BUFFALO, N.Y. — Dozens of people lined Route 5 in Hamburg near St. Francis of Assisi on Saturday morning to say goodbye to 11-year-old Luca Calanni.
Luca passed away due to complications of the flu last week.
Many people were dressed in orange, holding signs to show support for Luca's family.
Inside the church, friends and family gathered to say their final goodbyes to the Pinehurst Elementrary School student.
Dozens of people filled the church for the funeral service.
His mother, Ashley Calanni, said the Luca S. Calanni Foundation will help keep her son's memory alive and will help children cross things off their bucket lists.
Family shared stories about Luca, calling him an energetic, ambitious and kind child.
Last week many people lit their porches up orange to honor and remember Luca.
In Buffalo, the Electric Tower was lit orange on Saturday night in remembrance.
Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein, who last week confirmed the child's death was due to complications from the flu, said it was just the second childhood death from influenza in Erie County in 15 years, and the second of the current flu season statewide.
According to the Department of Health, nearly 2,000 people statewide were hospitalized with the flu two weeks ago, which was up 34 percent from the prior week.
"We are seeing much more flu this season compared to other years," Burstein said.