Hundreds of mourners dressed in every colour of the rainbow have gathered to celebrate the life of Laos poisoning victim Bianca Jones.
Ms Jones died surrounded by her devastated family in a Bangkok hospital on November 21, while her best friend Holly Bowles died a day later.
The 19-year-olds from Beaumaris in Melbourne‘s southeast had been on holiday in Laos and were among six foreign nationals who died in a suspected mass methanol poisoning event in the popular tourist town of Vang Vieng.
A funeral service for Ms Jones was held at her former school Mentone Girl’s Grammar in Melbourne’s south-east on Friday.
Guests were asked to wear bright, springtime colours and to give to a GoFundMe fundraiser in lieu of bringing flowers.
Ms Jones’ family said they were hoping to spend ‘the most important day’ of their lives farewelling and grieving their beautiful daughter.
‘Bianca was a private young woman, with a wonderful network, but she was not a celebrity,’ they said in a statement.
‘It is our wish Bianca be farewelled in a manner that reflects her life.’
Hundreds of mourners dressed in colourful clothing have gathered to celebrate the life of Laos poisoning victim Bianca Jones (pictured)
Bianca Jones’ father Mark is seen carrying his daughter’s coffin covered in pink roses. The father of Holly Bowles, who also died in Laos, is seen behind him
Bianca Jones’ mother is seen on the left being supported by the mother of Holly Bowles. The family’s golden retriever, Zara, was also at the service
Ms Jones’ father is seen being comforted by a mourner as emotions ran high at the service
The service for Ms Jones was held at her former school Mentone Girl’s Grammar on Friday
They added: ‘The immense love shown by so many is a testament to the profound impact she had, reflected in the scale of today’s farewell.
‘We remain committed to ensuring that awareness of Bianca, Holly and others, internationally impacted by this tragic story, continue.
‘Their legacies are far too important to be forgotten and our children’s lives are too important not to protect.’
Tearful young mourners could be seen walking in to the school’s auditorium where the sounds of hymns and the song Ave Maria could later be heard coming from.
Attorney General Mark Dreyfus attended the service and was pictured carrying a large bunch of flowers on the way in.
Attendees wore red-ribbons across their hearts, which had been made by the school pupils earlier in the week.
It is estimated that over 1,000 people were in attendance.
Ms Jones and Ms Bowles did not leave their dorm at the Nana Backpacker Hostel 24 hours after going to Jaidee Bar and reported feeling unwell on November 13, before being rushed to hospitals in Bangkok.
Ms Jones’ heartbroken family said the ‘immense love shown by so many is a testament to the profound impact she had’ (pictured is the cover of the order of service)
Ms Jones (left) and Ms Bowles (right) died within days of each other at hospitals in Bangkok
Tearful friends and family of Ms Jones embraced outside the school gates
Attorney General Mark Dreyfus was pictured arriving with a large bunch of flowers (pictured)
Guests were asked to wear bright, springtime colours to the service
Attendees wore red-ribbons across their hearts made by school pupils earlier in the week
Thai authorities have confirmed Ms Jones died of ‘brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system’.
Both girls’ bodies were flown back to Australia a week after their deaths.
About eight people have been detained over the deaths of an American man and two Danish women in Van Vieng, according to local media, but there was no mention of the two Australians or a British woman who also died of suspected methanol poisoning.
The men detained were identified as hotel staff and management.
Australian Federal Police have offered to help the Laos investigation, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying the government had made it clear to officials they expect a thorough and transparent investigation.
The fundraiser to help the teens’ families relieve their financial burdens has raised more than $405,000, prompting them to expand their efforts to fund education campaigns and raise awareness of methanol poisoning.
A funeral service will be held for Ms Bowles on Monday.
