Christopher Lance Beale was only 19-months-old when he tragically drowned on June 28.

Family and friends gathered at the Anglican Cathedral Church of St Alban the Martyr Griffith for the funeral service.

The crowd was so large the choir gallery had to be opened to accommodate everyone.

In front of the altar a small, white coffin was adorned with flowers, a teddy bear and a photo of Christopher. Beside him were two beautiful floral wreaths and flowers.

Father Rob Harris conducted the service and read from Isaiah 49: “I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.”

Fr Harris also read from Mark chapter 10: “let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to these that the Kingdom of God belongs.”

Christopher’s mother Karissa was to read the eulogy but she was overcome by emotion. In the funeral booklet, she described her baby boy.

“Our precious boy came into this world with his hands together like he was praying. I knew he was my everything,” she wrote.

“That day we became the most strongest, proudest and happiest parents.

“Every day you made me smile, even if it wasn’t a smiling matter. You always knew how to make any situation a time to smile, and that went for anybody and any mood they were in.

“My boy, you were truly an angel sent to us from above.

“You were such a little know-it-all, the way you’d walk around with your hands behind your back and shoulders raised, the way you woke me up of a morning rubbing my face with your little hands, so gentle.”

The funeral procession drove to Griffith Lawn Cemetery where Christopher was interred in the Infants Lawn, part of the Memorial garden section.

“I’ve asked our Ancestors to keep you safe on your new journey,” wrote Aunty Leanne and Ettie-lee.

“This day is one I thought would never happen for years to come (but) you need to continue your dreaming.”