A family has spoken out following a heartbreaking turn of events as a father tragically died at his son's funeral.
The devastating sequence of events left a family in shock, as Norman White, 61, collapsed just as his son's coffin was being carried into St Bede's Chapel, per the Sun.
Norman's sudden death occurred during the funeral for his son, David Beilicki, who had sadly passed away on July 31, 2025, after a long battle with addiction.
The moment Norman collapsed, emergency crews quickly rushed to the scene, and he was taken to a nearby hospital with his sister by his side.
Unfortunately, the family received the heartbreaking news that Norman, a father of seven, had passed away shortly after.
Did Grief Lead to His Death?
Norman’s daughter, Chantelle Beilicki, explained that her father had no prior history of heart conditions and believed the immense emotional toll of losing his son led to his tragic death.
Chantelle, who was with her family at the chapel, recalled the traumatic moment, saying that when she got to the chapel she did not know where he dad was, per Teesside Live.
She believes that her father's sudden death could have been a result of a "broken heart".
She further explained that seeing the family together may have been too much for Norman.
The Family’s Heartbreaking Loss and the Ongoing Investigation
David Beilicki, 41, had been staying with Chantelle and her family in Overdale Road, Park End, and had been working on his recovery after a long struggle with addiction.
His death came as a shock to the family, especially since he had been making progress in staying clean.
Tragically, he was found dead on a relative’s sofa, a victim of his ongoing battle with substance abuse. His passing occurred exactly 10 years after he had attended a memorial service for his stillborn twin sons, Karson and Deacon.
Chantelle explained the heartbreaking impact of David's death on the family, stating that her kids are "devastated."
David, a father to his grown son Ethan and young son Jaxon, was remembered fondly by those who knew him for his big heart and his positive strides towards recovery.
Despite his struggles, his family cherished him deeply
An investigation into the cause of David’s death is currently ongoing, and his funeral took place on August 21, 2025. The family is still trying to process the tragic sequence of events.
For Chantelle, the entire experience felt surreal.
The emotional toll of losing both her brother and her father in such a short span of time has left her reeling.
As Norman’s family members continued with the funeral service, emergency personnel worked tirelessly to save him.
Chantelle later praised the staff at Rose Funerals for their professionalism and compassion during the traumatic event.
She explained that despite suffering trauma themselves, they made the day run smoothly and were incredibly supportive.
Norman’s Legacy
Norman was a well-loved figure in the community, known for his passion for boxing. He had spent much of his life training others in the sport and was described as a "popular and well-liked" figure.
Chantelle fondly recalled her dad’s influence, saying: "He was my dad and I idolised him."
The White family has been left shattered by the loss of two beloved family members within such a short period.
The tragedy has left an enormous void, and Chantelle is struggling to come to terms with it. "I think I’m still in shock, it hasn’t really hit me yet," she admitted, expressing the overwhelming grief she’s felt since that day.
A funeral service for Norman White is scheduled for September 18.
If you or someone you know is battling addiction, please reach out for help and contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) or go to https://findtreatment.gov/