Mark Black / AP

Mourners line up to attend the wake of Notre Dame student Declan Sullivan, of Long Grove, Ill.

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. - Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly and several of the team's players were among several hundred mourners Monday at the funeral of a student killed last week when a tower from which he was videotaping a practice toppled over.

A bell tolled as an altar boy holding aloft a large crucifix led Declan Sullivan's casket out of the St. Mary Catholic Church following the 90-minute funeral service in suburban Chicago.

A somber-looking Kelly descended the steps of the yellow-brick church a few minutes later, as did star Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o and half a dozen other members of the team.

Sullivan had been on a scissor lift last Wednesday that fell as wind gusts reached around 50 mph. Kelly didn't speak to reporters Monday, but said over the weekend that it was his decision to hold practice outdoors on a windy day.

During the service, Kelly and the players spoke briefly to the student's parents, Sullivan's uncle, Mike Miley, told reporters afterward. At the family's request, reporters were not permitted inside the church.

Sullivan's sister, Wyn, told attendees her brother's life was a spark, and though he died too young, that spark would continue through others he touched, Miley said.

Notre Dame's vice president for student affairs, the Rev. Tom Doyle, delivered the homily, telling attendees "to let go of the things that give you pain and ascend to a stream that will give you joy," Miley said, paraphrasing Doyle.

The packed church in Buffalo Grove, not far from Sullivan's hometown of Long Grove, listened to family members perform Irish music. Among the flowers laid by the casket, many were sent by universities from around the country, Miley said.

Kelly had said Saturday that dealing with Sullivan's death was especially difficult because he had gotten to know him personally as they spent time together in the film and video offices.

State regulators have launched an investigation into the accident to see if the school violated safety rules by allowing Sullivan to shoot the practice from the lift on a blustery day.

Two buses brought dozens of Notre Dame students from South Bend to attend the funeral, Miley said. He added that the Sullivans have been grateful for the emotional support Notre Dame administrators and students have provided.

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