Friends and family members of three children killed in a Sanson house fire are gathering to farewell them at a funeral in Palmerston North today.

August, Hugo and Goldie, aged 7, 5 and 1, were killed in a fire on Saturday, November 15, at the family’s home in the Manawatū town.

The ceremony is taking place at the Crossroads Church in Palmerston North and livestreamed from the top of this article with the family’s permission.

A message from the family’s spokesperson, on the Givealittle to raise funds for the mother Chelsey, invited those who knew the children to celebrate their lives today.

“We want to again thank you all for the continued support shown through donations and kind messages for our friend Chelsey and her family,

“Whether you will be joining us in person, via the livestream, or in prayer on Tuesday to celebrate the lives of August, Hugo, and Goldie, we would love everyone to wear bright, cheerful colours.

“Wherever you are in the world, let’s make the day as full of light as they were.”

In a funeral notice posted on its website, Beauchamp Funeral Home also encouraged attendees to “wear bright colours” to celebrate the lives of the three children.

“Three beautiful angels taken too soon,” it said.

“Will be sadly missed by their mum Chelsey, grandparents, Lindy, Ron (deceased), Florence, and Michael and Mary; and all those who knew them.

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“United with big sister Iris in heaven. Loved beyond measure.”

Their father, Dean Field, was also found dead at the scene. Police are investigating the incident as a homicide.

Goldie (Eight days old) and Chelsey. 

Coffins adorned with flowers

The church was packed this morning with mourners in brightly coloured clothing as the family requested.

The three small coffins were adorned with bright flowers and three different shades of paint: blue for August, green for Hugo and pink for Goldie.

August’s coffin was decorated with pictures of footballs and football jerseys, Hugo’s featured dinosaurs while Goldie’s had flowers and princesses.

There was also a white chest for beloved pet dog Marlo.

‘My babies were my absolute world’ 

The children’s mother, Chelsey Field, spoke for the first time last Friday about the incident that left her “heartbroken and devastated”.

In her first public statement, Field revealed that she also lost her pet dog, Marlo, and the ashes of her stillborn baby daughter, Iris, in the blaze.

She went on to share some memories of her beloved children and the impact they had on her and their community.

Hugo and August with Goldie. The children died in a Sanson fire on Saturday, November 15. Photo / Givealittle 

“August, Hugo and Goldie were taken from me and all those who love them in the most horrible of circumstances, but I do not want their deaths to define the important, beautiful lives that they lived,” she said.

“My babies were my absolute world.”

Field said she had been a stay-at-home mother since having Hugo in 2020.

“I enjoyed so much quality time with them; trips to gymnastics, music groups, playgroups and play dates with friends. We had so much fun together and many holidays away. I will forever cherish all these special memories.”

Hugo (at 12 months) and Chelsey. 

She said August had been looking forward to celebrating his eighth birthday at Timezone next Thursday with his best friends.

In the statement, Field clarified that she and Dean were not separated at the time of the fire. They were still married and living together at the Sanson property.

To close the statement, she extended her sincere thanks to the many thousands of people around New Zealand who had “been so generous during this difficult time”.