A father has farewelled his daughter just two days before what should’ve been the little girl’s fourth birthday.

Instead of planning birthday celebrations for Sophia Rose, who was stabbed to death in the front yard of their Moore Park Home in Queensland, the 39-year-old father, Jai Ruane, told the Courier Mail he is attending her funeral on Saturday.

Sophia Rose was killed by her mother, Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, on May 26, while her other children, aged one and two, were inside the house.

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Flanigan was later found unresponsive in her Brisbane cell and died in hospital.

Flanigan was being held in custody until her next court appearance in July after being charged with murder. She had not yet entered a plea.

Sophia’s funeral service is being held in Victoria, where the young family have now moved to be closer to relatives and avoid painful memories at the home.

“Instead of celebrating Sophia’s fourth birthday, we’re having a funeral,” Ruane told the Courier Mail.

“A funeral that shouldn’t be happening, as there is supposed to be systems in place to protect children but that clearly failed.”

Ruane said Sophia’s birthday was always a big celebration for the family.

A lavish cake and family visiting from Melbourne for her first birthday, two parties for her second birthday — one in Queensland and one in Victoria, and a fairy party for her third birthday.

“Now, this weekend’s going to be a big event, but it’s not a birthday,” Ruane said.

Guests at the funeral have been asked to wear a “touch of pink” to the service, a nod to Sophia’s favourite colour, alongside purple, he said.

Ruane said he misses being woken up by an excited Sophia at 5.30am on the days when he was at home, and remembered her bubbly energy and big hugs.

“She just loved dancing and looking really pretty,” he told the outlet.

“She was just a real girly girl, strong character for her age too, was a real social butterfly.”

Ruane, who works as a fly-in-fly-out coal miner, was not at home at the time of his daughter’s death, but remembers the last moments he spent with Sophia fondly.

He previously opened up about his “bubbly” daughter Sophia, saying “she was the light of (my) life”.

“She was always smiling, always wanting to help, just so full of life and love. She just had such a huge heart,” Ruane said.

Flanigan’s death spared her from a life behind bars but also means Sophia’s tragic death will not be addressed in a criminal court.

“I’m not confident at all that we will get all of the answers. I do believe we will get some answers, though,” said Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn.

The coroner will investigate both Sophia’s murder and the circumstances of Flanigan’s death.

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