His mother tearfully spoke about how dearly she would miss her clever little boy and the deep love the family had for him. Mrs Laulu said that her son always looked up to adults and wanted to try everything that they did.
"His cheeky grin will always keep my heart warm."
Children of the Heretaunga Primary Ward then performed a pese vailauga (rest hymn).
Jimmy's uncle Simi Laulu said the day was the perfect send off for his nephew.
"It was a beautiful day and the family had lots of support."
The family would honour Jimmy's life on the dates marking his birth and death, he said. Jimmy would have turned four on January 11.
"Every year we will celebrate his birthday and also Christmas, we will do everything to remember him."
The family took solace knowing Jimmy was in a peaceful place.
"He's in heaven now with the Holy Father looking down on his family. Jimmy will be our guardian angel."
He was laid to rest in Hastings Cemetery.
A family friend spoke to NZME yesterday about the "funny, bubbly" boy. Evangeline Levao was at Ocean Beach on Christmas Day when the tragedy occurred, with her husband, their 6-year-old son and her niece with her two kids, who were visiting from Samoa.
The young teacher had recently taken the enrolment forms for Jimmy and his little brother to attend an early childhood centre in Flaxmere.
"It was so sad. I wish I saw Jimmy and was able to save him. I wake up in the night dreaming about him," she said.
"He was such a lovely, funny, bubbly child."
She said he would greet her with a friendly "malo" - Samoan for hello - when she went to his home.
Mrs Levao said her prayers and thoughts were with parents.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted," she read from the Bible.
