Memorial Service for Emily Finn

On Sunday, over 1,000 mourners gathered at a Long Island funeral home to pay their respects to Emily Finn. Many attendees donned pink, celebrating the vibrant spirit of the teenage girl who tragically lost her life in a serious accident related to a botched suicide attempt.

Inside Rayner & D’Andrea Funeral Home in West Sayville, tributes included Emily’s pink ballet shoes, a poster showcasing her beaming smile alongside her high school marching band flute, and a display of her academic achievements. Emily, just 18, was reportedly shot by her ex-boyfriend.

Her heartbroken mother, Crianza, wore a pink sweater as part of the family’s effort to honor Emily’s fondness for the color. Numerous pink ribbons, boots, jackets, and bows adorned the venue.

“She had a special spark,” remembered Heather, a friend of Emily’s. “She was full of life, and her love for her family—including her siblings and grandparents—was immense.”

Sadly, Heather added, “All she wanted was to do good in the world, and now that’s all been taken away. I can’t stop crying.”

The ex-boyfriend, Austin Lynch, now 18, faces second-degree murder charges after allegedly fatally shooting Emily in her Nesconset home during Thanksgiving break. Afterward, he reportedly attempted to take his own life.

Emily, who had recently graduated from Sayville High School, was a dedicated ballet dancer and had trained at the American Ballet Studio in Bayport, even landing the lead role in “The Nutcracker” last year. At the time of her death, she was pursuing a teaching degree at the State University of New York at Oneonta.

Plans for her cremation include placing her ashes in a pink box at the funeral home, accompanied by pink flowers and both baby and recent photos.

Emily’s father, Ryan, and brother, Kyle, embraced grieving friends and family during the service. One friend, who identified herself only as Haley, shared, “Emily was simply the best—an incredible dancer, a loyal friend, and a devoted family member. I keep picturing her alive and smiling among all of us. I’m absolutely devastated.”

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office has stated that Lynch, who has recently joined the Marine Corps, will be charged with murder once he has fully recuperated from his injuries.