Family of Greg Monks gather for funeral as mourners donate to children's charity
A funeral has taken place for a man who was found dead after going missing on a stag do in Portugal.
Greg Monks, from Cambuslang, near Glasgow, vanished just hours into a stag do with his pals in the Algarve party resort of Albufeira.
The 38-year-old had been missing for a week before Portuguese authorities discovered his body at the bottom of a ravine on Wednesday, June 4.
Police believe Greg became lost while attempting to find his way back to his hotel and tragically fell to his death.
His devastated family, including his mum, cousin and girlfriend Nicole, were forced to return home without his body as they waited for repatriation.
His family and loved ones gathered at Daldowie Crematorium's West Chapel near Glasgow to say their goodbyes today.
The service was also shown in the East Chapel and live-streamed online for those unable to attend in person.
Mourners were asked to donate to children's charity Cash for Kids instead of bringing flowers.
Those celebrating Greg's life spoke after the service. Sharon Cooke said: "A truly beautiful service, you did Greg proud. All the love in the world to you all."
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Kelly Ann added: "The service was absolutley beautiful. His friends and family did him very proud. Rest in peace now Greg."
On Monday evening before his funeral, loved ones gathered for an emotional balloon release at Fullarton Park in Glasgow. Attendees brought a blue balloon with a personal message to Greg.
Greg's sister, Jillian Monks, previously spoke to the Daily Record about the agony of losing her brother – but said the family were grateful for some sense of closure.
She said: "It has been the toughest time of our lives. We still can't believe what has happened. But we're glad we now have some sense of closure. I don't know if any of us could have coped with even another day searching for my brother.
"We couldn't eat, we couldn't sleep. It was absolute torture. To know Greg has been found is a slight relief. We can now bring him home and give him the send-off he deserves."
Greg had travelled to Albufeira for a five-day stag do, where he was due to be a groomsman. However, just hours into the trip he became separated from the group on the strip. The last sighting of him was captured in a quiet residential area around three miles from the main strip.
Jillian has urged groups heading abroad to look after one another and stay together.
She said: 'In places like Albufeira, everyone needs to stick together and look after each other. His pals are absolutely devastated at what happened.
'Before everyone left the hotel that night, Greg made sure they all had a business card and a map from the hotel to help them find their way home.'
A fundraiser launched during the search – and later used to help with repatriation - has raised more than £34,000, showing just how loved Greg was by all who knew him.
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