Bell children farewelled with balloons

Gary Poxon with Karen, Jack and Maddie.

A funeral is being held for three children who died in an apparent murder-suicide on the New South Wales far south coast.

Hundreds of mourners have packed the big Anglican Church at Bega to farewell eight-year-old Jack Bell, his five-year-old sister Maddie and his 16-month-old brother Bon.

Their bodies were found inside a vehicle with their father, Gary Poxon, at the family home at Pericoe, near Eden, ten days ago.

A family friend, pastor John Thompson of the Seven Day Adventists, is giving the service.

He says the children's mother, Karen Bell, will make a symbolic gesture to draw attention to family violence.

"They have chosen to light a candle in commemoration of all those who have been abused," he said.

School children will release balloons in remembrance of their mates.

Ms Bell has said the responsibility for their deaths lies solely with their father.

But the NSW coroner's office said yesterday it could take up to 18 months before findings into the deaths are released.

Related:

Children killed to punish me, says mother
GARY POXON killed his three children because he was [convinced he was going to jail and therefore] could not live without them and they could not live without him, his devastated wife has said, speaking publicly for the first time about the tragedy.