Moments from the funeral for Sanson children – eulogies, Stan Walker performance and haka
VIDEO CREDIT: Beauchamp Funeral Home
Loved entertainer Stan Walker performed a song via video at the funeral service of the three children killed in the Sanson house fire.
Walker began by saying he was sorry for the family’s loss.
“So sorry that I even have to do this video for you guys,” Walker said.
“Just want to send our love and our prayers to you guys and to the beautiful August, Hugo and Goldie.”
As Walker sang his song Bigger, mourners stood and joined in.
Shortly after the performance, the caskets of the children, August, 7, Hugo, 5, and Goldie, 1, as well their dog Marlo were taken to the awaiting hearse while the song Miles On It by Marshmello and Kane Brown played.
A resounding haka rang out for the children as their caskets were carried out.
Hundreds of people were dressed in bright colours to celebrate the lives of the trio.
Filling up the seats at Crossroads Church in Palmerston North on Tuesday, friends, family and loved ones farewelled the children and their dog.
Four decorated caskets coloured blue, green, pink were carried into the church during a karakia.
Those gathered at the church, and watching via video link learnt the song Motorcycle Drive By, by Zach Bryan, which was played at the service, was one of the children’s favourite and they regularly asked for it to be cranked up.
The mother-of-three, Chelsey Field, described the children as her “sweet beautiful brown eyed darlings”.
In a eulogy for her children,read on her behalf, Field said: “I will miss you three so much and you will know that your mum loves you forever and ever”.
She said they all had so much fun together and made many great memories that will be cherished.
“I’m so glad that I took all the photos and the videos that I did so that I can look back at them forever.”
Field said she would miss the constant calling out of ‘mum’, hearing ‘I’m hungry’ every 10 minutes and said she would miss the boys saying ‘six seven’.
August was the kind of kid who would “move on in your family picnic, eat your pizza or join you making sand castles”.
She described her youngest son Hugo as a sweet and caring boy who idolised his big brother.
Goldie, who had a fan club at school as well the local supermarket, would fall asleep anywhere and everywhere “because she was used to being lugged around her brother’s sports, school events and play dates”.
August’s school friend Levi wrote a tribute to his best friend, read out by his mother Danni.
“I wish I had a magic Uno reverse card so I could reverse this whole thing. I will miss all of the fun moments playing together with you guys. I am so sad that this has happened, but I am so lucky to have spent so much time with you all.
“Love you. Thank you.”
Mt Biggs School principal Kyle Harris said it was a privilege to share memories of August and Hugo on behalf of their teachers.
Harris said August brought “cheekiness, humour and warmth into every space he entered”.
Hugo’s time at school was far too short “but the joy, laughter and the light that Hugo carried along with the deep love he shared with August and Goldie will be remembered always”.
In a funeral notice, attendees were asked to “please wear bright colours”.
“Three beautiful angels taken too soon. Will be sadly missed by their mum Chelsey, grandparents Lindy, Ron (deceased), Florence, and Michael and Mary; and all those who knew them.”
In an earlier statement, Field said her “babies did not deserve this”. She also lost the ashes of her stillborn, Iris, who would have been nine this year.
“I have lost her ashes, photos and all her special keepsakes. I know my darlings will be reunited with their big sister.”
A Givealittle page for the mother of three has raised nearly $400,000.
The children’s father, Dean Field, was found dead at the scene of the fire. He was farewelled during a private service.
Police are treating the children’s deaths as a homicide.
SOURCE: https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360897584/funeral-children-killed-sanson-fire