Hundreds of mourners have joined a father to pay their respects to his wife and five children who died in a house fire.
Sabah Usmani, a doctor, and her children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three - died in the blaze in Barn Mead, Harlow, Essex, last week.
Father and husband Dr Abdul Shakoor, who tried to rescue his family, was the only survivor.
On Wednesday about 400 people filled the Harlow Islamic Centre for a traditional Muslim funeral.
Paramedics, firefighters and police officers who dealt with the blaze attended. Teachers and pupils who studied alongside the children also joined members of the Islamic community.
Imam Muhammed Saleem led prayers for the family.
The imam reassured mourners that, under Islamic tradition, those killed by fire die as martyrs.
He added: "We all belong to Allah. Whoever comes into this world has to also pass from this world."
A foot procession to the nearby Parndon Wood Cemetery followed prayers at the centre.
Six hearses led the way, from that carrying the smallest coffin, belonging to Maheen, who was due to celebrate her fourth birthday yesterday, to Dr Usmani at the rear.
Dr Shakoor followed behind, with community elders holding his hand in a show of solidarity.
Members of the public stood along the roadside to pay their tributes.
Each coffin, topped with flowers, carried the words: "Victim of the Harlow house fire."
Parvez Hamed, a close friend of the family, said: "I spent yesterday with Dr Shakoor.
"What he is going through it unimaginable and we all share his pain. We hope today can begin to bring some closure."
Essex Police initially treated the blaze as a suspected arson attack but no trace of an accelerant used to spark the flames has been found.
Although officers continue to investigate all possibilities it is now thought "increasingly likely" the fire was a tragic accident.
Harlow house blaze funeral
Dr Abdul Shakoor, the husband of Sabah Usmani, also a doctor, who along with their children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three - died in a house blaze in Barn Mead, Harlow, Essex, last week, walks immediately behind the funeral cortege as it arrives at Parndon Wood Cemetery, in Harlow, for their burial following their funeral service at Harlow Islamic Centre.
Harlow house blaze funeral
Mourners walk behind the funeral cortege of Sabah Usmani, a doctor, who along with her children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three - died in a house blaze in Barn Mead, Harlow, Essex, as it arrives at Parndon Wood Cemetery, in Harlow, for their burial following their funeral service at Harlow Islamic Centre.
Harlow house blaze funeral
Dr Abdul Shakoor (third left), the husband of Sabah Usmani, also a doctor, who along with their children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three - died in a house blaze in Barn Mead, Harlow, Essex, last week, walks immediately behind the funeral cortege as it arrives at Parndon Wood Cemetery, in Harlow, for their burial following their funeral service at Harlow Islamic Centre.
The Funeral For Sabah Usmani And Her Children Who Were Killed In A House Fire In Harlow
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: The husband of Sabah Usmani, Dr Abdul Shakoor (C), and members of the Muslim Community and friends and family of Sabah Usmani and her five children, who were killed in a house fire, follow the funeral cortege to the crematorium after a service of prayer on October 24, 2012 in Harlow, England. Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, 6, and daughter Hira, 13, died in a house fire in Harlow on October 15. Her other son, Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen, 3, both died later in hospital. Her husband, who was released from hospital last week, lead the funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre, which was attended by some 200 mourners. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The Funeral For Sabah Usmani And Her Children Who Were Killed In A House Fire In Harlow
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: The husband of Sabah Usmani, Dr Abdul Shakoor (3rd R), and members of the Muslim Community and friends and family of Sabah Usmani and her five children, who were killed in a house fire, follow the funeral cortege to the crematorium after a service of prayer on October 24, 2012 in Harlow, England. Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, 6, and daughter Hira, 13, died in a house fire in Harlow on October 15. Her other son, Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen, 3, both died later in hospital. Her husband, who was released from hospital last week, lead the funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre, which was attended by some 200 mourners. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Harlow house blaze funeral
Dr Abdul Shakoor (front row, right) follows the funeral cortege of his wife Sabah Usmani and children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three - who died during a fire at there home in Barn Mead, Harlow, Essex, last week, as it makes it's way along Paringdon Road following a service at Harlow Islamic Centre, the father and husband Dr Abdul Shakoor was the only survivor.
Harlow house blaze funeral
Dr Abdul Shakoor follows the funeral cortege of his wife Sabah Usmani and children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three - who died during a fire at there home in Barn Mead, Harlow, Essex, last week, as it makes it's way along Paringdon Road following a service at Harlow Islamic Centre, the father and husband Dr Abdul Shakoor was the only survivor.
Harlow house blaze funeral
Dr Abdul Shakoor (right) follows the funeral cortege of his wife Sabah Usmani and children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three - who died during a fire at there home in Barn Mead, Harlow, Essex, last week, as it makes it's way along Paringdon Road following a service at Harlow Islamic Centre, the father and husband Dr Abdul Shakoor was the only survivor.
Harlow house blaze funeral
Dr Abdul Shakoor (front row, left) follows the funeral cortege of his wife Sabah Usmani and children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three - who died during a fire at there home in Barn Mead, Harlow, Essex, last week, as it makes it's way along Paringdon Road following a service at Harlow Islamic Centre, the father and husband Dr Abdul Shakoor was the only survivor.
Harlow house blaze funeral
The funeral cortege of Sabah Usmani, a doctor, who along with her children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three - died in the blaze in Barn Mead, Harlow, Essex, last week,makes it's way along Paringdon Road following a service at Harlow Islamic Centre, the father and husband Dr Abdul Shakoor was the only survivor.
Harlow house blaze funeral
Dr Abdul Shakoor (front row, second from right) follows the funeral cortege of his wife Sabah Usmani and children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three - who died during a fire at there home in Barn Mead, Harlow, Essex, last week, as it makes it's way along Paringdon Road following a service at Harlow Islamic Centre, the father and husband Dr Abdul Shakoor was the only survivor.
Harlow house blaze funeral
Dr Abdul Shakoor (front row, right) follows the funeral cortege of his wife Sabah Usmani and children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three - who died during a fire at there home in Barn Mead, Harlow, Essex, last week, as it makes it's way along Paringdon Road following a service at Harlow Islamic Centre, the father and husband Dr Abdul Shakoor was the only survivor.
The Funeral For Sabah Usmani And Her Children Who Were Killed In A House Fire In Harlow
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Members of the Muslim Community and friends and family of Sabah Usmani and her five children, who were killed in a house fire, follow the funeral cortege to the crematorium after a service of prayer on October 24, 2012 in Harlow, England. Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, 6, and daughter Hira, 13, died in a house fire in Harlow on October 15. Her other son, Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen, 3, both died later in hospital. Her husband Dr Abdul Shakoor, who was released from hospital last week, lead the funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre, which was attended by some 200 mourners. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The Funeral For Sabah Usmani And Her Children Who Were Killed In A House Fire In Harlow
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: The husband of Sabah Usmani, Dr Abdul Shakoor (C), and members of the Muslim Community and friends and family of Sabah Usmani and her five children, who were killed in a house fire, follow the funeral cortege to the crematorium after a service of prayer on October 24, 2012 in Harlow, England. Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, 6, and daughter Hira, 13, died in a house fire in Harlow on October 15. Her other son, Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen, 3, both died later in hospital. Her husband, who was released from hospital last week, lead the funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre, which was attended by some 200 mourners. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The Funeral For Sabah Usmani And Her Children Who Were Killed In A House Fire In Harlow
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: The husband of Sabah Usmani, Dr Abdul Shakoor (3rd L), and members of the Muslim Community and friends and family of Sabah Usmani and her five children, who were killed in a house fire, follow the funeral cortege to the crematorium after a service of prayer on October 24, 2012 in Harlow, England. Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, 6, and daughter Hira, 13, died in a house fire in Harlow on October 15. Her other son, Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen, 3, both died later in hospital. Her husband, who was released from hospital last week, lead the funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre, which was attended by some 200 mourners. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The Funeral For Sabah Usmani And Her Children Who Were Killed In A House Fire In Harlow
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: The husband of Sabah Usmani, Dr Abdul Shakoor (5th L), and members of the Muslim Community and friends and family of Sabah Usmani and her five children, who were killed in a house fire, follow the funeral cortege to the crematorium after a service of prayer on October 24, 2012 in Harlow, England. Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, 6, and daughter Hira, 13, died in a house fire in Harlow on October 15. Her other son, Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen, 3, both died later in hospital. Her husband, who was released from hospital last week, lead the funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre, which was attended by some 200 mourners. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The Funeral For Sabah Usmani And Her Children Who Were Killed In A House Fire In Harlow
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: The husband of Sabah Usmani, Dr Abdul Shakoor (R), and members of the Muslim Community and friends and family of Sabah Usmani and her five children, who were killed in a house fire, follow the funeral cortege to the crematorium after a service of prayer on October 24, 2012 in Harlow, England. Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, 6, and daughter Hira, 13, died in a house fire in Harlow on October 15. Her other son, Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen, 3, both died later in hospital. Her husband, who was released from hospital last week, lead the funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre, which was attended by some 200 mourners. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The Funeral For Sabah Usmani And Her Children Who Were Killed In A House Fire In Harlow
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: The husband of Sabah Usmani, Dr Abdul Shakoor (5th R), and members of the Muslim Community and friends and family of Sabah Usmani and her five children, who were killed in a house fire, follow the funeral cortege to the crematorium after a service of prayer on October 24, 2012 in Harlow, England. Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, 6, and daughter Hira, 13, died in a house fire in Harlow on October 15. Her other son, Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen, 3, both died later in hospital. Her husband, who was released from hospital last week, lead the funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre, which was attended by some 200 mourners. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The Funeral For Sabah Usmani And Her Children Who Were Killed In A House Fire In Harlow
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Members of the Ambulance Services react during a service of prayer for Sabah Usmani and her five children, who were killed in a house fire on October 24, 2012 in Harlow, England. Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, 6, and daughter Hira, 13, died in a house fire in Harlow on October 15. Her other son, Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen, 3, both died later in hospital. Her husband, who was released from hospital last week, lead the funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre, which was attended by some 200 mourners. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The Funeral For Sabah Usmani And Her Children Who Were Killed In A House Fire In Harlow
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: A service of prayer is held at the Harlow Islamic Centre for Sabah Usmani and her five children, who were killed in a house fire on October 24, 2012 in Harlow, England. Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, 6, and daughter Hira, 13, died in a house fire in Harlow on October 15. Her other son, Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen, 3, both died later in hospital. Her husband Dr Abdul Shakoor, who was released from hospital last week, lead the funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre, which was attended by some 200 mourners. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The Funeral For Sabah Usmani And Her Children Who Were Killed In A House Fire In Harlow
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: A service of prayer is held at the Harlow Islamic Centre for Sabah Usmani and her five children, who were killed in a house fire on October 24, 2012 in Harlow, England. Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, 6, and daughter Hira, 13, died in a house fire in Harlow on October 15. Her other son, Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen, 3, both died later in hospital. Her husband Dr Abdul Shakoor, who was released from hospital last week, lead the funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre, which was attended by some 200 mourners. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The Funeral For Sabah Usmani And Her Children Who Were Killed In A House Fire In Harlow
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Members of the Ambulance Services react during a service of prayer for the family of Sabah Usmani and her five children, who were killed in a house fire on October 24, 2012 in Harlow, England. Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, 6, and daughter Hira, 13, died in a house fire in Harlow on October 15. Her other son, Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen, 3, both died later in hospital. Her husband, who was released from hospital last week, lead the funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre, which was attended by some 200 mourners. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The Funeral For Sabah Usmani And Her Children Who Were Killed In A House Fire In Harlow
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: A service of prayer is held at the Harlow Islamic Centre for Sabah Usmani and her five children, who were killed in a house fire on October 24, 2012 in Harlow, England. Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, 6, and daughter Hira, 13, died in a house fire in Harlow on October 15. Her other son, Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen, 3, both died later in hospital. Her husband Dr Abdul Shakoor, who was released from hospital last week, lead the funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre, which was attended by some 200 mourners. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The Funeral For Sabah Usmani And Her Children Who Were Killed In A House Fire In Harlow
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: The husband of Sabah Usmani, Dr Abdul Shakoor (5th R), and members of the Muslim Community and friends and family of Sabah Usmani and her five children, who were killed in a house fire, follow the funeral cortege to the crematorium after a service of prayer on October 24, 2012 in Harlow, England. Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, 6, and daughter Hira, 13, died in a house fire in Harlow on October 15. Her other son, Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen, 3, both died later in hospital. Her husband, who was released from hospital last week, lead the funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre, which was attended by some 200 mourners. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The Funeral For Sabah Usmani And Her Children Who Were Killed In A House Fire In Harlow
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Members of the Ambulance Services react during a service of prayer for Sabah Usmani and her five children, who were killed in a house fire on October 24, 2012 in Harlow, England. Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, 6, and daughter Hira, 13, died in a house fire in Harlow on October 15. Her other son, Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen, 3, both died later in hospital. Her husband, who was released from hospital last week, lead the funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre, which was attended by some 200 mourners. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Three Children And A Woman Die In House Fire
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: A police officer stands near a house where five people died in a fire on October 15, 2012 in Harlow, England. A woman and four children have died and another three are in hospital after a fire in a house on an estate near Harlow in Essex. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Three Children And A Woman Die In House Fire
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: A police officer stands near a house where five people died in a fire on October 15, 2012 in Harlow, England. A woman and four children have died and another three are in hospital after a fire in a house on an estate near Harlow in Essex. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Three Children And A Woman Die In House Fire
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Police officers stand near a house where five people died in a fire on October 15, 2012 in Harlow, England. A woman and four children have died and another three are in hospital after a fire in a house on an estate near Harlow in Essex. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Three Children And A Woman Die In House Fire
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Flowers are left at a street sign denoting the name of the road where a house fire killed five people on October 15, 2012 in Harlow, England. A woman and four children have died and another three are in hospital after a fire in a house on an estate near Harlow in Essex. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Three Children And A Woman Die In House Fire
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Flowers are left at a street sign denoting the name of the road where a house fire killed five people on October 15, 2012 in Harlow, England. A woman and four children have died and another three are in hospital after a fire in a house on an estate near Harlow in Essex. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Three Children And A Woman Die In House Fire
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Police remove a burnt out car near a house where five people died in a fire on October 15, 2012 in Harlow, England. A woman and four children have died and another three are in hospital after a fire in a house on an estate near Harlow in Essex. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Three Children And A Woman Die In House Fire
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Flowers are left at a road sign denoting the name of the road where a house fire killed five people on October 15, 2012 in Harlow, England. A woman and four children have died and another three are in hospital are a fire in a house on an estate near Harlow in Essex. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Three Children And A Woman Die In House Fire
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: A fire officer inspects the back of a fire damaged house where five people died on October 15, 2012 in Harlow, England. A woman and four children have died and another three are in hospital after a fire in a house on an estate near Harlow in Essex. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Three Children And A Woman Die In House Fire
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Fire damage shows at the back of a house where four people died in a fire on October 15, 2012 in Harlow, England. A woman and three children have died and another three are in hospital after a fire in a house on an estate near Harlow in Essex. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Three Children And A Woman Die In House Fire
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: A burnt suitcase lies on the ground outside a house in which four people have died in a fire on October 15, 2012 in Harlow, England. A woman and three children have died and another three are in hospital after a fire in a house on an estate near Harlow in Essex. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Three Children And A Woman Die In House Fire
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Fire brigade officers look at the remains of a burnt out car near a house fire on October 15, 2012 in Harlow, England. A woman and three children have died and another three are in hospital after a fire in a house on an estate near Harlow in Essex. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
The Funeral For Sabah Usmani And Her Children Who Were Killed In A House Fire In Harlow
HARLOW, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: The funeral cortege of Sabah Usmani and her five children, who were killed in a house fire, arrives for a service of prayer at the Harlow Islamic Centre on October 24, 2012 in Harlow, England. Dr Sabah Usmani and her sons Sohaib, 11, and Rayyan, 6, and daughter Hira, 13, died in a house fire in Harlow on October 15. Her other son, Muneeb, 9, and daughter Maheen, 3, both died later in hospital. Her husband, who was released from hospital last week, lead the funeral at Harlow Islamic Centre, which was attended by some 200 mourners. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Harlow house blaze funeral
Floral tributes left at Barn Mead in Harlow in memory of Sabah Usmani and children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three -who died during a fire at there home in Barn Mead, Harlow, Essex, last week, the father and husband Dr Abdul Shakoor was the only survivor.
Harlow house blaze funeral
Floral tributes left at Barn Mead in Harlow in memory of Sabah Usmani and children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three -who died during a fire at there home in Barn Mead, Harlow, Essex, last week, the father and husband Dr Abdul Shakoor was the only survivor.
Harlow house blaze funeral
Floral tributes left at Barn Mead in Harlow in memory of Sabah Usmani and children - Hira, 12, Sohaib, 11, Muneeb, nine, Rayyan, six, and Maheen, three -who died during a fire at there home in Barn Mead, Harlow, Essex, last week, the father and husband Dr Abdul Shakoor was the only survivor.
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PA | Posted: 24/10/2012 15:23 BST Updated: 24/10/2012 16:44 BST