Hundreds of mourners have gathered today to farewell a young mother and her 3-year-old daughter who died in a Christchurch house fire.

Sapphire-Hope Couch and her 23-year-old mother, Rose-Maree Couch, died after a fire tore through a home in Whitehall St, Mairehau, on May 14.

Sapphire-Hope, known as Sapphy, died at the scene, while her mother was taken to hospital and died from her injuries the next day.

Today, mourners filled Linwood Crematorium to remember a toddler who had an “infectious smile that could light up any room” and her “devoted” mother.

The service began with a pōwhiri as family members carried the mother and daughter in together.

Sapphire-Hope and Couch will be buried together, sharing a casket to ensure they will be together forever.

Rose-Maree’s parents, Shiree and Neville, spoke of a beloved daughter and youngest child.

“She had empathy for people, she didn’t like to think of anybody hurting, or anything being wrong,” Shiree said.

“It shouldn’t have to be this way. I would gladly take their place,” Neville said.

Hundreds attended the emotional service. Photo / Jazlyn Whales

They spoke of Sapphire-Hope as “their little beacon of shining light”.

“Sapphy was our sassy baby, she would stand there and say ‘don’t laugh at me Nanny’,” Shiree said.

Neville described her as a “little angel”.

They both thanked the community for their support.

Rose-Maree’s sister, Tania, said they would both be in the hearts of the family.

“No matter how much time passes, we will never forget you both, with you both in our hearts and in our memories,“ she said.

“I know we cannot bring you back, bring you both back, although we wish we could.

“A piece of us went with you both the days you both grew your wings.

“We love you now, and forever, Rose and Sapphy.”

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.

Jamie, Sapphire-Hope’s father and Couch’s partner, said Sapphy was a “daddy’s girl”.

“I’m gonna miss hearing Dad, Daddy, Dad.

“She was such a daddy’s girl. I’m holding you tight, and I’ll always love you to the day I get to see you again.”

He said Couch was his “beautiful other half”.

“You’re the best thing to ever happen to me, and I’m lost without you.

“You’re such a beautiful soul, kind-hearted person that loved your music.”

Children‘s song Baby Shark was played as Couch’s children and Sapphire-Hope‘s siblings paid tribute.

The casket was signed by those in attendance, covered in messages of love.

A haka was performed to honour them.

Toddler with ‘infectious smile’ and her ‘devoted’ mother remembered

In a statement earlier provided to the Herald, the family described Sapphire-Hope as a sassy little girl, and Couch as a devoted mother with a “heart of gold”.

“Sapphy 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.

“She loved spending one-on-one time with her parents, especially cuddles and sneaking treats from the chocolate stash.”

The family said Rose-Maree was “gentle” by nature and died peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones.

“Rose was deeply loved by her family, friends, and the wider community.

“She had a heart of gold and was always there to offer support, kindness, or a listening ear to anyone in need.

“Gentle and quiet by nature, she was also fiercely protective of her children and devoted to those she loved.”

They said Jamie, Sapphire-Hope’s father and Couch’s partner, had been left devastated by their deaths.

The family praised Shane Hall, the father of two of the surviving children, calling him a “hero” for rescuing four children from the burning house.

“Words cannot truly express how grateful we are. In our eyes, you are a hero,” the statement read.

“Please know how deeply we love and appreciate you, and that we will always stand beside you and support you through this time.”

The family said the pair “meant everything” to their whānau and everyone whose lives they touched.

“This has been an incredibly difficult time for our whānau, and we are still coming to terms with this sudden and devastating loss.

“Rose’s parents Shiree and Neville are also facing the heartbreaking loss of their precious daughter and granddaughter.”

The family thanked emergency services, including police, fire crews, ambulance staff, ICU teams and the Children’s High Dependency Unit for their care and dedication.

They also acknowledged support from the Christchurch Methodist Mission.

“We 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’s mother.”

The family said they had been overwhelmed by community support and donations to a Givealittle page set up after the tragedy.

They said any remaining money after funeral costs would be divided equally between the four surviving children.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who has been part of Rose-Maree and Sapphy’s lives, and to everyone who has supported us in any way, whether through actions, donations, or messages.”

Tributes were laid outside the family home where a fire broke out on May 14. Photo / Claire Sherwood

The day after the tragedy, a family friend shared a message from the family thanking the community for rallying around them.

“While we have our hands full, we are so very grateful for everything. We ask that people continue showing love and respect the way they have been. This has been a devastating loss to our whānau. We will reach out to those organising when we can.”

The message referred to community efforts to collect clothing, household items and other essentials for those affected by the fire.

The damage to the Whitehall St home after the fatal fire. Photo / Hannah Feck

The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union cancelled a planned nationwide strike after the fatal fire.

The union said the one-hour strike, scheduled for last Friday, had been called off “in recognition of the impact of the fire on the whānau, their wider support network”.

“The loss and devastation will be widely felt by Christchurch and ripple through the country.”

A broken window of the Whitehall St home the morning after the fatal fire. Photo / Mike Thorpe

Emergency crews were called about 8.25pm on May 14 after reports of a house fire and people unaccounted for.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said four ambulances, two rapid response units and an operations manager went to the scene.

Police said the fire is not believed to be suspicious.

Four other children, Sapphire-Hope’s siblings, were also injured in the house fire in Mairehau, Christchurch.

They were aged between 10 weeks and 5 years old and were admitted to hospital.

One neighbour said they became aware of the fire when they heard windows breaking – but heard no sirens.

They said they often heard young children playing in the backyard and believed the family had lived there for a few years.