MOURNERS at the joint funerals of the tragic Lad family were implored to concentrate on the good memories.
The brother of Dukshaben Lad - who was murdered along with her daughters Trisha and Nisha by her husband Jitendra, who then hanged himself - made the plea as he also drew laughter from the congregation with stories of the girls from when they were young.
The family of four were found dead at their home in Blackberry Way, Clayton, on October 27.
Police said Jitendra, 49, stabbed his wife and daughters in their beds before killing himself.
They were all cremated yesterday at Scholemoor Crematorium, at joint funerals attended by more than 300 people.
Earlier, a traditional Hindu ceremony took place.
Two white horse-drawn carriages carried the coffins of 19-year-old Trisha and Nisha, 16, while Dukshaben and Jitendra's bodies were carried in black hearses.
Nisha's coffin was at the front of the funeral cortège, followed by Trisha, Jitendra and Dukshaben.
Councillor Sinead Engel (Lab, Clayton and Fairweather Green) attended the funerals alongside fellow Councillor Carol Thirkill.
"It was very sombre," said Cllr Engel.
"Lots of people were supporting each other. The girls' school and university friends had their arms around each other. Dukshaben's colleagues were supporting each other.
"It was a very supportive atmosphere. Both rooms were full and a lot more people were outside.
"Lots of family were there, and lots of the service was not done in English. Some tributes were done in English and some not in English.
"It was very touching."
Cllr Engel said there appeared to be no anger towards Jitendra, adding: "Dukshaben's brother managed to get a laugh out of us all at one point. He was relaying happy memories of the girls when they were little.
"He was also urging us to concentrate on the good memories.
"The three women were cremated first, then there was a pause and then Mr Lad. But I am told that was for cultural reasons."
She added: "A lot of people drifted away after the women's part was done, but the students at Thornton Grammar School and the university would only have been there for the girls."
Mourners included staff and students at Thornton Grammar School and representatives of Bradford Council.
Dukshaben and Jitendra both worked for the local authority, while Nisha was a student at the school.
Trisha, herself a former pupil at the school, was studying biochemistry at Leeds University.
Inquests into the deaths were opened and adjourned last week pending further inquiries.
INQUESTS DUE TO OPEN TODAY INTO DEATHS OF BRADFORD FAMILY-OF-FOUR
FATHER HANGED AFTER WIFE AND DAUGHTERS STABBED TO DEATH, POLICE REVEAL
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