Private funeral held for father who died at scene of triple fatal Sanson house fire tragedy

Dean Field was farewelled at a private service held at his family's request.

A private service has been held for the father who died, with his three children, at a house fire in Manawatū this month.

The funeral notice appeared yesterday for Dean Field and referred to him as an “adored Dad” and “deeply loved and respected uncle”.

It said a private service had already been held at the “family’s request”.

Field was found dead at the fire that killed his children, August, Hugo and Goldie, aged 7, 5 and 1, at their home in Sanson on November 15. Police are investigating the deaths as homicide.

The Field family dog, Marlo, was also killed, and the ashes of Dean and mum, Chelsey’s stillborn daughter Iris, were lost.

Field’s body was not burned, police i said.

A separate funeral service for the children is taking place today at the Crossroads Church in Palmerston North from 11am and will be livestreamed online.

Family and friends have been instructed in the funeral notice to wear bright colours to celebrate the children’s lives.

“Three beautiful angels taken too soon,” the funeral notice said.

“Will be sadly missed by their mum Chelsey, grandparents, Lindy, Ron (deceased), Florence, and Michael and Mary; and all those who knew them.

“United with big sister Iris in heaven. Loved beyond measure.”

‘My babies were my absolute world’

Chelsey Field spoke for the first time last Friday about the loss of her children, which left her “heartbroken and devastated”.

Field revealed that she also lost Marlo, and Iris’ ashes in the blaze.

“August, Hugo and Goldie were taken from me and all those who love them in the most horrible of circumstances, but I do not want their deaths to define the important, beautiful lives that they lived,” she said.

“My babies were my absolute world.”

Field clarified that she and Dean were not separated at the time of the fire. They were still married and living together at the property.

She extended her sincere thanks to the many thousands of people around New Zealand who had “been so generous during this difficult time”.

Field’s friends set up a Givealittle donation page for her on the Sunday after the fire to create a “safety net for her” and to “provide her with the space and security needed to grieve in solitude, without the added stress of financial ruin”.

The page has so far raised nearly $400,000 from more than 10,000 donors.

Police over the weekend said the scene examination had been completed, but “it will take time for us to get answers for the family”.