The cast of Home And Away have attended the funeral of actress Jessica Falkholt 10 days after her life support was turned off.
Hundreds of family, friends and a handful o TV stars packed out St Mary’s Catholic Church at Ryde, in Sydney, on Monday to farewell Jessica which is the same place her parents Lars, 69 and Vivian, 60, and sister Annabelle, 21, were laid to rest.
The 28-year-old found fame on the small screen as Hope Morrison on TV soap Home and Away, which was described by her uncle Paul Ponticello as her ‘big break’ into the film industry.
Distraught Home And Away cast members farewell actress Jessica Falkholt at a heartbreaking funeral service a month after fatal car crash that killed her family
Past and present stars of the show including Pia Miller, Jackson Heywood, Philippa Northeast and Isabella Giovinazzo were among the mourners, many seen consoling each other after the service.
Olivia Deeble, who appeared as Jessica’s sister Raffy on the hit Channel Seven show, was overcome by emotion as she met her co-star’s family.
Also seen in attendance was Janet King actress Andrea Demetriades.
The same stars had posted on social media in the days leading up to the funeral, praising Jessica for her determination personally and professionally.
Past and present stars of the show including Pia Miller, Jackson Heywood, Philippa Northeast and Isabella Giovinazzo as well as Janet King actress Andrea Demetriades were seen exiting the church together
Mourners comforted Olivia Deeble and Pia Miller as they left the church in tears
Pia Miller (pictured comforting Olivia Deeble) had earlier posted a picture of the young celebrity on Instagram with the simply caption ‘farewell wonderful Jess’ attached to it
The two Home And Away alum hugged outside the church as the hearse drove away
Olivia Deeble, who appeared as Jessica’s sister Raffy on the hit Channel Seven show, was overcome by emotion
Pia Miller, who played police officer Kat Chapman on the show up until last season, posted a picture of the young celebrity with the simply caption ‘farewell wonderful Jess’ attached to it.
Jackson Heywood followed suit with ‘You and your beautiful soul will be so deeply missed, but always remembered. Be with your family now.
‘Goodbye you wonderful person. Love always, Jackson. May we send all support to her family and closest friends who are hurting the most. Thankyou,’ he continued.
Jackson Heywood comforts a young Olivia Deeble after the service was over
Her sister on the show, played by 15-year-old actress Olivia Deeble, said: ‘This beautiful, intelligent, fantastic woman whom I was lucky enough to call my on screen sister for four months has been taken way too soon’
Pia Miller attended the funeral along with her former Home And Away co-stars
Her sister on the show, played by 15-year-old actress Olivia Deeble, said: ‘This beautiful, intelligent, fantastic woman whom I was lucky enough to call my on screen sister for four months has been taken way too soon…
‘Rest In Peace Jess. Words can’t say how much you’ll be missed,’ he said.
Jessica and her sister Annabelle were pulled from the wreckage after their car was hit on the Princes Highway near Sussex Inlet, south of Sydney on Boxing Day last year.
Pia Miller was surrounded by mourners at the church in Ryde on Monday
Olivia Deeble greeted Jessica’s family outside the church
Jackson Heywood and Olivia Deeble hug outside the service
Pia Miller, Jackson Heywood and Olivia Deeble appeared shaken by the mass
Annabelle died three days after the crash, while her parents both died at the scene.
Jessica spent almost three weeks in a coma at St George Hospital before doctors switched off her life support system the day after the rest of her family were farewelled.
The driver of the other car, Craig Anthony Whitall, 50, also passed away.
Jessica spent almost three weeks in a coma at St George Hospital before doctors switched off her life support system