Doves and balloons in the shape of rosary beads rose into the air as thousands of mourners surrounded the coffins of three western Sydney children
The Abdallah siblings Sienna, 8, Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13, were killed when a car mounted an Oatlands footpath as they went for ice cream last Saturday.
The children died at the scene alongside their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11.
About 2,000 people filled Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park on Monday morning to farewell the siblings.
The employees of Danny Abdallah, the children's father, formed a guard of honour outside the church as white hearses arrived.
A coffin of one of the Sydney children killed by an alleged drink-driver at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral, Monday, 10 February, 2020. Source: AAP
Wearing white polo shirts emblazoned with the logo of Mr Abdallah's construction business, hundreds of people linked arms to line the church driveway while other mourners held white roses.
Bells tolled as pallbearers, wearing navy suits with pink shirts to represent the children's genders, carried the coffins into the church for their joint funeral.
Monsignor Shora Maree in his homily addressed Mr Abdallah and the children's mother Leila Geagea, saying "we're not going to forget that hill" in Oatlands, just as Jesus' crucifixion site of Calvary was not forgotten.
Hundreds have attended the funerals of three NSW siblings killed by an alleged drink driver. ( Source: AAP
The couple sat directly in front of the three white coffins flanking their daughter, who cried at points during the service.
Ms Geagea took the stage to pray, asking God for the comfort of the Holy Spirit for her family during their "hour of pain".
On the last day he spent with his father, Antony told Mr Abdallah he wanted to dedicate his basketball game to NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who had died the week before, Mons Shora said.
The 13-year-old's coffin was draped with Bryant's No.24 LA Lakers jersey.
"God has taken them to the most wonderful celebration in heaven - they're alive," Mons Shora told the congregation.
After receiving communion, Ms Geagea kissed each of the framed pictures of Sienna, Angelina and Antony at the front of the church.
Mourners during the funeral for Anthony Abdallah, 13, Angelina Abdallah, 12, and Sienna Abdallah, 8, at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Sydney. Source: AAP
The couple wrapped their arms around each other as they followed the coffins out of the church, where the photos of the children were held aloft as some raised their arms and clapped as drums played.
As white doves and balloons strung together in the shape of a rosary chain were released, silence fell among the thousands gathered outside.
The children will be buried in a private service.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and the prime minister's wife, Jenny Morrison, were among those at the service.
A representative for the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, General Joseph Aoun, was also in attendance.
A contingent of about 100 students from the Kings School and Tara Anglican School, which the children attended, were also at the service.
A prayer said on behalf of both schools thanked God for the friendships students had had with the Abdallah children: "May we cherish all the good times we had together. Fly high, little angels."
Hundreds of people have visited the Oatlands crash site since the tragedy to pay their respects and lay flowers.
12-year-old Angelina, 13-year-old Antony and 8-year-old Sienna Abdallah were killed in the crash. Source: Supplied
Samuel William Davidson, 29, was allegedly three times the legal blood alcohol limit when he is said to have driven into the children.
He's been charged with 20 offences, including four counts of manslaughter, and is due to next appear in court in April.
A funeral service for Veronique is scheduled for Tuesday morning at the Santa Sabina college chapel in Strathfield.
