Family and other mourners gathered Saturday for the funeral of Elijah Marsh, the three-year-old Toronto boy who died after wandering outside on a bitterly cold morning earlier this month.

Some of those who showed up to pay their respects to the family did not even make it into St. Matthew’s United Church, which was filled to its capacity of 550.

Instead, dozens – possibly hundreds -- of mourners waited outside as a little white and gold casket was carried in.

Inside, the casket was draped in a Canadian flag beside a large photo of Elijah’s smiling face.

Friends and family members eulogized the boy during the church service.

Georgette Marsh, Elijah’s mother, recounted how her son would affectionately caress her hair.

"Elijah showed me love beyond his years,” she said.

“My children are my world,” Georgette added. “Even if I could spend 365 days a year with him, I’d still ask for more time.”

Curt Barry, Elijah’s father, said it “makes no sense to cry,” because one day he will be reunited with his son.

“I’m jealous of the Kingdom of Heaven, that they are able to play with him for a longer time than I was able to play with him,” he said. “I’m envious they get to see him smile and run.”

Elijah’s eight-year-old brother spoke of how the two would read books and say prayers together.

“I hope you are happy in heaven,” said the boy.

Elijah was found outside on the morning of Feb. 19, after going missing from his grandmother’s home at about 4 a.m. The three-year-old spent hours in temperatures as low as -30 C with wind chill, wearing only a T-shirt, diaper, and boots.

He was discovered without vital signs about 300 metres from the apartment and later died in hospital.

His tragic death prompted an outpouring of support from across Canada, and online fundraising efforts raised more than $173,000 to cover funeral costs.

After that response, Georgette Marsh extended an invitation to the public to attend Saturday’s service, even if they didn’t know the family personally. People also sent bouquets of flowers to the service and paid their respects on an online memorial page.

During Saturday’s service, the grieving mother told the mourners that Elijah “touched everyone that knew him.

“And in his death, he touched those he did not know."

Elijah was buried at Toronto’s Prospect Cemetery, located at 1450 St. Clair Ave. West.

With a report from CTV’s Peter Akman