The five coffins lay together before a packed congregation

Archie and Murdina MacPherson, their children, Andrew, seven, and Hannah, five, fled their home on South Uist during last Tuesday's storm.

Mrs MacPherson's father Calum Campbell was also killed.

The Reverend John Smith told mourners that life had been better because of the family's existence.

The funeral at St Mary's Church at Griminish, Benbecula, featured prayers, readings, hymns, accordion playing and a bagpiper.

Two white coffins

Three priests concelebrated Mass during the hour-and-a-half long service which also involved a Church of Scotland minister and a personal tribute from the former parish minister of South Uist, Rev Smith.

Huge floral tributes spelling out the names of the dead were placed at the foot of the altar.

Before a packed congregation, the five coffins lay in a row - the adults rested in three brown coffins, the two children in brilliant white.

Andrew and Hannah died with their parents and grandfather

Mourners from South Uist, Benbecula and further afield filled both the church and a nearby hall.

The police closed roads to allow the funeral cort�ge to travel to and from the church.

Mr and Mrs MacPherson, their children and Mr Campbell left their home to escape the flood waters caused by a severe and prolonged storm.

The family group was travelling in two cars which were swept away by waves which hit the road they were travelling on.

The bodies of Mr MacPherson, 36, Mrs MacPherson, 37, Mr Campbell, 67, were found last Wednesday.

Five-year-old Hannah's body was found on Thursday and search teams recovered seven-year-old Andrew's body on Friday.

Life is not measured by duration but by donation and they donated much to the community Rev John Smith

The couple had spent some years living on the mainland but returned to raise their children in what they believed to be a safer environment.

Towards the end of the service on a bleak and windy day, Rev Smith told mourners that words seemed inadequate because the situation was overwhelming.

He said: "Once again we are reminded of the brevity of life and that death is not a respecter of persons or of age."

Rev Smith, who was Mr MacPherson's uncle, added: "Archie and Murdina were married in 1995 and they were blessed with Andrew and Hannah, who brought such joy into their lives.

'Cruel blow'

"When Andrew was near school age they decided to return to Uist where they had been brought up and educated, in an island community they loved and in an environment and culture they so loved.

"Life looked so promising.

"Calum was a frequent visitor to their home, he was a piping instructor in the local schools and his skills were so willingly passed on to another generation.

Archie and Murdina MacPherson returned to South Uist

"But providence dealt them a very cruel blow which left those who loved them shattered.

"Life is not measured by duration but by donation and they donated much to the community in which they lived that will be long lasting and treasured.

"Hannah and Andrew, with their angelic faces, left an indelible impression on the hearts and minds of school and community.

"When thinking of them, one is overwhelmed by the amount of things that were better because they existed among us.

"The deaths are an irreparable loss to our island community and the hearts of multitudes have been hurt. But we are richer for having known them - they left behind a memory rich and fragrant. Thank God for them."

Rev Smith finished his address with a Gaelic prayer.

A piper played as the coffins were carried from the church.