Samantha Rowlands was forced to live every parent's worst nightmare on Saturday when she farewelled her one-year-old son Jone after a tragic accident earlier this month
With tears streaming down her face, surrounded by her devastated family, Samantha Rowlands did something no parent should ever have to do.
After a tragic accident earlier this month, where her one-year-old son Jone Dagese Radaniva was found dead inside a hot car in her driveway, on Saturday Ms Rowlands, her partner, and her five other children farewelled the 'cheeky little boy' who had brought laughter to their full household.
Jone had been in the car with Ms Rowlands, his twin Esala and his grandmother on February 3. Ms Rowlands said it was a simple miscommunication that meant he was left behind in the 35-degree heat, and only found outside their home in Chester Hill, in Sydney's west, two hours later.
'My daughter told me she thought Jone was in bed with my mum, and my mum thought he was out the back playing, until my daughter came inside looking for him and they realised he was missing,' an emotional Ms Rowlands explained to Daily Mail Australia last week.
Jone was beloved by his siblings, and by his devoted mother and grandmother. In an emotional service at Rookwood Crematorium on Saturday morning, dozens of mourners heard how Jone was always first to the door when guests arrived, and how Esala, the twin he left behind, was his partner in crime.
His eight-year-old sister Sapphire, who made the heartbreaking discovery earlier this month, treated him as though he were her own child, and his grandmother would remark that the toddler's fascination with powerpoints could lead to a successful future as an electrician.
Celebrant Carolyn Wilson was keen to remind mourners that Jone's death was nothing but a tragic accident, with Ms Rowlands, who had been at a rugby game when the tragedy unfolded, also keen to ensure nobody felt blame for the heartbreaking death of her son.
'The most important thing you must remember is that no-one is to blame,' Ms Wilson told the congregation.
'Although we can not change what has unfolded, you must be grateful for the gift of knowing and loving Jone.'
Jone Dagese Radaniva, 22 months, died inside a hot car outside his family home in Chester Hill, western Sydney, on February 3 after a simple but tragic miscommunication
His family, including older brother Bryan (left), sister Sapphire (bottom centre), mother Samantha (top centre) and grandmother Valerie (right) gathered with dozens of other mourners at Rookwood to say goodbye on Saturday morning
Ms Rowlands, who has five other children, was visibly distraught through the service, but was seen comforting her children through their own grief
In one heartbreaking moment, she was seen holding Jone's twin, Esala, and pointing to the toddler's coffin as it laid on blue tulle, surrounded by teddy bears, inside the hearse
The tiny coffin was carried in by devastated family as a didgeridoo played out the front of the chapel
Ms Rowlands walked inside with her son for the final time, before taking her seat in the front row for the moving service
Ms Rowlands sat in the front row of the chapel after heading inside with her son's pallbearers as a didgeridoo played out the front.
She was comforted by family members earlier in the day, and at one point was seen holding Esala, while pointing to his twin's coffin, as though she was explaining what was happening.
At all times, the devastated mother was flanked by family members, as each took turns holding Esala.
Family members made their own tributes, using poems to express their despair and heartbreak.
Grandmother Valerie, who had been inside the house when little Jone died, said she would 'never be complete again', in a moving poem read out by Ms Wilson.
'To no longer see your face, breaks me every day,' the poem began.
'I'll never be complete again, I never will be free, from this grief deep inside of me. I wear a mask of coping, but am in complete despair. I cannot mend what's broken, my heart's beyond repair.
'I'll smile if I have to, but that is just a mask, and I'll say that I'm okay, if you kindly ask. But I cannot be happy, it is something that I lack, never will I be whole again, because I cannot get you back.'
Jone (pictured) was remembered as a cheeky little boy who brought light and laughter to the lives of everyone he met
Grandmother Valerie (pictured right) was also visibly distraught ahead of the service, and a moving poem explaining her deep heartache was read out by celebrant Carolyn Wilson
Like Valerie, Ms Rowlands was too emotional to address
