Sapphire-Hope and Couch will be buried together, sharing a casket to ensure they will be together forever.<\/p>\n
Rose-Maree\u2019s parents, Shiree and Neville, spoke of a beloved daughter and youngest child.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe had empathy for people, she didn\u2019t like to think of anybody hurting, or anything being wrong,\u201d Shiree said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt shouldn\u2019t have to be this way. I would gladly take their place,\u201d Neville said.<\/p>\n
Hundreds attended the emotional service. Photo \/ Jazlyn Whales<\/p>\n
They spoke of Sapphire-Hope as \u201ctheir little beacon of shining light\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cSapphy was our sassy baby, she would stand there and say \u2018don\u2019t laugh at me Nanny\u2019,\u201d Shiree said.<\/p>\n
Neville described her as a \u201clittle angel\u201d.<\/p>\n
They both thanked the community for their support.<\/p>\n
Rose-Maree\u2019s sister, Tania, said they would both be in the hearts of the family.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo matter how much time passes, we will never forget you both, with you both in our hearts and in our memories,\u201c she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know we cannot bring you back, bring you both back, although we wish we could.<\/p>\n
\u201cA piece of us went with you both the days you both grew your wings. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe love you now, and forever, Rose and Sapphy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mourners filled Linwood Crematorium to remember 3-year-old Sapphire-Hope Couch, also known as Sapphy, and her 23-year-old mother Rose-Maree Couch.<\/p>\n
Jamie, Sapphire-Hope\u2019s father and Couch\u2019s partner, said Sapphy was a \u201cdaddy\u2019s girl\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m gonna miss hearing Dad, Daddy, Dad. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe was such a daddy\u2019s girl. I\u2019m holding you tight, and I\u2019ll always love you to the day I get to see you again.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said Couch was his \u201cbeautiful other half\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re the best thing to ever happen to me, and I\u2019m lost without you. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re such a beautiful soul, kind-hearted person that loved your music.\u201d<\/p>\n
Children\u2018s song Baby Shark was played as Couch\u2019s children and Sapphire-Hope\u2018s siblings paid tribute.<\/p>\n
The casket was signed by those in attendance, covered in messages of love.<\/p>\n
A haka was performed to honour them.<\/p>\n
Toddler with \u2018infectious smile\u2019 and her \u2018devoted\u2019 mother remembered<\/p>\n
In a statement earlier provided to the Herald, the family described Sapphire-Hope as a sassy little girl, and Couch as a devoted mother<\/a> with a \u201cheart of gold\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cSapphy had an infectious smile that could light up any room. She was full of personality, definitely the boss among her siblings, and had so much sass.<\/p>\n \u201cShe loved spending one-on-one time with her parents, especially cuddles and sneaking treats from the chocolate stash.\u201d<\/p>\n The family said Rose-Maree was \u201cgentle\u201d by nature and died peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones.<\/p>\n \u201cRose was deeply loved by her family, friends, and the wider community.<\/p>\n \u201cShe had a heart of gold and was always there to offer support, kindness, or a listening ear to anyone in need.<\/p>\n \u201cGentle and quiet by nature, she was also fiercely protective of her children and devoted to those she loved.\u201d<\/p>\n They said Jamie, Sapphire-Hope\u2019s father and Couch\u2019s partner, had been left devastated by their deaths.<\/p>\n The family praised Shane Hall, the father of two of the surviving children, calling him a \u201chero\u201d for rescuing four children from the burning house.<\/p>\n \u201cWords cannot truly express how grateful we are. In our eyes, you are a hero,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease know how deeply we love and appreciate you, and that we will always stand beside you and support you through this time.\u201d<\/p>\n The family said the pair \u201cmeant everything\u201d to their wh\u0101nau and everyone whose lives they touched.<\/p>\n \u201cThis has been an incredibly difficult time for our wh\u0101nau, and we are still coming to terms with this sudden and devastating loss.<\/p>\n \u201cRose\u2019s parents Shiree and Neville are also facing the heartbreaking loss of their precious daughter and granddaughter.\u201d<\/p>\n The family thanked emergency services, including police, fire crews, ambulance staff, ICU teams and the Children\u2019s High Dependency Unit for their care and dedication.<\/p>\n They also acknowledged support from the Christchurch Methodist Mission.<\/p>\n \u201cWe would also like to thank Nancy and the Christchurch Methodist Mission, who have supported everyone affected by the fire by helping provide clothing, bedding, and other essentials for Jay, Shane, the four children, and Rose-Maree\u2019s mother.\u201d<\/p>\n The family said they had been overwhelmed by community support and donations to a Givealittle page<\/a> set up after the tragedy.<\/p>\n They said any remaining money after funeral costs would be divided equally between the four surviving children.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who has been part of Rose-Maree and Sapphy\u2019s lives, and to everyone who has supported us in any way, whether through actions, donations, or messages.\u201d<\/p>\nTributes were laid outside the family home where a fire broke out on May 14. Photo \/ Claire Sherwood<\/p>\n