The funerals of all of the men took place on the following Wednesday the 2nd February 1938 and the photographs above show the funeral procession of 7 of the men who were Catholics processing from St Patrick's Church through Market Street (left) and onto the cemetry via the Howe Road (right). The funerals of the other two men Joseph Kelly and Peter Walker who were Protestants, took place on the same day from their homes to their family burial plots.

Matt O'Neil in his book 'Dumbreck: a private inquiry' says: "In Kilsyth early on Tuesday evening, the coffins of the 7 Roman Catholic victims were taken to St Patrick's church to lie before the altar overnight. The processions made their way from the homes of the deceased, the coffins being carried by relays of men through the streets to the church in Low Craigends. A great many people followed behind each of the coffins. The bodies of James Martin from Croy and his brother Robert from Queenzieburn were brought in by hearse.

On the Wednesday morning three Masses were held in St Patrick's church with the 10 o'clock service taken by Canon Macnamara, having by far the largest congregation. The funerals of the victims took place on Wednesday afternoon..."

The Kilsyth Chronicle published on Friday the 5th Februray 1938 said "...seven deep in parts it (the funeral procession) took nearly fifteen minutes to pass any given point. There were no conveyances in this mournful procession - everybody walked. Neither were there any flowers. Many Catholic Clergy came behind Croy Parish Band, which led the procession... ...as well as the Provost and Magistrates. Mr Tom Cassells, MP was there.

It was expected that the funeral procession would start at 3:45 pm but it was well after 4pm before St Patrick's Church was left, so great was the throng which wished to accompany the cortege. The procession took almost an hour to complete the tragic journey, there being periodic stoppages for the changing of pallbearers. The majority of householders in the streets had drawn their blinds as a mark of respect and all places of business had ceased work.

Peter Walker's coffin was carried from Kirklands Crescent to the cemetery, the Salvation Army band accompanying. The main procession was so late that the graveside service, which was conducted by Mr James Reid, superintendant of the Westport Hall Sabbath School, was practically concluded before the arrival of the other corteges.

Joseph Kelly's remains were brought by hearse from Twechar, a short service having been conducted at the house by Rev. Gordon Ewan, Twechar Pipe Band and Kilsyth Burgh Band accompanying the march. At the graveside Rev. Ewan conducted a short service and the pipeband played the lament.

The seven Catholics were interred in one grave, while separate graves were used for the the burial of Joseph Kelly and Peter Walker. Thomas Martin who escaped the tragic fate of his comrades, was able to attend the funeral and even assisted in carrying one of the coffins.

All the local ministers, except Mr Kelt, who was from home, were present. Canon Macnamara took the service in St Patrick's church and Rev. Father Dolan, Croy officiated at the graveside. Canon McManus, Stirling, was also present in the church.The Catholic clergy in the procession included Rev Fathers Harold and Kerr, Kilsyth, Fathers Dolan and O'Brien, Croy, Fathers Murray, McSparran and Littlejohn, formerly of Croy, Father Quill, Bonnybridge; Father McHugh, Falkirk and Father Wheelan, Lennoxtown.

The children from St Patrick's School, which was closed for the afternoon, chanted at the graveside as the coffins were lowered."

The Scotsman Newspaper on the 3rd of February 1938 said “Scottish Pit Disaster - Funeral of Victims at Kilsyth - The nine victims of the Dumbreck Colliery disaster were buried in Kilsyth Cemetery yesterday. Almost all the public works and places of business were closed for the afternoon. The coffins of the seven Roman Catholic victims were carried from St Patrick 's Church to the graveside by miners and relatives, and were interred in one grave. Several thousand people lined the funeral route. The funeral of the two Protestant victims, James Kelly, of Twechar, and Peter Walker, of Kilsyth, took place from their homes. A service which was held in St Patrick's Church was presided over by the Rev. Father Harold*, who descended the pit on Sunday evening, and administered the last rites. The funeral procession of the Roman Catholic victims was preceded by Croy Band. The mourners included relatives, Magistrates, and other members of the Town Council of Kilsyth miners' Union representatives, and mining officials.”

*In fact we know that it was Canon Macnamara who took the funeral service at St Patrick's and not as was misreported by The Scotsman, Fr Harold.

Fr Harold was at that time the Parish Priest of St Marie's in Kirkaldy in Fife but had returned to Kilsyth on the Sunday after hearing of the disaster. He had been the assistant priest in St Patrick's Kilsyth during the period 1923 to 1928 when a previous mining disaster had hit the town in July 1923. Then eight men had been killed and three injured in an explosion in the Gartshore no. 3 pit and he knew first hand of the trauma and emotion that another such tragedy could bring. So it was Fr Harold who upon his arrival at the pit head was asked to don protective clothing and a hard hat and decend into the pit with the rescue workers to administer the last rites to the men who had by that time already been found dead, overcome by smoke.