Irish climber texted wife hours before falling to his death on Mt Everest

A heartbreaking text message an Irish climber killed on Mt Everest sent his pregnant wife hours before falling to his death was revealed at a farewell for the 39-year-old.

The world's tallest mountain has claimed the lives of 11 climbers in the past 10 days.

Queues on Everest have made headlines worldwide, after pictures surfaced of nearly 300 climbers stuck in what's charmingly called "the death zone".

Seamus Lawless was one of those who died after reaching the summit. He was farewelled at a funeral on Wednesday morning (local time), The Sun reports.

Parish priest Michael O'Kelly told those in attendance at the funeral that, upon reaching the summit, Lawless sent his wife a text message saying: "I love you - I'm coming home".

Lawless wanted to climb Everest before he turned 40, The Sun reports.

"During the past week, I had the chance to go through a book of memories his wife Pam has," friend Rob Ward said at the funeral. "Rest in peace my friend."

Father O'Kelly said Lawless didn't take the normal route in life.

"His words have taken on a new meaning and a new summit."

Newshub.