The death of an RAF veteran after a burglary was described as "atrocious" at his funeral yesterday.

Robert Morris's widow collapsed with grief and had to be supported by her son after the service at Woodvale Crematorium in Brighton.

Kathleen Morris, 82, said of the burglar: "May God forgive him" but her son Alan, 57, had no sympathy and is demanding the crime be treated as manslaughter.

Mr Morris's family is convinced the shock caused by the break-in at the family home in Marine Drive, Saltdean, brought on a stroke that killed him.

The song You'll Never Walk Alone was played as Mr Morris's wicker coffin was carried into the chapel.

A rose cut from Mr Morris's garden was in his hands, placed there by his widow.

Ann Mitchell, of the British Humanist Association, who took the service, said the death of this "gracious and gentle" man had occurred in atrocious circumstances.

"He could only watch as his wife battled with the intruder. He could not doing anything and the trauma caused the stroke which ended his life."

She described Mr Morris, 84, as a dutiful husband and father, who always put himself out for others.

She said: "He was a great family man who never bothered anyone."

Mrs Morris had to be held by her son and daughter Pat during the service.

She collapsed outside and her son and family carried her to a bench before she recovered.

Brighton and Hove police are offering £5,000 to catch the burglar and The Argus has printed hundreds of reward posters.

Mr Morris suffered a stroke days after the break-in on March 19.

He and his wife were watching TV when a door was smashed in. Mrs Morris forced the intruder out but Mr Morris, ill with Parkinson's disease, was unable to help.

A second raid happened on May 20, while Mrs Morris was visiting her husband in hospital and police think the same burglar may have been responsible. This time the intruder escaped with jewellery and antiques worth thousands of pounds.

Police are treating the case as a burglary but Mr Morris's family intend lobbying MPs and Chief Constable Ken Jones to have the inquiry upgraded.

Mr Morris died on Sunday and his widow has called it murder.Police said the case will not be dealt with as manslaughter or murder because there was no proof of a direct medical link with his death.

The suspect in the first raid was white, 30, stocky, about 5ft 2in, with shaved dark hair. Anyone with information should call Brighton CID on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.