US couple marry at son's funeral

Asa's parents said he had always wanted them to marry

A couple from the US state of New York have been married during the funeral of their seven-year-old son, saying he had always wanted them to wed.

Amilcar Hill and Rahwa Ghirmatizion said marrying at the Buffalo service was a "fitting" tribute to Asa.

Mourners at the service for the boy, who died in a car crash, were not aware the wedding was going to take place.

The couple said they had also found peace in knowing Asa's organs had been donated to save other children's lives.

"Asa always wanted us to get married," Mrs Ghirmatizion told the Buffalo News after the ceremony.

"He'd say, "When are you guys going to get married? How come you're not getting married?' And we'd say, 'We were waiting for you to be part of it.'

"That's why it's so fitting."

The "perfect child" Asa with his grandmother and father Amilcar

Asa was fatally injured when his grandfather's car, in which he was travelling, was involved in a six-car accident in New York state last week.

Tributes at the funeral, which was attended by hundreds of people, described the boy as "a force of nature".

His grandmother, Lorna Hill, said Asa had been a "perfect child" and thanked what she said was the "perfect community" for their influence.

Mr Hill told mourners they should be inspired the way Asa had lived his life.

The married couple also urged others to consider becoming organ donors.

Mr Hill said doing so had been "a hard decision" but that "it has brought me peace".