A LOVEABLE 'renegade' was laid to rest at his funeral today, his sister appearing via live video link from New Zealand to say goodbye.
Ben Kreisler's coffin was moved to his favourite spot outside Asda in St Martin's Quarter, Worcester before the funeral service at Hope Church opposite.
A private cremation was held this afternoon for immediate family and close friends only.
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Hundreds gathered outside Asda to pay their respects to the 36-year-old, laying flowers on his coffin which was already covered in large bouquets.
Celebrated as 'a free spirit', a 'renegade' and a 'kind man' with great intellectual curiosity, some who knew him were weeping and hugging each other while many shared stories about Ben's life and adventures.
Tributes came from Ben's sister Claire Brown, family friend Dave Newman, Kerry Marnell from St Paul's Hostel and Father Brian McGinley from St George's Catholic Church.
Mr Kreisler, who battled drug addiction, was found dead in his room at St Paul's Hostel in Tallow Hill on Monday, May 23.
The crowds entered the service to One Tree Hill, the U2 song, before Matt Town performed Amazing Grace, many joining in.
A eulogy followed from Ben's older sister, Claire Brown, who appeared over live video link from New Zealand where she now lives, sometimes fighting back tears as she painted a vivid picture of the brother she loved.
Ben Kreisler, known to many in Worcester as 'Wiley', was born on January 19, 1986, weighing just 1.5oz and eight weeks premature.
Mrs Brown remembered visiting 'my newborn baby brother' in hospital.
"I remember my father rejoicing and saying 'baba Ben is here'," she said.
She also referred to his voracious reading and told people Ben 'did not like to read bad literature'.
Laughter followed when she described his various theories, including Elvis being alive and well and living on the outskirts of Worcester.
She described his love of ribs and ice cream and his collection of stolen motorbike parts. Her brother had told her: "Well, they shouldn't have been parked there unattended."
She referred to her brother as a 'renegade' who smoked cannabis on the roof of their home to avoid getting caught, announcing: "To the victor go the spoils."
Mrs Brown said her brother 'wasn't looking for sympathy' and described his 'gift for caring for others, even though their predicament was better than his'.
"Ben was a compassionate man with a wonderful, warm nature," she said.
The service finished with the song Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley.
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