They should not have been there, because Tara should be here.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at a Gold Coast church today to farewell domestic violence victim Tara Brown.

The 24-year-old mother died last week as a result of injuries allegedly inflicted by her ex-boyfriend.

A handful of those who attended the funeral wore custom made T-shirts with the phrases such as “Carpe Diem” and “Rest in Love Tara Brown” written in cursive below pictures of her.

Other mourners were seen simply wearing white ribbons.

Tara Brown.

A family member took to Facebook to thank those that have reached out over the past week.

“Our family thanks everyone for the overwhelming support we have received and appreciate it so much,” the post on a tribute page read.

Many of them attended the service, including her Brown’s three-year-old daughter.

Her aunt, Maria Hinton, spoke at the service remebering her niece as “a girl of beauty, a diamond … priceless, precious and perfect,” according to the Brisbane Times.

She said that Tara’s death had broken their hearts.

“You amazed us with your beauty, moved us to tears, and challenged us to do everything in our power to make this world a safer place for our children and one another,” she said.

“You have impacted our lives. Tara, know that we love you, know that you are and always will be cherished in our hearts.”

Tara Brown’s friends wore custom made t-shirts emblazoned with white ribbons to her funeral on the Gold Coast today. Image via Channel 9.

A workmate spoke about Brown’s diligence, her love of taking selfies and occasionally questionable spelling.

It was one of her uncles, however, who hammered home the other message of the day, calling for action on domestic violence.

“With a heavy heart and a love so strong, I pray for an end to this violence,” he said.

“If you’re a woman out there, you know who you are, please don’t live in silence.”

Last week, an Instagram post by journalist Lisa Wilkinson went viral in which she described Brown’s death as the unnecessary tragedy it was – and also issued a call to arms.

“This country is in crisis. Real crisis. Domestic violence has reached epidemic proportions. And this is all happening against a backdrop of shelters being closed, and helplines losing funding.

“Please, don’t let Tara’s death – or all the hundreds of others we are losing in ever-greater numbers each and every year to domestic violence – just pass by unnoticed.”

Lisa Wilkinson’s Instagram post in full.

Lionel Patea, a former bikie, is accused of running Brown’s car off the road and bashing her to death while she was trapped in the wreckage,

Patea, who was a member of the Bandidos, has had his charges upgraded to murder after appearing in a Gold Coast court yesterday via video link.

The case has been adjourned until November.