They say no parent should have to bury a child, but there is no cliché that explains what to do when one of those parents is blamed for that loss.
Family and friends have gathered in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney to pay their respects to two children allegedly murdered by their mother earlier this month.
Nick Smith led mourners Wednesday morning at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Springwood for the funeral of his sons Russ, 11, and Ben, 9.
The brothers will be together forever, resting in the same coffin.
The grieving father asked locals to keep his children’s memories alive forever.
“All I ask is that whenever people come back to the Blue Mountains, when they come back from their adventures, they go and visit the boys,” he said.
‘Please go talk to them and tell them all the wonderful things you’ve done since you last saw them or last talked to them.
‘And just sit with them and tell them about the wonderful adventures you’re having, all the experiences you’re having out there and just keep that connection with them.
Trish Smith (left) has been charged with murdering her sons Russell, 11, and Ben, nine (pictured with their father Nick) at their home in Faulconbridge, in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, on September 10.
Mourners lined the driveway as the hearse drove past during the funeral in Springwood
Family and friends have gathered in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney to pay their respects to two children allegedly murdered by their mother earlier this month.
A woman is seen comforting a child at Ben and Russell Smith’s funeral
“And just make sure that they are never forgotten and make sure that they always live inside of all of you.”
She said her two children were “the greatest pleasures and joys in (her loved ones’) lives.”
“Guys, it’s been an absolute privilege to be your father. You’re all close to my heart,” Smith said.
‘You are loved by your family, by your friends, by the community, by the school, by your football club, by the Panthers, by all of society.
“We will miss you so much. You had such a beautiful life, such beautiful adventures.”
Mr Smith said he would make sure his children were “never forgotten”.
“They were wonderful kids, cheeky, funny and charismatic,” he said. “They made the world a better place.”
“You are my world. You are my little Ben, my Russ, you are my best team.
“I will miss them both very much. Their memories are their legacy.
“I love you so much. I’ll never stop loving you. No one else will either.”
The bodies of Russell and Ben, who attended nearby Our Lady of the Nativity Primary School in Lawson, were found at their Faulconbridge home on September 10.
Emergency services were called to the Chapman Parade home at around 12pm that day after Mr Smith made a call to police to express concern for the welfare of his wife and children.
The bodies of Russell and Ben were located by Mr Smith, who had separated from his wife Trish, 42, and was not living at the family home.
Trish Smith, who was found with multiple stab wounds, was charged with two counts of murder on Sept. 13.
Nick Smith released a statement the day before saying: ‘The loss of our two beautiful children has caused unimaginable pain and heartbreak.
The grieving father made a plea to grieving locals to ensure that the memory of his sons lives on forever.
Around 750 mourners attended the funeral in Springwood in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.
“They were happy, fun, outgoing kids who were much loved by their family and friends,” Smith said.
‘Like other boys their age, they loved sports, football, the Penrith Panthers, fishing, books, music, spending time with their friends and Max, their puppy.
‘We appreciate the kindness and compassion shown by the community.
“We also ask that the media respect our need for privacy at this time and give us the time and space we need to grieve.”
The children’s grandfather, Geoff Densmore, said last week that he was not angry with his daughter, who was believed to be suffering from serious mental illness.
“We don’t really know what happened,” Densmore told the Daily Telegraph from his home in New South Wales’ Central Tablelands.
“We had no idea she was unwell. Many private prayers and masses have been said for her.
‘Those children were special children, very special. I have to put them in the ground.
“You can’t imagine what it’s like. Imagine if it had happened to your family. I still can’t understand it, Ben… Russell. They’re gone.”
Mr Smith has been supportive of his wife, who remains in custody pending her next court appearance.
Trish Smith’s lawyer, Paul McGirr, told the Daily Mail Australia that the estranged couple exchanged loving messages in the hours leading up to their children’s alleged murders.
Mourners arrive at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Springwood on Wednesday morning for the funeral of 11-year-old Russell and nine-year-old Ben.
Funerals for Russell, 11, and Ben, nine, were held Wednesday morning at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Springwood.
Young mourners are photographed at the funeral of Russell, 11, and Ben, nine, on Wednesday morning at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Springwood.
She texted him “I love you” the night before the children’s bodies were found and he responded with the same words.
“This is an absolute tragedy for everyone,” McGirr said last week. “There are the parents, the grandparents, the cousins.
“We’re dealing with lovely families who are absolutely devastated. Everyone is suffering. It’s horrible.”
Mr McGirr said that until the horrific events two weeks ago, much of the couple’s co-parenting had continued as normal.
“He didn’t live in the house, but I think it was a very amicable split and he was still very involved and they were raising the kids together,” she said.
‘They were simply raising the children separately, but in a very friendly way. That’s why it’s so important that all family members receive support.
‘The whole family on both sides, her family and his, have been incredibly supportive.’
Following the deaths of Russell and Ben, the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Parramatta issued a statement on their loss.
“Our Catholic school community is devastated by the tragic deaths of Ben and Russell, two students at Our Lady of the Nativity Elementary School in Lawson,” he said.
‘Counseling and wellbeing support is available to Our Lady of the Nativity students and staff today and will continue to be provided in the coming weeks.
“The care and kindness of the wider Blue Mountains community at this difficult time is greatly appreciated.”
Trish Smith appeared before Parramatta Local Court via audio-visual link from Amber Laurel Correctional Centre on 14 September and did not apply for bail.
Smith is due back in court on November 8.