The bright sunshine did little to raise spirits at St Stephens Uniting Church as family and friends gathered to farewell Sydney siege victim Tori Johnson on Tuesday morning.
The Lindt cafe manager's father, artist Ken, and mother, his former wife Rosemary, arrived at the church in a sombre mood despite wishing to make the day a "celebration", according to friends. Tori's parents were flanked by his partner of 14 years, Thomas Zinn, Tori's brother James, who has flown from Canada in the wake of the horrific events and Tori's sister Radha Estrom, who is speaking at the funeral which is taking place just steps away from the scene of the ordeal that left two hostages dead.
Coming together in a tight embrace, the group hugged before making the short walk past the white hearse and coffin, the men acting as pallbearers to the 34-year-old, who died from gunshot wounds after a struggle with gunman Man Haron Monis more than 16 hours after the siege began.
Before the hour-long service began shortly after 11am, invited friends and relatives made their way into the church alongside Lord Mayor Clover Moore, NSW Governor David Hurley and Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione with wife Joy. Also paying their respects are Malcolm Turnbull with wife Lucy.
Premier Mike Baird, who has visited Martin Place several times in the week following the siege, arrived with hostages Joel Herat, Fiona Ma, Elly Chen and Jieun Bae.
Fellow hostage Harriette Denny made her way calmly into the church before a distraught and sobbing Selina Win Pe walked from Martin Place, flowers in hand and held tightly by the youngest hostage, Jarrod Hoffman.
It is understood that floral tributes from the funeral are to be placed among those forming the ever-growing sea of bouquets in Martin Place. In consultation with the families of the victims, the spontaneous and vast memorial is being removed from the precinct today.
