BOORT’s Uniting Church is expected to be overflowing tomorrow when the community farewells the toddler who died in a tragic New Year fire.
Funeral directors William Farmer say pews in the church will be for family members of Carter Keeble, 3, with additional marques erected in the church grounds for mourners.
A public appeal to support Carter’s parents Ben Lori has now raised more than $71,000.
“They are now facing the reality of finding the strength, and finances to organise a funeral, whilst trying to find a way to continue with their every day lives,” said Luci Mayer who started the appeal with the family’s blessing.
In releasing a photograph of Carter, the funeral notice from William Farmer asks people attending the funeral to honour the youngster by wearing bright colours with cowboy hat, cowboy boots or crocs to the service.
Mourners have been asked to make donations to Boort District Health.
Carter died in a caravan fire in Lake View Street on January 2 where he had been staying with family over the New Year break.
Local fire brigade volunteers who responded to the blaze about 5.50pm have since been helped by the CFA’s wellbeing peer support team and BDH has been assisting the wider community. Police have said the fire was not suspicious and they are preparing a report for the coroner.