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Posted: 2020-03-09 00:04:53

Updated March 09, 2020 15:06:53

Hannah Clarke and her three children are laid to rest in a single shared coffin after hundreds gathered to remember the family who were brutally murdered last month.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk were among the mourners at the Brisbane service.

Ms Clarke, 31, and her children, Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3, were murdered when Ms Clarke's estranged husband, the children's father, doused them with petrol and set the car they were travelling in alight.

The children died at the scene and Ms Clarke died later in hospital from her injuries.

In the wake of the deaths there was an outpouring of grief and anger over the failure of the nation's domestic violence system to protect families.

Family friend Fiona Cunningham opened the ceremony, saying it was a time to "celebrate Hannah and her children's lives and honour their memory".

"Today we're navigating the grief of losing this family under horrific circumstances," Ms Cunningham said.

"It's their deaths that have brought us together, but it's their lives we're here to remember.

"This is an occasion for sorrow, but may the occasion not be wasted trying to make sense of why we are here, but rather may it be one where we are thankful for the gift of life and that our lives intersected theirs."

Five speakers gave readings and words of comfort, including friends of Ms Clarke as well as her brother Nat Clarke.

He called his sister "one of the greatest mums to walk this Earth".

"With brown hair and brown eyes, after you were born, Dad heard Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison on the radio on the way home and forever this would be his song for you," he said.

"We were always there for each other.

"We had the type of bond that parents want for their kids.

"There's too many great stories to tell about you Han, we got to share so many beautiful moments together.

"It kills me Han that there were years we didn't talk, but I understand that now.

"I just wished I tried harder to connect with you during those times, but I'm so grateful we got the last six months with you and the kids.

"2020 was going to be the best year … you were looking forward to finally being happy.

"I only wish there was more time. I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you Hannah, Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey."

Ms Clarke's uncle Ian Adrian said they had gathered "on the back of an act of unspeakable evil".

"For many of us, it felt like we had been shrouded in a shroud of darkness," he said.

"But it is only when we embrace this darkness that we can see the brightness of the stars shine through and that is what Hannah, Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey are — lights shining through of their generation."

Lou Farmer told the service her friend's smile would light up a room.

"Everyone who met Hannah knew she was something special," she said.

"From the moment I met her I was blown away by her positivity and zest for life.

"Aaliyah and Laianah were gorgeous, sassy and fierce like their mother.

"Han was the best role model for her daughters, she knew her worth.

"She taught them to stand up and be proud of who you are and if you fail get back up and give it another go.

"Trey was a sweet innocent boy, who always loved cuddles."

Ms Farmer said she took comfort knowing Ms Clarke was with her children.

"I see signs you are with us all the time. The rolling thunder the night you passed, you were angry and so were we."

During the service, a group of children placed colourful butterfly stickers on the white coffin.

Family and friends were given bookmarks which had a declaration Ms Clarke posted on social media before her death.

Ms Cunningham read that post during the service, and encouraged mourners to carry the words with them:

"I am a strong woman, I don't sit around feeling sorry for myself, nor will I ever let anyone mistreat me again.

"I don't respond to people trying to dictate to me or bring me down.

"I am a survivor and not a victim. I am in control of my life and there is nothing I can't achieve.

"My girls will grow up strong women who understand their worth."

Mourners were encouraged to make a donation to the Clarke family's movement, Small Steps for Hannah.

Several emergency service workers who responded to the incident attended the funeral and were thanked during the service.

Nat Clarke and other family members wheeled the coffin from the church.

Family and friends gathered for a private wake after the service.

Topics: domestic-violence, family-and-children, women, murder-and-manslaughter, crime, suicide, family-law, human-interest, people, law-crime-and-justice, grief, community-and-society, camp-hill-4152, brisbane-4000, qld

First posted March 09, 2020 11:04:53

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