Mel Schilling, the beloved Married At First Sight star, has been laid to rest in a private ceremony, with her 10-year-old daughter Maddie delivering a poignant and heartfelt speech that moved everyone present. The family gathered on 9th April to honour Mel, who passed away in March after revealing her cancer had become terminal.
A Private Farewell
Mel’s husband Gareth took to Instagram to share details of the intimate ceremony, which was held for close family and friends. The service was also streamed to Mel’s relatives in Australia. Gareth wrote: “We laid Mel to rest on the 9th April. It was a lovely private ceremony for family and close friends which we streamed to Mel’s family in Oz.”
He continued: “Maddie announced on the morning of the funeral that she had written a little speech which she delivered beautifully. Every inch her mother’s daughter and I couldn’t be prouder.” The tribute highlighted Maddie’s courage and resemblance to her mother’s strength.
Scattering Ashes in Northern Ireland
Following the funeral, the family honoured Mel’s final wish by scattering some of her ashes at the lighthouse in Whitehead, Northern Ireland, Gareth’s hometown. He explained: “It’s a special place that really resonated with her, a place where strangers say hello as you pass, and a place we can now come back to to reflect on our incredible 15 years together.”
Moving to Bali for a New Chapter
Gareth also revealed plans to relocate to Bali with Maddie to begin their “next chapter.” He said: “In a few short weeks Maddie and I will be welcomed back into the arms of mother Bali where we will begin our next chapter. No better place to heal, a place that we all loved and where we still have some of our dearest friends who had the most wonderful blessing ceremony for Mel at our new villa last weekend.”
The family chose a photograph of Mel in white as her funeral portrait, which Gareth described as “equal parts glam, warmth and vulnerability which was her all over.” He concluded: “Love and light to you all.”
