Torbay to honour Ukrainian refugee with public funeral

A public funeral service for a Ukrainian refugee who died while living in Torbay will take place on Saturday, 26 April.

Yuliia Hrytsai, 44, who had been living in Paignton, will be remembered at a service starting at 2pm at the Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey, Torquay.

Ahead of the service, a short parade and one minute’s silence will be held from 1.30pm on Paignton seafront, beginning at the point where the Ukrainian flag will be flown on the Esplanade. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Yulia bravely left her home in Liman, a small city in Donetsk Oblast, to escape the devastation of the Russian invasion.

She worked and built friendships here, but died unexpectedly. Her only son, Pavlo, cannot leave Ukraine to attend her funeral due to the continuing conflict. He is devastated at the thought of his mother being alone on her final journey.

The funeral has been arranged as a public health cremation, meaning only the cremation is covered on a statutory basis. However, local organisations, businesses and Torbay Council departments have come together to offer their services and support at no cost.

Katie Mills Funeral Directors is providing the funeral free of charge. Barton Bouquets has donated flowers, and Torbay Clearance Services has offered assistance in preparing Yuliia’s belongings to be returned to her family in Ukraine.

The Spanish Barn is being made available for the service by Torbay Council’s Events and Culture team. The cremation will take place separately at a later date at Torquay Crematorium.

Traffic on Paignton seafront may be temporarily affected from 1.30pm as the hearse and funeral cortege pass through. There will be no formal road closure, but residents and visitors are advised that traffic will be slow-moving during this time. No parking is available near the Spanish Barn.

Yuliia’s coffin will be draped with the Ukrainian flag and accompanied by close friends in a limousine. Music will be played on the seafront, and a video message from her son will be shown during the service.

Representatives from the Royal British Legion are also expected to attend.