Warning: This story discusses family harm, suicide and mental health, and may upset some readers.
A private funeral service has already been held for the father who died, along with his three children, in Sanson.
A funeral notice for Dean Field said he was an “adored dad”, “dearly beloved son” and “deeply loved and respected uncle”. A private service has been held at the family’s request.
It’s understood Field killed his children August, Hugo, and Goldie Field, aged 7, 5 and 1 in a suspected murder-suicide at the family home on November 15. Police are treating the incident as a homicide.
A separate funeral service for the three children will be held on Tuesday.
Field’s brother Mark told Stuff on Tuesday everyone in their family was just trying to comprehend the tragedy.
“From our point of view, until he was 36 years old he had been nothing but a loving father… he was just a broken man.”
Mark Field also added his brother felt empty for the six days before the suspected murder-suicide.
SOURCE: https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360897674/private-service-held-sanson-father