.
Nadeem, known as Dean, was arrested following a "violent struggle" with police in Halifax Road, Brierfield, last June. He was later taken ill at Burnley Police Station and taken to Burnley General Hospital where he died aged 28.
Mourners lined Abel Street, Stoneyholme, as a black horse-drawn carriage passed the Ghausia Centre on its way to Burnley Cemetery where relatives and friends packed into a service in the multi-faith room.
His tearful sister Shameem spoke movingly about her "big brother who had high ambitions and a great business mind". She added he achieved so much in his short life and described him as "the glue of our family" who acted in the best interests of his family, especially his children, Alisha and Jasmine, to whom he was devoted.
Shameem also read a tribute from their mother, Brenda, who said he was taken away before his time and was now with his grandma who he loved very much.
His cousin and friend, Shiraz Khan, told how the pair grew up together in Stoneyholme and were season ticket holders at Burnley Football Club.
Two poems were read before the coffin was carried out to Phil Collins' "Against All Odds".
Claret and blue balloons were released into the air as his coffin was lowered into the ground.
An investigation was launched by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, but in July Dean's family and friends staged a peaceful march from Daneshouse to Burnley Police Station where Chief Supt Neil Smith read a statement.
Mr Khan grew up in Burnley and attended Towneley High School, but had moved to Blackburn several years ago and became a property developer.
His partner, Kuldip Kaur Singh, died last October.
The IPCC investigation report has neared completion and is expected to be released soon.
Click here to view our slideshow of Nadeem's funeral