Actress Jessica Falkholt is farewelled at emotional funeral

Family and friends farewell actress Jessica Falkholt, who will rest in a crypt with her mother, father and sister — all killed in a horror Boxing Day crash.

The Falkholt family, mum Vivian, father, Lars, left, Home and Away star Jessica, right, and her Annabelle, died in the Boxing Day crash. Picture: Facebook

Jessica Falkholt, the actress who last week succumbed to injuries she sustained in a fiery crash on Boxing Day on the NSW south coast, has been remembered as a curious, enthusiastic and insightful young woman who will be missed dearly by her family and friends.

Hundreds of people gathered at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Concord, in Sydney’s inner-west this morning for her funeral, the same church where her parents — Lars and Vivian — and her 21-year-old sister Annabelle were laid to rest just 12 days ago.

The 28-year-old, who was born in Sydney in May 1989, was remembered during the service led by Father Paul Crowley for her bubbly personality and contagious smile, as well as her “hilarious cynicism”.

“Jessica’s inquisitive nature and enthusiasm were evident as a young child, more often than not leading the pack and quickly becoming the centre of attention,” said her uncle Paul Ponticello through tears.

Jessica Falkholt.

“Jessica’s determination and strength of character shone through as she clung to life for three weeks. We pray to God to enrich our ability to forgive.

“Beautiful Jess, you made us proud. You are a rising star, shine bright above us. You will always be remembered in our hearts forever. Rest In Peace.”

Jessica’s cousin Cathy Randazzo said Jess was a “vibrant, well-mannered and kind natured woman with a positive attitude towards life and a vision beyond her years.”

Ms Randazzo said although she is suffering immense grief, she is happy Jess is “with her family now”.

“(The bond between her and her family) was clearly not meant to be broken,” she said.

Funeral director Andrew Valerio confirmed the Falkholt will be buried together in a crypt at Rookwood Catholic Cemetery.

Jessica’s childhood friends and housemates Danielle Farrugia, Chloe Singe and Skye Kunstelj recalled fondly memories of them dancing around their Stanmore home with Jess and their shared love of complaining about working in hospitality.

They also said Jess would either display her Italian or Swedish traits “depending on who was better in Eurovision that year”.

Jessica was a NIDA Acting graduate who found fame on the small screen as Hope Morrison in Home & Away, with the long-running TV soap paving the way for her feature film debut in the forthcoming supernatural thriller Harmony.

Many of her NIDA classmates and actor friends were present at the ceremony.

The funeral booklet was filled with images of childhood memories and family joy.

White doves were also released at the conclusion of the funeral.

Family and friends arrive at the funeral for Jessica Falkholt this morning.

On Wednesday last week a spokesperson from St Georges Hospital in Sydney confirmed Jessica had died from the serious injuries she sustained in the fiery crash, six days after her life-support had been switched off.

Jessica reportedly underwent several surgeries, including the removal of a kidney and part of her skull, and has been in a coma in the weeks after the crash.

Her family of four, from Ryde in northern Sydney, had been travelling home from the south coast when their vehicle was struck head-on by a 4WD near Ulladulla.

The sisters were pulled from the wreckage before it erupted in flames.

The driver of the 4WD, 50-year-old Craig Whitall, was reportedly travelling home from a Nowra methadone clinic at the time of the fatal collision. He too died in the crash.

Whitall was a habitual traffic offender with more than 60 convictions to his name.

Annabelle, 21, died as a result of her injuries three days after the smash.