Christina Grimmie laid to rest; father says 'God's plan is better than my plan'

Christina Grimmie's mother, Tina, is comforted by husband Albert Grimmie during the memorial service for their daughter Christina, who was shot dead by a deranged fan.Reuters

Christina Grimmie, the Christian "Voice" singer who was fatally shot in Orlando last week, has been laid to rest in her home state of New Jersey.

She was buried after a private funeral on Thursday for family and close friends that was paid for by her "Voice" coach Adam Levine.  

A public memorial for the 22-year-old followed on Friday night at the Fellowship Alliance Chapel in Medford, New Jersey, that was adorned with large pictures of Grimmie and an illuminated cross.  

The memorial was attended by members of her family, including her father, Albert Grimmie, who spoke movingly of his continued trust in God despite his loss.

"God's plan is better than my plan. I know that for a fact. I can't hardly plan a dinner thing. No I can't. But I've argued with God, 'God, your plans are better than mine? This is ridiculous. This doesn't make sense'. But I've got to trust him," he said.

Earlier in the week, hundreds of mourners gathered for a candlelight vigil in Evesham Township, where her brother Marcus paid a touching tribute to her.

"She loved this town, she loved this state, she loved singing, she loved the Lord and she loved me and she was my baby sister," he said.

Marcus had also spoken of her Christian faith in a Facebook page remembering his beloved sister: 

"She was a partner in life. A superstar. A goofball. Introverted. And a friend to everyone. Genuinely."

He continued, "But above all ... she was my baby sister. She loved the Lord and her family and was always there for me and I honestly don't know what ill do without her."

Prior to appearing on The Voice, Grimmie was an established YouTube star with a strong social media following up to the time of her death.  One of her most popular videos was her rendition of "In Christ Alone", written by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty.

Her rendition was the opening song to the memorial service on Friday, where her aunt Kathy also paid tribute.

"Christina I am so proud of you. I love you girl. I love that you're walking with Jesus on streets of gold. I'll see you later," she said.

Grimmie was shot down by a deranged fan as she signed autographs after performing at a concert at Orlando's Plaza Live.  The gunman Kevin James Loibl took his own life when he was tackled by Marcus.

It was to mark the start of a tragic week for Orlando, with 50 people dying in an attack on a gay night club in the city the day after and a toddler being snatched and killed by an alligator at the area's Disney resort a few days later.