A grieving Auckland father wants the death of his baby girl to inspire others to draw their loved ones closer.
Saylor Rose Kerlin, 2, was found unconscious in a friend's pool on October 4. She died four days later surrounded by friends and family in Starship Hospital's intensive care.
Her father, Conor Kerlin, hopes a ray of sunshine can be cast from the tragic accident. He wants it to be a wake-up call for people to treasure their loved ones. If there's someone you've been meaning to call, do it today, he said.
"As humans we can be quite selfish at times. We hold grudges and focus on the things that aren't as important and as amazing like being together as a family.
"I want people to hold their kids tighter and forget the mundane, petty things that are breaking up families around this world.
"Instead of being sad and crying we want to remind people we were lucky to be a part of her life."
On the day of the tragedy, the Muriwai family dropped by a good friend's house to collect snow gear. They were heading to Ruapehu so the children could see snow for the first time.
Saylor Rose walked off in the throng of kids that bounced around the house while the parents were talking.
She was discovered in the swimming pool. Saylor Rose's mother Chantal Kerlin gave her CPR until the ambulance arrived.
"She slipped around not where she was meant to be. We saw her too late," she said.
"It was just a horrible tragic accident... there are moments you can't be there when your child needs you."
The couple have two older children Marley, 9, and Luciana, 6.
The funeral will take place at Muriwai Surf Club on Sunday. Any money from the funeral will be donated to Muriwai surf school for little nippers.
Funds from their Givealittle page will go towards the family travelling for charitable projects.
The Kerlins also want to set up a fund to support the nurses in Starship Hospital's Intensive Care Unit to acknowledge the good work of the "unrecognised heros".
