THE vicar who conducted the burial of a rough sleeper found dead in a tent hopes the man's grieving family can now find closure and lessons will be learned from his tragic death.

Rev George Davis conducted the funeral service of Cardon Banfield at Astwood Cemetery in Worcester.

A white lantern is the only token of remembrance laid upon the unmarked grave following the burial on October 25 last year which was attended by around six members of the congregation of Holy Trinity and St Matthew's Church in Ronkswood, Worcester.

Rev Davis offered his services to the environmental health service after learning of Mr Banfield's death and at the time of the burial knew scant details about the man, many of which have emerged since.

As previously reported, the 74-year-old was found dead in a tent near Worcestershire County Cricket Club on July 5 last year, his body so badly decomposed that he could only be identified through DNA analysis.

He was discovered in a tent pitched by a footpath running alongside the river and Severn Bridge car park. The tent was screened by tall grass.

His surviving family, including his mother, sister and niece, did not know he was dead although the coroner said extensive enquiries were made to trace them but without success.

Rev Davis, team vicar for Holy Trinity and St Matthew's Church in Ronkswood, Worcester, said: "I felt it was important that Cardon be given the kind of send off that many deserve to receive.

"There should be a dignity in death as in life, and sadly not having much to go on at the time about Cardon, it sounded as though his final months as a homeless person were tragic.

"I was determined that he be afforded, as any human being should, a respectful burial on the grounds of his humanity.

"I am so happy that at least now his family may be able to begin to establish a sense of closure knowing specifically where Cardon now rests.

"It has highlighted a need, I think, for a system which enables the Cardon Banfields of this world to be respected in death in a way they should be in life, while it could also provide potential families who may be in search of lost or disconnected loved ones, an easier way of locating them as a last ditch effort to be reunited.

"Coming off the back of World Homeless Week, this really is a case in point.

"Cardon's life could and should be used as a benchmark for future systemic change."

Mr Banfield was born on June 11, 1942 in Saint Vincent in the Caribbean, the first born of eight children of Doris Banfield. She is 94 years old and sill lives in Trinidad with her daughter, Judy Banfield

The coroner recorded an open conclusion at last October's inquest as the exact cause of death was not clear.

An All Souls Service will be conducted at Perry Wood School in Worcester on Sunday, October 29 at 4pm.

The service will be one of thanksgiving for all those who have died and Cardon Banfield will be remembered during that service as well.