Mourners attend funeral of alleged hit and run couple Ross and Clare Simons (GALLERY)

Feb 15 2013 By Cheryl Mullin

HUNDREDS of people have attended a joint funeral held for a “perfect couple” killed in an alleged hit-and-run as they rode a tandem.

Ross and Clare Simons, who were described by friends as “two peas in a pod”, were hoping to start a family and had just been given the go-ahead to begin IVF treatment.

Less than 24 hours after celebrating the news, Mr Simons, 34, and his 30-year-old wife died when their bicycle was hit by a Citroen Picasso car, in Hanham near Bristol, on January 27.

The two coffins, adorned with white flowers, were laid side by side in a hearse as it entered Westerleigh Crematorium, in South Gloucestershire.

Family and friends, who were asked to wear bright colours to reflect the couple’s characters, fell silent as they caught sight of the hearse.

Family members hugged each other in support as they wiped tears from their cheeks, following the wooden coffins into the crematorium.

They had asked those who attended the funeral not to bring flowers but to donate money to a Bristol IVF charity in the hope that it will give another couple the chance of having a child.

During the service there were several readings and tributes to the couple who - as stated on the order of service – lived by the words Love, Laugh, Live.

Their wedding song – Heaven, by DJ Sammy – was played along with Endless Love, which the family said gave people a time to reflect on Mr and Mrs Simons’ love for each other.

At the end of the service the families and other mourners scattered white rose petals over the coffins.

Reverend Peter Cook, who led the service, said: “At the end the coffins were completely snowdrift in white rose petals which was just a very beautiful thing.