A mother whose two children were stabbed to death at the family home has buried them in a shared coffin with their favourite teddy bear after holding a tiny funeral due to coronavirus lockdown.
Heartbroken Nishanthani Nithiyakumar, known as Nisa, tenderly touched the faces of her young son and daughter before saying goodbye in a Hindu ceremony in west London this week.
The 35-year-old left several photographs of Nigish, three, and Pavinya, one, at their graveside, taken when they were babies as this is how she wants to remember them, a relative told MailOnline.
Nisa said she wanted the share photographs of the children because she wants people to know her suffering but has no words to express what she is feeling.
A mother whose two children were stabbed to death at the family home has buried them in a shared coffin with their favourite teddy bear after holding a tiny funeral due to coronavirus lockdown
Just 10 close friends and relatives were able to support Nisa through the moving religious service which was followed by a brief burial ceremony at Greenford Park Cemetery, west London
Heartbroken Nishanthani Nithiyakumar, known as Nisa, tenderly touched the faces of her young son and daughter (pictured) before saying goodbye in a Hindu ceremony this week
The 35-year-old left several photographs of Nigish, three, and Pavinya, one, at their graveside, taken when they were babies as this is how she wants to remember them, a relative told MailOnline
Nisa (pictured with her husband and the two children) said she wanted the share photographs of her homage to the children because she wants people to know her suffering but has no words to express how she is feeling
The tragic siblings died after suffering knife wounds at their home in Ilford, east London on Sunday, April 26.
Just 10 close friends and relatives were able to support their distraught mother through the moving religious service which was followed by a brief burial ceremony at Greenford Park Cemetery, west London.
As she kissed her children, who were dressed in smart outfits, Nisa said: ‘Don’t worry daughter, your brother will now guide you. Look after each other.’
Among those supporting her was Gopala Krishnan, the children’s uncle.
‘It was a very sad day,’ he told MailOnline. ‘We are devastated by what happened and are still trying to come to terms with it. None of this makes any sense.
‘Nisa and the rest of the family wanted to share these pictures so that you know about our sorrow and deep pain because there are no words that can explain how we feel.’
Another mourner who also attended the funeral said: ‘This was such a heartbreaking time. Everybody felt for Nisa and she will be looked after by her family.
‘The police who are investigating their death came to pay their respects and were brilliant but nothing can bring the children back. But everybody will help Nisa and give her love.’
Since the burial, relatives have been visiting the grave to pour milk over it and recite prayers, which are traditional Hindu rituals.
As she kissed her children, who were dressed in smart outfits, Nisa said: ‘Don’t worry daughter, your brother will now guide you. Look after each other’
Since the burial, relatives have been visiting the grave to pour milk over it and recite prayers, which are traditional Hindu rituals
Among those who supported her was Gopala Krishnan, the children’s uncle. ‘It was a very sad day,’ he told MailOnline. ‘We are devastated by what happened and are still trying to come to terms with it. None of this makes any sense’. Pictured with Nigish and Nithin
An inquest was opened at Walthamstow Coroner’s Court last week and revealed that Pavinya was declared dead at the scene shortly before 6pm while Nigish died in hospital two hours later
An inquest opened at Walthamstow Coroner’s Court last week revealed that Pavinya was declared dead at the scene shortly before 6pm while Nigish died in hospital two hours later.
The next inquest hearing was scheduled for November.
:: Nadarajah Nithiyakumar, 40, of Ilford has been charged with the murder of the two children.