Hundreds of mourners gathered at the St John's Anglican Church on a rainy morning today in Bega, on the NSW far South Coast, for the funeral of Jack, Maddie and Bon Bell.

The children were killed by their father, Gary Poxon, in a murder-suicide on June 28 in a 4WD on an isolated farmstead in Pericoe, west of Eden.

Pastor John Thompson said the community should help shoulder the burden of the tragedy.

"We are all responsible,'' he said.

He told the children's mother, Karen Bell: "You are not guilty. How could you prevent an act like that?''

Ms Bell had been beaten throughout the course of their 15-year marriage to Poxon.

Since speaking up publicly, many more women have had the courage to leave violent relationships, the Pastor said.

Captain Kathy Crombie delivered a prayer of healing and comfort.

"Bring healing in this community for all of those who experienced the pain of abuse,'' she said.

The congregation watched a slide show of the three children to the song Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol.

Jack with his toothless grin, Maddie blowing out candles on a birthday cake and Bon as a newborn in Ms Bell's arms.

After the service, Ms Bell looked calm and walked tall into a waiting car. The small coffins all laden with flowers were carried away in a white hearse.

The children's Uncle Tom Bell read a eulogy written by Ms Bell titled "Goodbye" and three candles will be lit to symbolise the lives cut short.

Tracie Reeve recited a poem for Karen written by a friend:

Don't cry mummy, we're still here for you.

We need you down there, so we can share in your life too.

Don't cry mummy it's beautiful up here, God's arms embrace us as we wave, so we three will never know fear.

Don't cry mummy, Bon's giggling non stop, the angels feather his feet, spoiling him neck and crop.

Don't cry mummy, Maddie's not sad, she's on the catwalk modelling, every day the best she would have had.

Don't cry mummy, I'm always your Jack the man, please keep on living for us, now do the best you can.

Don't cry mummy our spirits live on in you, the strength you handed on to us make us proud of you.

You need to cry mummy, grieve for as long as it takes, the heart that I gave to you heals with time once it breaks.

I also cry tears of sorrow as this isn't what I planned.

This tragedy makes no sense, so don't even try to understand.

Your children are safe up here sitting on my knee, never ever forget what Jack said, "our spirits belong to thee..."

An appeal has been launched to help Ms Bell get her life on track again:  

The Karen Bell Appeal, c/o The Bega District News, Carp Street, Bega, NSW 2550.