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Mansion arson pair's funeral held Mansion arson pair's funeral held
(about 1 hour later)
A woman and his daughter who were murdered before their family mansion was set alight have been buried. A woman and her daughter who were murdered before their family mansion was set alight have been buried.
Christopher Foster, 50, killed wife Jill, 49, and daughter Kirstie, 15, before setting fire to the £1.2m home in Maesbrook, Shropshire, in August.Christopher Foster, 50, killed wife Jill, 49, and daughter Kirstie, 15, before setting fire to the £1.2m home in Maesbrook, Shropshire, in August.
About 100 mourners turned out for Mrs Foster and Kirstie's funeral. A separate service for Mr Foster was being held later. About 100 people turned out for Mrs Foster and Kirstie's funeral. A service for Mr Foster was being held later.
Mrs Foster and Kirstie were to be buried beside Mr Foster. In a statement, Mr Foster's brother, Andrew, said he would never come to terms with what had happened.
All three funerals were being held at St John's Church, Maesbrook.
'Extreme difficulty''Extreme difficulty'
Andrew Foster said: "Today we have finally been able to lay Jill and Kirstie to rest in a peaceful and dignified manner.
"We will never come to terms with what has happened and will never understand why Chris took Jill and Kirstie's lives away from them.
"We can only hope and pray that they now rest in peace."
All three funerals were being held at St John's Church, Maesbrook. Mr Foster was due to be buried beside Mrs Foster and Kirstie.
An inquest into the deaths has been opened and adjourned
The Fosters' family made the decision to bury all three on the same day in adjoining plots, the Diocese of Lichfield said.The Fosters' family made the decision to bury all three on the same day in adjoining plots, the Diocese of Lichfield said.
The two coffins of the mother and daughter, each adorned with pink floral arrangements, were taken into the church followed by the congregation.The two coffins of the mother and daughter, each adorned with pink floral arrangements, were taken into the church followed by the congregation.
The Venerable Tony Sadler, who led the service, said "no-one could have predicted such a tragedy as this could happen in the depth of this beautiful Shropshire countryside." The Venerable Tony Sadler, who led the service, said: "No-one could have predicted such a tragedy as this could happen in the depth of this beautiful Shropshire countryside."
All three were due to be buried at St John's Church in Maesbrook
He went on to describe how much Jill and Kirstie had loved living in Maesbrook, after moving to the village four years ago.He went on to describe how much Jill and Kirstie had loved living in Maesbrook, after moving to the village four years ago.
Kirstie was a "popular girl", he said, who loved horses and had her heart set on studying at the Equestrian College at Gloucester University.Kirstie was a "popular girl", he said, who loved horses and had her heart set on studying at the Equestrian College at Gloucester University.
Charity trust
He added: "The sadness of these latest events must not diminish the happiness of their earlier lives together."He added: "The sadness of these latest events must not diminish the happiness of their earlier lives together."
The priest said: "As Christians we are required to forgive - but for many at the moment, that is a step too far - the wounds are too raw.The priest said: "As Christians we are required to forgive - but for many at the moment, that is a step too far - the wounds are too raw.
"Even if we spoke words of forgiveness with our lips, they would be shallow and meaningless.""Even if we spoke words of forgiveness with our lips, they would be shallow and meaningless."
He added: "True forgiveness cannot be rushed.He added: "True forgiveness cannot be rushed.
"Living with unforgiveness may be the honest thing to do for the moment.""Living with unforgiveness may be the honest thing to do for the moment."
Charity trust
Mr Foster's mother Enid, 78, and his brother Andrew were among mourners who gathered at the church for the first funeral.Mr Foster's mother Enid, 78, and his brother Andrew were among mourners who gathered at the church for the first funeral.
CCTV footage
Many other people stood in the churchyard listening to the service on a loudspeaker system.Many other people stood in the churchyard listening to the service on a loudspeaker system.
The congregation heard that Mrs Foster's family had plans to set up a charity trust in Kirstie's memory called the Kirstie Foster Trust to Assist Riding for the Disabled. The congregation heard that Mrs Foster's family planned to set up a charity trust in Kirstie's memory called the Kirstie Foster Trust to Assist Riding for the Disabled.
After the fire police recovered CCTV footage from the remains of Osbaston House which showed a man strongly believed to be Mr Foster firing a rifle at a horsebox as the family home and its outbuildings burned early on 26 August.After the fire police recovered CCTV footage from the remains of Osbaston House which showed a man strongly believed to be Mr Foster firing a rifle at a horsebox as the family home and its outbuildings burned early on 26 August.
It was not until days after the fire that the bodies were discovered.
A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Foster's wife was shot in the head.A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Foster's wife was shot in the head.
Police have so far not been able to determine how Kirstie and her father died although they said they were not looking for anyone else over the deaths.Police have so far not been able to determine how Kirstie and her father died although they said they were not looking for anyone else over the deaths.
An inquest into the family's deaths has been opened and adjourned.An inquest into the family's deaths has been opened and adjourned.