Family and friends of conjoined twins
Faith Daisy and Hope Alice Howie have paid their tributes to the pair
during an emotional memorial service held in Sydney's west today.
The
family of the miracle twins, who died 19 days after they were born,
wore pink at the chapel of the Pinegrove Memorial Park, Minchinbury, to
honour the little girls who passed away due to complications resulting
from their condition.
The
pair were born on May 8 with an extremely rare condition known as
disrosopus - which led to the twins being born with one body and two
faces.
Family and friends, including the girls' father,
Simon Howie (right) carry their casket out of the Chapel of the
Pinegrove Memorial Park
Relatives including the twins' mother
(centre) gather outside the chapel in a heartfelt embrace for conjoined
twins Faith and Hope
Faith and Hope's mother Renee (left) and father
Simon (centre) held white and pink balloons which were carried to the
burial site and released as the girls were laid to rest
Two of Faith and Hope's sisters held heart-shaped wreaths of flowers, which were placed over the grave
Faith and Hope were laid to rest by their father
Simon (right), uncle Paul Young (centre) and grandfather at the burial
site of the Pinegrove Memorial Park in Western Sydney
Simon and Renee threw roses into the grave, watched on by Pastor Trish Rooney, who conducted the
Mourners release a flock of 19 white doves into the air
The parents of Faith and Hope release of one 19 doves that represent each of the days the girls were alive
White balloons are set a loft at the conclusion of the service
Mr Young encouraged his
sister to remember the moments she share with Faith and Hope, like: 'the
way they just settled in your arms.'
'They were born into a life of love no matter how long they lived.
'In the words of Winnie the Pooh: "Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart,'" he said.
Mr Young also paid tribute to nursing staff at Westmead Children's Hospital, where the girls were born and treated.
Two
of Faith and Hope's sisters Jessica and Angel, who both wore flowers in
their hair in honour of their sisters shared a poem written for the
girls.
They called Faith and Hope 'true angels gracing the earth' and said they were 'much too unique and perfect for this world.'
The girls also honoured their parents for loving the girls 'regardless of negative energies people threw at them.'
Pastor
Trish Rooney, the Uniting Church chaplain at Westmead Children's
Hospital who conducted the funeral service said: 'What happened today
was not an act of god, nor is it God's will.'
'Faith
and Hope, know that you were born into love and now are farewelled with
that same love,' said Pastor Rooney who baptised the girls at Westmead
Hospital soon after their birth.
The scene from inside the chapel during the memorial
The loving family of conjoined twins Faith Daisy and Hope Alice Howie farewell the girls at a memorial service in Sydney's west
Parents Simon Howie and Renee Young watch over their beautiful daughters at today's memorial service
Faith Daisy and Hope Alice Howie passed away from complications resulting from their rare condition
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