‘Mummy is in heaven and heaven is in my heart’

Family and friends of Sydney siege victim Tori Johnson have gathered for his funeral.

The partner of Tori Johnson, Thomas Zinn and family members carry the casket in at the funeral of Tori Johnson. (AAP Image/Nikki Short) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP

THERE have been emotional scenes today at the funeral services of Sydney siege victims Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson as family and friends gathered to say their final goodbyes.

At the service for siege hero Mr Johnson at Sydney's St Stephen's Uniting Church this morning senior public figures and members of the police force joined his family, partner and workmates, including some who were also hostages during last week's siege.

Throughout the hour-long service as the 34-year-old's was remembered in a celebration of Tori's "love, generosity and life", the order of service booklet for the private ceremony read.

The church is about 100 metres from the Lindt cafe, where Tori worked as manager, and also where he was tragically killed in the early hours of December 16 as the Martin Place siege ended.

Mr Johnson's father Ken and partner of 14 years, Thomas Zinn, spoke at the service that began with 'Ave Maria' playing in the church.

Supplied personal photo of Tori Johnson and is partner Thomas Zinn. Source: Supplied

Supplied image of Tori Johnson, victim of the Sydney Siege at the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place. Source: Supplied

Supplied personal photo of Tori Johnson and is partner Thomas Zinn. Source: Supplied

Traffic was halted on Macquarie St outside the church as a white hearse bearing Mr Johnson's coffin arrived for the 11am service.

Fellow hostages bravely attended the service. Many of them only knew Tori for the hours they were trapped inside the cafe by crazed gunman Man Haron Monis.

Elly Chen, Fiona Ma, Jieun Bae and Joel Herat arrived with Premier Mike Baird, while Harriette Denny, Selina Win Pe and Jarrod Joffman also paid their respects.

NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione and Governor David Hurley were also among mourners at St Stephen's church.

The partner of Tori Johnson, Thomas Zinn and family members carry the casket into St Stephen's Uniting Church. Source: AAP

St Stephen's cathedral. Source: Supplied

Siege victims Joel Herat (2nd L), Elly Chen (2nd R) and Fiona Ma (R) pay their respects at wreath laying ceremony after the funeral for Tori Johnson at Martin Place. Source: Getty Images

Well-regarded barrister and mother to three Katrina Dawson will also be farewelled in a memorial service at the University of Sydney's Great Hall beginning at 2pm this afternoon.

Ms Dawson's husband Paul Smith will give the eulogy, while there will be tributes from her parents Sandy and Jane Dawson and also by her brothers Sandy and Angus.

MORE: Heartbreaking songs picked by Katrina's kids

Speakers for the ceremony include Julie Taylor, the pregnant colleague and friend who was trapped inside the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place with Ms Dawson during the siege.

Organisers have also asked for donations to be made to the Katrina Dawson Foundation instead of flowers.

The charity was set up last week by former governor-general dame Quentin Bryce, who is expected to attend this afternoon's service.

More than 1500 people have attended the service. Among them is siege survivor John O'Brien and Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his wife Margy.

Photos showing Ms Dawson with her husband and children were shown on a large screen in the university's sandstone Great Hall.

A message from Ms Dawson's son Ollie said: "Mummy is in heaven & heaven is in my heart, so mum will be with me all the time."

Memorial service for Katrina Dawson at University of Sydney, picture Craig Greenhill Source: News Corp Australia

Memorial service for Katrina Dawson at University of Sydney, picture Craig Greenhill Source: News Corp Australia

One of the hostages arrives at the memorial service for Katrina Dawson at the The Great Hall at Sydney University in Sydney. Picture: Adam Taylor Source: News Corp Australia

Photos showing Katrina Dawson (L) and Tori Johnson (R) sit among the flowers left outside the Lindt cafe in Sydney's Martin Place. Source: AFP

Sydneysiders paid their respect to the two victims in floral tributes. Source: News Corp Australia

Many of the mourners wore aqua, the popular barrister's favourite colour, while her favourite classical music is being played.

Former colleague Jeremy Stoljar SC told those gathered: "We're going to do our best, despite everything to remember the happy times."

"She had it all. She looked after the younger ones, she worked with the older ones," Mr Stoljar said.

"She put 100 per cent into everything she did ... she was the best friend anyone could have."

In the wake of the pair's tragic deaths, thousands of Sydneysiders have visited Martin Place where the public outpouring of grief has manifested in a sea of floral tributes. Several thousands of bunches of flowers were removed from the makeshift memorial site this morning ahead of wet weather which officials feared may destroy the notes left with flowers which have been collected to return to the victim's families.

The flowers will be mulched and used in a memorial set to be determined in consultation with Ms Dawson and Mr Johnson's families.

"At an appropriate time we'll also discuss with them the establishment of a permanent memorial," Premier Mike Baird said.

A smaller tribute site has been established under a marquee in Martin Place and a bouquet from Mr Johnson's funeral service will be laid at the new site. — with Andrew Koubaridis

RFS, SES and the Australian Red Cross assisted in removing flowers from Martin place today. Source: News Corp Australia

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