Funeral held for Hervey Bay’s James and Nicole Bell

An emotional service has been held for a beloved Queensland couple who died in heartbreaking circumstances on the same day, with the pair remembered as people who had spread joy.

A double funeral has been held for much loved Hervey Bay couple Nicole and James Bell.

To the heartbreaking strains of What a Wonderful World, the double funeral of a beloved couple who could not live without each other began in Hervey Bay.

Nicole and James Bell died on July 22, aged 50 and 41 and those who loved them gathered on Monday at Fraser Coast Crematorium and Bayside Memorial Gardens to celebrate their lives.

It is understood Nicole died after a medical episode and James later died the same day after taking his own life.

Celebrant Christine Smith led the funeral and spoke of the deep and enduring love the two had for one another.

“There are people in the world who make it better just by being in it,” she said.

“People who bring joy, who bring love simply because they have joy and love in their lives.

“Nicole’s and James’ love joined together made the world better.”

Items placed lovingly on the two caskets included an orchid, the kind of flower that James had loved giving to Nicole, a Valentine’s Day card, a stubbie holder, a dog lead to represent James’ dog, Riley, James’ SES cap and his passport.

A double funeral has been held for much loved Hervey Bay couple Nicole and James Bell.

James was born in England and much travelled, he had just returned from Germany where he had helped his brother renovate his brother’s family home.

“We’ve all been incredibly saddened by their sudden and unexpected passing,” Christine said.

Nicole had been an “amazing, adoring wife,” she said and a “loving devoted mother”, daughter, sister, cousin, aunty, niece and a treasured friend and colleague, Christine said.

Ten years ago, James had gained a little bit of fame, alongside Riley.

Articles were written about the two and how James had trained Riley to hunt for truffles on the family’s farm at Colac, Victoria.

A double funeral has been held for much loved Hervey Bay couple Nicole and James Bell.

One told of how Riley earned his owner $50 an hour when rented out as a truffle hound.

A montage of photos from James’ life was then shown to those gathered, to the sound of Ed Sheeran’s Perfect.

Simon was the first to read a tribute for James.

He said almost a year ago those had gathered for a joyous occasion – James and Nicole’s wedding.

“After I got the news and the immediate, heart wrenching shock subsided, I realised we needed to tell my boys that Uncle James and Aunty Nicole were dead,” he said.

When speaking to the boys, they told them that Aunty Nicole had become sick and died and Uncle James was with her, and it hurt him so much his heart broke.

His son responded: “I don’t think he wanted to live without her,” Simon said.

“So today we bury them, side-by-side.”

James’ father Christopher gave his son’s eulogy, saying his son had an “ethereal quality”.

He spoke of his son joining the SES, his love for video games, his skill at card games.

In many ways, Nicole and James had been a perfect match, Christopher said.

“They each complemented each other’s strengths.

“To us, she was the fulfilment of everything we’d hoped for James and was wonderful to see them so happy.

“But parents’ dreams are just that, so now we have to say farewell to these beautiful souls in the plain light of day.

“My son, we loved you. We will miss you for as long as we all live.

“Rest in peace alongside your beloved Nicole.”

A double funeral has been held for much loved Hervey Bay couple Nicole and James Bell.

A montage of photos of Nicole was then shared with those gathered to the sound of Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler.

Nicole’s cousin Michelle then presented her eulogy.

A series of letters prepared by the family members was part of the tributes made to the dearly loved mum and daughter.

Nicole’s brother Justin said they were all supposed to grow old together, but they had been taken too early.

Her children said they would miss their mum’s smile and bubbly nature.

She’d had a sweet tooth and a love for pink and sparkly things, the gathering was told.

Nicole’s mum Leonie said her daughter would light up the room and taught them family was not just blood relations.

She spoke of her daughter’s wedding day and how after they married, Nicole and James were rarely seen apart.

Those gathered heard of James’ commitment to the SES and how he dedicated hundreds of hours to the service.

The service then ended with a montage of photos of James and Nicole together to the sound of Rina Sawayama’s Chosen Family and final words of tribute from Christine, who reflected that “even death has not parted them”.

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Originally published as Funeral held for Hervey Bay’s James and Nicole Bell