The family of a teen who died from methanol poisoning while on holiday have paid tribute to her "profound impact", vowing to raise awareness to protect others from a similar fate.
A sea of colour flooded the grounds of Melbourne's Mentone Girls Grammar as more than 1000 mourners turned out to farewell Bianca Jones on Friday, after she died in a Bangkok hospital on November 21.
Ms Jones was on holiday in Laos with her best friend Holly Bowles when the pair consumed drinks containing methanol in a mass drink-spiking event in the popular tourist town of Vang Vieng.
The 19-year-olds, from Beaumaris in Melbourne's southeast, were among six foreign nationals who died, with Ms Bowles dying a day after Ms Jones in another hospital in Thailand's capital.
Ms Jones' family thanked Australians and the local community for the outpouring of love, support and compassion during an extremely difficult time.
"Your kindness has been a source of strength and comfort for our family," they said in a statement read to media by school principal Natalie Charles before the funeral.
"Today is a profoundly significant day as we come together to honour Bianca's life and to say our final goodbyes.
"The immense love shown by so many is a testament to the profound impact she had, reflected in the scale of today's farewell."
The Jones family said the girls' legacies were "far too important to be forgotten, and our children's lives too important not to protect" as they vowed to raise awareness for methanol poisoning.
"We hope their stories drive change and inspire efforts to save lives to support our ongoing mission," they said in the statement.
Deep tones of an organ filled the air as hymns flowed out from the memorial hall during the service.
Following the funeral service, mourners gathered outside and wiped away tears as a guard of honour was formed for Ms Jones' coffin, which was carried out by her family and followed by her dog Zara.
Their colourful summer clothes matched the bright floral arrangement that adorned her coffin, the way Ms Jones' family said she lived her life and how she would wish to be remembered.
As mourners trickled out following the celebration of Ms Jones' life, some hugged, others sobbed, but smiles and laughter also filled the air.
The Jones family asked supporters to give to a GoFundMe fundraiser in lieu of flowers, which was set up to relieve their financial burden as well as fund efforts on education campaigns to raise awareness of methanol poisoning.
The pair did not leave their dorm at the Nana Backpacker Hostel 24 hours after going to Jaidee Bar in Laos and reported feeling unwell on November 13, before being rushed to hospitals in Bangkok.
Thai authorities have confirmed Ms Jones died of "brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system".
An American man, two Danish women and a British woman were among those who died and at least eight people, believed to be hotel staff and management, have been detained.
Australian Federal Police have offered to help the Laos probe, while the federal government sought a thorough and transparent investigation by local officials.
A funeral service will be held for Ms Bowles on Monday.
