A service in Christchurch yesterday marked the end of a traditional 13-day period of mourning for the family of the Waimate couple killed with their youngest child in a fire.
Tej and Tika Kafle, and their son, Prem (8) died after fire tore through their home above their Indian restaurant in Queen St, Waimate, on August 5.
Their three daughters - Tulsi (24), Manisha (17) and Mamata (11) - survived after smashing a window to escape.
In Hindu culture, the cremation of the deceased marks the beginning of the mourning period, which lasts for 13 days.
Waimate Mayor Craig Rowley was joined by deputy mayor Sharyn Cain and about three others from the Waimate community for the 30-minute service to mark the end of the traditional mourning period yesterday.
''It was a very nice service, very informal ... it's was lovely,'' Mr Rowley said.
He spoke of how the community had been shaken by the loss of ''three very special people'' and had rallied in support of the family in such ''tragic times''.
''[The support] has been absolutely outstanding. It's been excellent support not just from Waimate, but throughout the whole country.''
Mr Rowley said he spoke to Tulsi, Manisha and Mamata, wishing them well for their future.
''They are obviously still very much in a state of shock, but I suppose the good thing is that [yesterday] was the end of their 13 days of mourning so they can start to try and get back to normality from here on in,'' he said.
Two appeals to help the sisters have raised more than $90,000.
