CFB VALCARTIER, Que. — About 300 people attended a funeral on Thursday for Jonathan Couturier, the 131st Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan.

Couturier, who was promoted posthumously to corporal from private, died Sept. 17 when his armoured truck struck an improvised explosive device.

Following Couturier's death, relatives voiced their opposition to the war, calling his death "pointless."

His brother and sister-in-law lambasted the mission and said the 23-year-old soldier died for a cause he himself considered hopeless.

Despite his pessimism about the success of the mission, he tried to stay positive, they said.

None of the family members wanted to speak to reporters at the funeral at CFB Valcartier, near Quebec City.

Maj. Christian Martin said Couturier's family are still struggling with their loss.

"To be honest with you, I have met the mother and father on several occasions over the last few days and it's very hard to explain it to them," Martin said.

"But they understand it was their son's job, that he was doing his job."

Martin said the parents "are proud" of their son, regardless of their thoughts about the mission.

Couturier was born in Loretteville, near Quebec City, and joined the Canadian Forces in March 2006.

He was a member of 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment, and had been in Afghanistan since last April.