THE FUNERAL OF six children killed in a house fire in Derby, England has taken place, six weeks after the fatal blaze.

More than 200 people attended the funeral service at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Derby this morning for the children. The children’s parents, who have been charged with murder, did not attend the mass.

Coffins bearing the children’s names in pink and blue letters were brought to the church on six horse-drawn carriages, ThisisDerbyshire reports.

Mourners at the service were handed roses with the children’s initials as they entered the church.

Five of the children – Jayden aged 5, Jessie aged 6, Jack aged 8, John aged 9, and Jade aged 10 –  died in the fire in the early hours of 11 May. The sixth child, 13-year-old Dwayne died in hospital two days later.

The parents of the children, Michael Philpott and Mairead Philpott, were charged with their murder on 30 May. A trial date has been set for January 2013. The couple will appear before the court in early November to enter a plea.

The fire is believed to have been started using petrol close to the front door of the home, the BBC reports.

An inquest into the deaths was opened at the Derby Coroner’s Court in May and subsequently adjourned.

Previously: Parents of six children who died in Derby fire charged with  murder >