Silence fell over Dereham town centre this afternoon as dozens of people turned out to watch Marina Watters's final journey through her home town.

People gathered along the roadside to pay their respects to the 26-year-old as her funeral procession travelled from Theatre Street and onto Market Place.

Dereham Times: People gathered on Market Place to witness Marina Watters's funeral procession, as it travelled through the town.People gathered on Market Place to witness Marina Watters's funeral procession, as it travelled through the town. (Image: Aaron McMillan)

A silence, only broken by the sound of cries, fell upon the crowd as the pink hearse made its way through the town centre on its way to the funeral service.

One person who came out to pay their respect, who did not wish to be named, said: “Marina was lovely, she was just a lovely girl.

Dereham Times: Marina Watters, 26, of DerehamMarina Watters, 26, of Dereham (Image: Courtesy of family)

“I had the great pleasure of working with her, and she was just a really gorgeous girl.”

Her loved ones, who described her as "the glue" of all of her social circles, had earlier paid tribute to her.

They also launched a fundraiser to help pay for the funeral, which raised more than £7,000 to help give her a fitting send-off.

Dereham Times: People gathered on Market Place to witness Marina Watters's funeral procession, as it travelled through the town.People gathered on Market Place to witness Marina Watters's funeral procession, as it travelled through the town. (Image: Aaron McMillan)

Her best friend, Cherise Barnard, and brother, Michael Watters, invited people to line the streets for the procession, which passed through the town centre at about 2.20pm.

As she passed by, several men created a block at the junction of High Street to stop traffic. 

Dereham Times: People gathered on Market Place to witness Marina Watters's funeral procession, as it travelled through the town.People gathered on Market Place to witness Marina Watters's funeral procession, as it travelled through the town. (Image: Aaron McMillan)

Miss Watters was found by Norfolk police after officers were called to Warren Place on Wednesday, April 26.

It was following concerns for her safety. Although paramedics attended, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dereham Times: As Marina Watters’s procession passed by, men create a block on the High Street to stop trafficAs Marina Watters’s procession passed by, men create a block on the High Street to stop traffic (Image: Aaron McMillan)

An inquest into her death opened on May 9, with senior coroner Jacqueline Lake confirming Miss Watters was born in Norwich in 1996 and was employed as an accountant.

A full inquest is due to be held on Tuesday, November 14.

  • The family has urged people who feel they may need mental ill health support to contact the Norfolk and Waveney branch of the charity Mind by ringing 0300 330 5488 or emailing rictriage@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk to be put in touch with one of its recovery triage operators
  • If you need help and support, call NHS 111 and select option 2 or the Samaritans on 116 123. Both services are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. You can also download the Stay Alive app on Apple & Android.