The heartbreaking moment actress Clare McCann shares a last tender kiss with her young son's coffin as she farewells him after he was bullied to death at school

Daily Mail​

16-06-2025

Australian actress Clare McCann has farewelled her 13-year-old son after he took his own life following months of relentless bullying at school.
Atreyu McCann was remembered as a creative and generous soul at a moving ceremony at Waverley's Mary Immaculate Church in Sydney 's eastern suburbs on Monday.
Friends and family packed the catholic church to watched in solemn silence as footage played of the teen playing music, dancing, and standing proudly beside his mother at red carpet events.
Mourners, all dressed in black, were told that, like his mother, best known for her starring role in the Channel V series Blog Party, Atreyu had artistic aspirations.
In his short career, Atreyu played roles in the US documentary series Deadly Women and Benefited, a scripted drama written and directed by his mother.
Friends and family wiped away tears as Ms McCann approached the pulpit, letting out a long, shaky breath before sharing stories of her 'best friend'.
'You were the most intelligent, funniest and talented person I've ever known,' she said as her voice struggled to contain her emotion.
'When you were little, you told me you came to my window when I was little [and] you picked me as your mummy and then you said you would leave me one day.
'That you would always love me. I will always love you, I will always miss you, and I will fight for your justice and I will make you proud.'
Atreyu died at their Sydney home after enduring two months of abuse, harassment and threats from fellow students beginning in his first week of high school, she said.
'They tried to dim his light,' his mother said. 'One often told him, "You're not him," any time he tried to speak and be funny.
'He became withdrawn and moody and refused to return to school.'
Ms McCann promised to find justice for her son whose legacy she hoped would inspire schools to do more to intervene in bullying.
'I'm sorry if I failed you. I'm sorry if I loved you too much, made you too gentle,' she said while looking down upon her son's flower-laden coffin.
Parish priest father Bernie Thomas led the church in a prayer before approaching Ms McCann and telling her she had nothing to apologise for.
Mr Thomas remembered Atreyu, whose TikTok profile bore the description: 'God First', as a gentle, devout soul.
Just as she had entered the church, Ms McCann again led her son's coffin out into the bright, late-morning light to the sound of bagpipers.
Friends and family watched on as his coffin was raised once again into the hearse before a framed photograph of her son with short hair, dressed in a black suit.
She repeatedly kissed his photograph while sharing her last tearful words.
Ms McCann unsuccessfully led an attempt to raise the $300,000 needed to cryogenically preserve Atreyu's body in hopes scientific advances may one day bring him back.
She had only seven days to raise the money, a deadline she would fail to meet.
'I will miss our walks, I will miss dancing with you. I will miss watching our favourite shows. I will miss your funny noises, I will miss our cuddles at night time.
'And I will forever mourn not being able to watch you learn and become a father - but you will become a father to all of the children that are saved in your name.
'You are the love of my life.'