‘Your mum will love you forever and ever’: Children killed in Sanson fire remembered at funeral

Photo: Supplied

This story discusses suicide.

The size of the three little coffins said more than anything.

At the front of a packed Crossroads Church auditorium in Palmerston North on Tuesday morning – with more than 3000 watching online – lay the bodies of August, 7, Hugo, 5, and Goldie Field, 1, who died in a fire at their family home in the Manawatū town of Sanson on 15 November.

Their father, 36-year-old Dean Field, also died in the fire. He is suspected of murdering the three children before taking his own life.

But the children’s mother, Chelsey Field, said she wanted a day of colour to remember them.

While nothing can hide the tragedy of three tiny coffins, they were coloured blue, green and pink, covered in small pictures and topped with bright flowers, to keep with that colourful theme.

There was also a coffin for treasured family dog Marlo, who also died in the fire, with a stuffed toy lying on top.

Photo: Supplied

“My little darlings will know that I love them always,” said Chelsey Field, in words read by celebrant Aingie Miller.

“We had so much fun together. We made so many great memories that I will cherish forever. I’m so glad that I took all the photos and video that I did, so that I can look back at them forever.”

She took them not knowing that there would be no more to record the milestones of growing from children into teenagers and then adults.

Instead, the images of the Field children are forever young. Images such as the photo for the three taken at Mt Biggs school where August and Hugo are in their best shirts, with hair gelled neatly into place. Goldie joins them in an affectionate shot.

August, Hugo, and Goldie died in a house fire in Sanson on Saturday. Photo: GIVEALITTLE / SUPPLIED

A photo, on a Givealittle page that has raised more than $400,000 for Chelsey Field, was also the first look a shocked community and country as a whole had of the children.

Then, last week, Chelsey Field released a statement painting pictures of her children’s three young lives.

August James Field, born 27 November 2017. Photo: Supplied

At their funeral there was more.

August, who would have turned eight on Thursday, was the year 3 boys’ athletics champion at school. He did well at rugby and football, but was also a sensitive soul who loved learning, fishing, playing drums and all things machinery.

“At home he loved helping with his sheep and chickens. He and Hugo would collect the eggs, but strangely come home empty handed,” Chelsey Field said.

Turned out smashing the eggs was fun.

He also didn’t mind a bit of rough and tumble with younger brother Hugo, who was strong – a shot put champion at school.

The pair grew mullets last year, and Hugo wanted a mohawk. His favourite colour was blue.

Hugo John Field, born 18 March 2020. Photo: Supplied

At lamb and calf day, August won a second prize for handling his pig, Walter, and Hugo scored a highly commended.

Hugo idolised his brother and seamlessly slipped into school this year.

“He made new friends. He took it all in his stride,” his mother said.

Hugo’s favourite colour was green.

Goldie May Iris Field, born 6 September 2024. Photo: Supplied

Both boys would melt over their little sister Goldie, who in turn loved the family dog Marlo, as well as music class. She was loved by the girls at Mt Biggs school, and the women at New World, who would drop what they were doing to come over and fuss whenever she arrived in the store.

Chelsey Field said “Goldie girl” was a happy child who would never cry – except for at bath time.

She couldn’t yet walk, but was pulling herself around the furniture and standing with confidence. By her first birthday in September she had four teeth.

Field said she would miss constantly hearing “mum, I’m hungry” and the boys saying “six seven” constantly.

“I will miss you three so much. You will know your mum will love you forever and ever.”

Three children who should all still be here

Chelsey Field’s best friend Danni Hullett delivered her eulogy with her son Levi standing close.

Levi was August’s best friend and was to have joined August’s birthday celebration at Timezone in Palmerston North.

The pair met on Levi’s first day of school when August immediately introduced himself and promptly invited Levi around for a sleepover.

Chelsey Field and Danni Hullett then decided they should meet and they became instantly close. Hullett said she admired how Chelsey was always on time and always looked great.

Together, they planned their boys’ futures – “we knew they would be stronger together” – living in flats nearby so they were close to their mums, and taking defensive driving lessons.

Hugo, Goldie and August. Photo: Supplied

Instead, Hullett was today remembering three bright and funny children she said were full of life – “children who should all still be here”.

Hullett worked at Mt Biggs School and was also August’s football coach at Feilding United, and in the week before they died she saw the three children every day.

“Just recently, [August] wrote me a letter – now one of the most precious things I own,” she said.

“In that letter, he asked if he could come for a sleepover. He promised that he would be brave and that he would even try new food.”

Hullett meanwhile said she operated an open-door policy at home, but for Hugo that was an open-pantry policy where snacks were in constant supply.

And nothing would stop her from daily hugs with Goldie.

Marlo was remembered as the cutest dog, who was great around children.

Marlo, the much-loved family dog was also killed in the fire. Photo: Supplied

Hullett set up the Givealittle page and said she was touched by the love from around New Zealand, and beyond.

“Aotearoa stood still for her. It felt like every household lit a candle, every household said a prayer and every community held her in her thoughts.”

Hullett also read the words of her son Levi, who said he loved spending time with all three Field children.

“I wish I had a magic Uno reverse card, so I could reverse this whole thing,” he wrote.

Mt Biggs school principal Kyle Harris remembered August as small in size, but huge in spirit, while Hugo already showed a strong sense of what was right and wrong.

Among the songs played – including the children’s favourite, Motorcycle Drive By, by Zach Bryan – was a special video from New Zealand singer Stan Walker, who sang Bigger/Tua.

“I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m so sorry that I even need to do this video for you guys,” he said, before August and Hugo’s classmates joined in for one last musical tribute.