The small Co Tyrone village of Eglish fell silent as Cormac McAnallen's funeral cortege eased along the winding road from the family home a couple of miles away. Even the birdsong seemed to fall away.
Many among the thousands of mourners were shockingly young. Some looked more bewildered than grief-stricken.
The presence of bishops, sporting figures and politicians reflected the national impact of the sudden death at the age of 24 of the captain of the Tyrone football team from a rare viral infection of the heart.
The bereaved clung to each other. His parents, Brendan and Bridget, were distraught. Ashlene Moore, who was to have become their daughter-in-law, wept openly. Father Patrick Breslan's sermon, amplified across the village, echoed among the drumlins. The faint repetition added to the poignancy.
"Cormac was an exceptional young man, wise beyond his years," he said. "He was cherished and loved by his family and in turn he looked for and could always depend on their support."
The Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Seán Brady, called on the youngsters present to follow Cormac's example. "I firmly believe that Cormac's memory will be best honoured by those who will best imitate the good that he has done," he said.
The dead man's fiancée managed her own faltering tribute to her "special friend, my one and only". Her one wish was for "my Cormac to be standing with me and for us to be happy, happy as could be".