Emotional farewell to 24yo Olyvia Cowley who died unexpectedly in Bali

Family and friends have paid heartbreaking tributes to Olyvia Cowley, who died unexpectedly in Bali last month, in a funeral service held on the day she was due home.

It was meant to be the day Olyvia Cowley came home from Bali to move into a new home.

Instead, her shattered family and friends were saying goodbye to the 24-year-old at a Gold Coast church.

Olyvia died “unexpectedly” on the Indonesian holiday island on August 19, after quitting her job and moving overseas earlier this year.

On Saturday, her loved ones gathered at Hillsong Church at Highland Park to farewell “one of the funniest and sweetest girls to ever walk the earth”.

A white coffin topped with sunflowers was carried inside by her family, and carried back out at the end of the two-hour service as five men performed a Haka.

At the request of the family, the mourners wore a palette of bold, bright colours, to celebrate their “Livy’s” warm and passionate zest for life.

Olyvia Cowley (left) died unexpectedly in Bali last month. Picture: Facebook

Friends of Ms Cowley wore bright coloured clothes and carried sunflowers. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Richard Gosling

A coffin topped with sunflowers was carried into the venue by loved ones. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Richard Gosling

Friends and family comforted each other outside the church. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Richard Gosling

Olyvia’s mother, Christina Blakelock said “no mother should never have to feel this pain”.

“The entire time I was in Bali I kept asking is there anything I can do? How do I get through it? But the one bit of hope I had is that it felt like Olyvia was there with us,” she said through tears.

“When I went in to pack up her room she was right there and there was such a peace. When I walked into the morgue I saw a bright yellow light. And I know that’s your colour Livy.”

Her brother Joshua said: “Not many of you realise it, but today was supposed to be the day Livy was supposed to come back to move into a new home.

A Haka was performed at the funeral, in a nod to Ms Cowley’s New Zealand heritage. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Richard Gosling

“I was really looking forward to it. I really miss you,” he said.

Olyvia’s sister, Hope, was squeezed tightly by her brothers as she delivered a heartfelt tribute.

“Livy had an impact on so many of you. On May 11, 1998, not only did I gain a sister, but a best friend,” she said.

“She was so witty and always getting us into trouble or getting us out of it.

“We were a pair and for many years, I had my own little shadow. We spent countless hours together just being us.

“My baby girl...having a sister has been one of the coolest experiences in this world.

“I was looking forward to many things with you – like being mums together – and standing next to you on your big day. You would have been the most beautiful bride.”

Olyvia’s sister Hope was seen pressing her hand to the hearse window after the 24-year-old’s funeral service. She was comforted by her partner. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Richard Gosling

Olyvia Cowley’s coffin was loaded back into a waiting vehicle, still adorned with bright sunflowers. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Richard Gosling

Hope described her “baby sister” as the “cool, fun aunty” to her children and said “they have the best guardian angel watching over them”.

“This isn’t goodbye because I’ll see you at the gates, with a jay in one hand and a drink in the other. I love you Livy. I’ll see you soon.”

In an especially devastating moment, Hope was seen after the service pressing her hand against the window of the hearse, as her partner held on to her.

Hope had posted online before the service - “Today’s all for you my girl”.

“I hope I make you proud sissy.”

Hope previously shared a touching tribute to her sister, writing: “My darling girl. I hope you see all the light you shone on this earth and the lives you impacted, can’t wait to have you home to see the space that has been created for you.”

“You would of absolutely loved all of it! You left so many foot prints on this earth my darling sister. I feel you always, see you soon my baby girl.”

Speaking at Saturday’s service, Caleb Cowley said his little sister “had two sides to her personality”.

“One was Liv cooking you a five-star meal with a nice bottle of wine and the other was trying to make you eat dog food.

“I don’t think a day went by when we didn’t fight or bicker about something, but it was only recently realised it was your love language”.

“I’ll never be able to express in words how much I miss you. Your smile and your laugh.

“Olyvia, I’m grateful for the memories you gave us, and the laughs you gave us even when you were not around.

“I’ll see you again one day soon, and we will catch up on everything you missed.”

As Caleb held fought back tears, he said: “I don’t like goodbyes so I love you and I’ll see you soon.”

There was an outpouring of emotion when the hearse drove off. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Richard Gosling

A large crowd of people gathered to bid farewell to Ms Cowley.. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Richard Gosling

Attendees dressed in bright colours as requested by the family to celebrate Ms Cowley’s life.

Many put on a brave face or smiled at memories of Ms Cowley as they arrived at the ceremony.

But when the white-painted coffin arrived, several mourners appeared taken aback by the sight of it and struggled to hold themselves together.

Social media posts prior to her death showed Ms Cowley enjoying a poolside lifestyle on the Indonesian island.

The reasons behind her death have not been publicly released.

At the end of Saturday’s service, attendees spilled out onto the street, with Ms Cowley’s friends and family seen openly weeping over their loss.

In a nod to the young woman’s New Zealand heritage, a Haka was performed as pallbearers carried Ms Cowley’s coffin outside.

The huge group of mourners were seen embracing outside the church following the service, before lining up as they bid Ms Cowley a final goodbye.

It was estimated some 250 people gathered to pay their respects.

Several young women touched the window of the hearse and cried.

Ms Cowley’s mother, Christina Blakelock, got in the passenger side of the hearse before it slowly drove off.

Attendees lined up outside the church after Olyvia’s service. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Richard Gosling

Two women were seen embracing. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Richard Gosling

In April, Ms Cowley shared a video online with series of images showing the view from her plane, arriving at her hotel and relaxing by the pool.

She also shared images of her with friends and enjoying nights out together.

Earlier this week, Ms Cowley’s mother, Ms Blakelock, and her husband Tony travelled to Bali in order to return Ms Cowley’s body to Australia.

Ms Blakelock shared heartbreaking details of the experience in a Facebook post, saying the family had received overwhelming support from loved ones and strangers.

“Broken. Shattered … But we still are blessed.

“We know we have a peace that passes all understanding. There is no way I’d personally stand through this type of situation, with out our Lord and father above.”

“Olyvia our baby girl, it’s time to go home now.”

Ms Cowley had quit her job and moved to Bali earlier this year.

In a TikTok post, she had told followers she was “living everything she ever prayed for” Picture: TikTok.

Ms Cowley’s family and friends posted emotional tributes to the 24-year-old.

The circumstances surrounding her death have not been publicly released.

Ms Blakelock also shared herself getting a tattoo on her leg while in Bali of a sunflower with a butterfly in the middle, captioned, “My Sun. My Flower... For you.”

Friend Tiarna Malcolm also posted a tribute this week, describing herself as a “lost little soul”.

“I don’t know a world where you aren’t in it,” she posted on Instagram.

“Hold your loved ones so so tight and tell them how much you love them each and everyday.

Ms Cowley's mother got a tattoo of a sunflower to remember her daughter. Image: Facebook

“Miss you so god damn much darling. Hope you’re livin it up, up there.”

A GoFundMe has already raised close to $15,000 to help Ms Cowley’s family with expenses.

“We all know how much of an impact it can make when a community come together and the Cowley family are extremely grateful for the overwhelming love and support already,” organiser Shae Barr said.