KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — Form Three student Yap Shing Xuen, who died in a stabbing incident at her secondary school, was laid to rest today, accompanied by hundreds of well-wishers holding 100 balloons in her favourite colour as a final tribute.

Earlier, nearly a hundred people — including family members, friends, schoolmates, teachers and the public — gathered at the Nirvana Memorial Centre to pay their final respects where the 16-year-old lay in repose.

By 9am, attendees began congregating inside the ceremonial hall for the casket sealing and last rites ceremony which started at 9.45am.

As the emcee delivered the eulogy in Mandarin, Yap’s mother Wong Lee Ping was seen sobbing and wiping her tears.

After the eulogy, attendees performed the three bows rite — a customary and respectful gesture honouring the deceased.

Outside, numerous wreaths from various well-wishers lined the exterior hallway leading to the ceremonial hall.

The funeral service was also broadcast to members of the media gathered outside as well.

At 10.30am, the funeral service concluded and Yap’s casket was transported to the waiting hearse at 11.20am.

The 100 balloons were later released to symbolise Yap’s freedom and final journey.

Yap’s funeral cortege later departed for the Nirvana Crematorium in Shah Alam for the cremation ceremony.