“RIGHT WHERE HE WANTS TO BE…” Heartbroken family members gathered in Alabama this week to say goodbye to 20-year-old Weston Higginbotham, the college student who was found d3ad after disappearing during a family vacation in Japan
Weston Higginbotham’s family’s heartbreaking plans for ashes as funeral is held for student, 20, found dead on vacation
A GRIEVING family will scatter their son’s ashes in the peaceful wilderness he loved after saying a heartbreaking final goodbye.
Two benches will also be placed in his memory, giving loved ones a permanent spot to remember the adventurous college student.
James “Weston” Higginbotham is thought to have gone hiking alone and lost phone signal before being found deadCredit: gofundme
The 20-year-old died after vanishing during a family vacation to Japan in MayCredit: Instagram
James “Weston” Higginbotham’s plans were revealed during his funeral at Asbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old died after vanishing during a family vacation to Japan last month.
Rev. Mike Holley told mourners that Weston’s ashes would be spread at Oak Mountain State Park in Shelby County.
“There’ll be a place where Weston’s memory will be there and that his ashes will be scattered there,” Holley said.
The two memorial benches will be installed in quiet areas of the park surrounded by nature.
Holley described them as being placed “in beautiful, still, noiseless parts of creation.”
“Right where he wants to be,” he added.
Hundreds of friends and relatives attended the service to pay tribute to the Auburn University student.
Weston disappeared while vacationing with his parents, Nancy and Keith, and younger brother, Grayton.
The family had traveled to Japan to celebrate Grayton’s high school graduation.
Weston’s cousins shared heartbreaking stories as they remembered himCredit: YouTube/Asbury Bham
Hundreds of friends and relatives attended the service to pay tribute to the Auburn University studentCredit: Youtube/Asbury Bham
Weston was last seen leaving a train at Yamashina station in Kyoto on May 29 after a family disagreement, according to posts shared by his mother.
His parents issued desperate public appeals as an extensive search was launched.
A volunteer team later found Weston’s body outside Kyoto.
Nancy announced the devastating discovery on June 6.
“The grief we feel is impossible to put into words,” she wrote at the time.
Japanese authorities have said they do not suspect foul play.
Weston’s cause of death will not be made public.
During the funeral, relatives and friends remembered his empathy, intelligence and desire to make others feel welcome.
Family and friends gathered to honor Weston at his funeral on Wednesday in AlabamaCredit: Youtube/Asbury Bham
Weston pictured with his mother Nancy, who has been left heartbroken by his deathCredit: Instagram
“Weston had a way of making everyone feel included,” his cousin Eddie Higginbotham said.
He described Weston as “easy to smile with, easy to laugh with and always ready for something new, unexpected and maybe a little weird.”
Weston studied biosystems engineering at Auburn, with a focus on sustainability.
He was also a member of the university’s climbing and triathlon teams and Engineers Without Borders.
The student had planned to travel to Bolivia this summer to work on a project bringing water to a village in need.
His mother previously described him as a committed environmentalist who cared deeply about protecting the planet.
“A proud vegan and environmental enthusiast, he rarely went anywhere without his reusable water bottle and fork, always trying to reduce waste and live intentionally,” Nancy wrote.
“He was so kind and loved his family and friends and felt most grounded in nature.”
An endowed scholarship has now been established at Auburn University in Weston’s name.
Holley encouraged mourners to honor Weston by finding peace in nature and continuing the values he lived by.
SOURCE: Weston Higginbotham’s family’s heartbreaking plans for ashes as funeral is held for student, 20, found dead on vacation
