'Treasured daughter' farewelled

Amy Elizabeth Farrall with her dog, Chop.

Slain Christchurch community worker Amy Farrall was given an emotional farewell today.

The 24-year-old's body was found in the boot of her car at a city supermarket on March 30.

A 38-year-old man from the North Island, who had recently been staying at her Woolston home after moving to Christchurch, has been charged with sexual violation and murder. He will be back in court next week.

Police allege he killed Ms Farrall, dumped her body, and fled to the West Coast where he picked up two hitch-hikers and then attacked them.

Hundreds of family and friends packed out Westpark Chapel in the Burnside area of the city today to pay tribute to the "dearly loved and treasured daughter of Ann and Neil, much loved and adored sister of Richard and partner Mel, treasured granddaughter of Don and Betty Cattermole, and Fred and Noreen Farrall".

The former Lincoln High School student's family asked for media to stay away from today's service.

They have previously spoken of their devastation that "her caring nature appears to have been tragically taken advantage of".

In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to the SPCA.

It was standing room only for the 40-minute service, with mourners spilling out the rear doors of the chapel.

Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here was played as six male pallbearers lifted the blue casket into the back of a black hearse.

Amy Farrall studied Mental Health Support Work at CPIT (Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology).

She worked as a caregiver for Richmond Fellowship in Christchurch, a national non-government organisation that provides community-based mental health and disability support services.

Her partner of seven years, Cory McKeown and a group of friends have painted a colourful mural saying 'RIP Amy' on a fence at the supermarket car park where she was found.