Family members led the farewell which began with a wake at 7am in the gym of Sala’s soccer boyhood club, San Martín de Progreso, in the Argentinian province of Santa Fe.
Hugely emotional scenes in Progreso as Emiliano Sala’s coffin carried to waiting hearse for journey to Santa Fe for cremation ceremony.
Outside a banner read, Emi, nunca caminaras soloâ” meaning “Emi, you will never walk alone.”
Most of the village’s 3,500 inhabitants joined the footballer’s family in saying goodbye to its most famous son, who grew up in nearby Cululu.
After the funeral, Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock, who had travelled to be there, told WalesOnline: “It’s been very difficult for everyone but none more so than for Mercedes, Romina and the brother.
“Things like this don’t happen very often. You can’t really understand the emotions of the family, but the thing today is how united they all are.
“The whole village is really united, and I think it just brings it home to you just how important family are.
“It’s very been very moving in there. Mercedes has been fantastic. She’s been an amazing woman.
“We met the father as well, and he’s a very emotional subject. It’s been a difficult morning for everyone. I think they have some comfort in the fact that I’m at least it can have closure.”
