Body of an unknown baby was found washed-up in the River Taff, Wales

Kind strangers turned up for the funeral of an unknown baby after his body was discovered near a riverbank.

The baby, who was named Sion, was buried in a beautiful service today, with around 60 people turning up to say farewell - including the policeman who found him.

The boy had faced being buried with no service, no mourners and no headstone.

Scroll down for video

An undertaker carries the tiny coffin containing the body of an unknown baby - who was named Sion - after his body was found washed up in a river

But dozens of people came out in the pouring rain to pay their respects after the body was found washed up on the banks of the River Taff, Wales.

The policeman who was first on the scene more than a year ago was among the mourners.

The poignant service was made possible by the touching generosity of strangers who donated their money to cover the costs.

Because Sion's family has never been traced, he faced a public health funeral.

But instead, more than £1,500 was raised to provide a fitting ceremony for the tiny baby and a headstone that will mark the place where he is buried in the children's section of Thornhill Cemetery.

Members of the congregation were given tiny Forget-Me-Not bears from the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, Sands, and many brought flowers and teddy bears that were buried with Sion.

Dozens of people braved the rainy weather to say goodbye to Sion at Thornhill Cemetery near Cardiff, Wales

Members of the congregation were given tiny Forget-Me-Not bears from the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, Sands

Local residents and members of the emergency services turned up for the funeral at Briwnant Chapel in Thornhill Crematorium

Heartfelt messages reading 'Goodnight God Bless Baby Sion' and flowers were placed alongside his grave

Mourners continued to donate and money was even sent to the minister who led the ceremony, Father Michael Whitcombe.

Any money left over will be donated in Sion's memory to the Sands charity.

The police officer in charge of the investigation, Mark O'Shea, was the first to speak as he read a verse from the bible.

The detective chief inspector, who was visibly moved by the ceremony, said: 'Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

More than £1,500 was raised by strangers to provide a fitting ceremony for the tiny baby whose identity it not known

The white coffin was lowered into the grave as people paid their respects - including the policeman who found the washed-up body

'We humbly entrust Sion so precious in your sight. Take him into your arms and welcome him into your gentle presence, where there is no pain.'

He placed his hand on the tiny coffin before returning to his seat.

Karen Jewell, from the midwifery team at the University Hospital of Wales, read a poem entitled These Are My Footprints, and Heather Jane Coombs from Sands also spoke at the short ceremony.

After Sion's body was found, midwives from the hospital had made an emotional appeal in the hope the baby's mother would come forward.

One mourner said: 'It was a beautiful service and so touching to see so many people turn up.

'It says a lot about community and with all the horrible stuff going on in the world it is so moving to see that people still care.'

A woman leaves flowers at the burial in Wales while nurses blow bubbles in memory of Sion after the ceremony

Emergency services on the scene along the River Taff, Cardiff, where the body of a baby was discovered in June last year