They say no parent should have to bury a child, but there’s no cliché about 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 say goodbye to two boys believed to have been murdered by their mother earlier this month.
Nick Smith led mourners at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Springwood on Wednesday morning for the funeral of his sons Russ, 11, and Ben, 9.
The brothers will be together forever and buried in the same coffin.
The grieving father made a plea to local people to ensure that the memory of his sons would live on forever.
“All I ask is that every time you come back from your adventures in the Blue Mountains, please visit the boys,” he said.
“Please go talk to them and tell them about all the wonderful things you’ve done since the last time you saw or spoke to them.
‘Just sit with them and tell them about all the great adventures you’re having, all the experiences you’re having there, and just stay in touch with them.
Trish Smith (left) has been charged with the murders of her sons Russell, 11, and Ben, 9, (pictured with their father Nick) at their home in Faulconbridge, in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, on September 10.
Family and friends have gathered in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney to say goodbye to two boys who were allegedly murdered by their mother earlier this month
‘And make sure they are never forgotten and that they live on in all of you forever.’
He said his two sons were “the greatest pleasure and joy in (their loved ones’) lives.”
“Boys, it is an absolute, absolute privilege to be your father. I carry you so deeply in my heart,” Mr. Smith said.
‘You are loved by your family, by your friends, by your community, at school, by your football club, by the Panthers, by society as a whole.
“You will be so missed. You had such beautiful little lives, such beautiful, beautiful adventures.”
Mr Smith said he would ensure his sons were “never forgotten”.
“You were such great, cheeky, funny, charismatic guys,” he said. “You made the world a better place.
‘You are my world. You are my little Ben, my Russ, you are my best crew.
“I’m going to miss you two so much. Your memories are your 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 home in Faulconbridge on September 10.
Emergency services were called to the Chapman Parade home at around 12pm that day after Mr Smith called police with concerns for his welfare as his wife and children were with him.
The bodies of Russell and Ben were found by Mr Smith, who was separated from his 42-year-old wife Trish and no longer lived at the family home.
Trish Smith, who was found with multiple stab wounds, was charged with two counts of murder on September 13.
Nick Smith had released a statement the day before saying: ‘The loss of our two beautiful boys has caused unimaginable pain and suffering.
The grieving father made a plea to the grieving locals to ensure that the memory of his boys would live on forever
About 750 people turned out to wave goodbye to the two boys at the funeral in Springwood in the NSW Blue Mountains
“They were happy, funny, outgoing boys, and they were very well-liked by their family and friends,” Smith said.
‘Like other boys their age, they enjoyed sports, football, the Penrith Panthers, fishing, books, music, spending time with their friends and Max, their dog.
We appreciate the kindness and compassion of the community.
“We also ask the media to respect our need for privacy during this time and to give us the time and space we need to grieve.”
The boys’ grandfather, Geoff Densmore, said last week that he was not angry with his daughter, who reportedly suffered from a serious mental illness.
“We really don’t know what happened,” Densmore told the Daily Telegraph from his home in the NSW Central Tablelands.
“We had no idea she was sick. Many prayers and private masses were said for her.
‘Those children, they were special children, so special. I have to put them in the ground.
“You can’t imagine what it’s like. Imagine it happening to your family. I still can’t understand it, Ben… Russell. They’re gone.”
Mr Smith is supporting his wife, who remains in custody as she awaits her next court appearance.
Trish Smith’s lawyer Paul McGirr told Daily Mail Australia the estranged couple exchanged loving messages in the hours before their sons’ alleged murder.
Mourners arrive at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Springwood Wednesday morning for the funeral of Russell, 11, and Ben, nine.
The funerals of Russell, 11, and Ben, 9, were held Wednesday morning at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Springwood
Young mourners are pictured at the funeral of Russell, 11, and Ben, 9, on Wednesday morning at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Springwood
She texted him saying “I love you” the night before the boys’ bodies were found, and he replied with the same words.
“This is just an absolute tragedy for everyone,” Mr McGirr said last week. “There are parents, grandparents, cousins.
“We’re dealing with lovely families who are just completely devastated. Everyone is affected. It’s just terrible.”
According to Mr McGirr, the children’s upbringing had been largely normal until the terrible events two weeks ago.
“He didn’t live in the house anymore, but I think the separation was very amicable. He was still involved and they raised the children together,” he said.
‘They just raised the children separately, but very amicably. That’s why it’s so important that everyone in the whole family gets support.
“The whole family, from both sides, her family and his family, have been so supportive of her.”
Following the deaths of Russell and Ben, the Diocese of Parramatta Catholic Schools released a statement about their loss.
“Our Catholic school community is shocked by the tragic deaths of Ben and Russell, two pupils at Our Lady of the Nativity Primary School in Lawson,” the report said.
Students and staff of Our Lady of the Nativity can count on guidance and well-being support today and in the coming weeks.
“The care and kindness of the entire Blue Mountains community during this difficult time is greatly appreciated.”
Trish Smith appeared in Parramatta Magistrates Court via audio-visual link from Amber Laurel Correctional Centre on September 14 and did not apply for bail.
Smith is scheduled to appear in court on November 8.
