Tears at NZ woman's last farewell

The dog biscuits scattered about the Thai temple marked the memory of Leone Cosens at her funeral at Phuket Rawai Beach yesterday.

Mrs Cosens was New Zealand's first and so far only officially recognised death in Sunday's tsunami.

The native of Kapiti Coast, who had been based in Phuket for 12 years, was cremated after a mixed Buddhist and Christian ceremony.

About 150 mourners, some bearing injuries from the tidal wave, heard of her long dedication to Phuket's stray dog population.

Outside the temple, dogs sat behind mourners, attracted by the biscuits laid out for them.

One of Mrs Cosens' sisters, Gill Thomas, told of the Soi Dog organisation, an animal welfare charity created by her sister's efforts.

Ten monks in saffron robes chanted as husband Tim Cosens sobbed.

Mr Cosens was in a wheelchair, after being stricken by a stroke two months ago which him partially paralysed.

After a short service Mrs Cosens' body was carried into the neighbouring crematorium, where friends filed past in a final farewell.

Her sisters, Ms Thomas and Claire Gurunaphan, with Mr Cosens, saw the coffin into the flames.