Tara Palmer-Tomkinson's Funeral Takes Place, With Sister Sharing Touching Eulogy On Facebook

'I hope that you are resting, because you found life hard and now it is done.'

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson’s funeral has taken place in Hampshire, with her sister sharing the touching eulogy she read at the private service online. 

The socialite was laid to rest in front of a congregation of close family and friends on Monday (27 February). 

Santa Montefiore has posted the tribute she paid to her sister on her Facebook page, saying she hopes “angels wrap their wings” around her and she “heals in heaven”.

Read Santa’s eulogy in full: 

I know that Tara is here with us today in Spirit, so I’m going to address this to her.

My darling Tara,

I hope you know how much we miss you. From the moment you were born we were a family of five, but now we are four and that just isn’t right.

I hope you’re aware of all the lovely things people have written about you, and that you are touched, because you never believed you lit up a room or made people feel special, but you did. You really did.

I hope that you are resting, because you found life hard and now it is done.

My beloved sister, I don’t think you realised that success is never about the big things, but about the small things, and that just being you was enough.

I hope the old Dummer dogs have found you and given you a tremendous welcome, because you adored the dogs, and they will make Heaven feel more like home.

I hope the angels wrap their wings around you, because, although you shrank from embraces in life, you need to be hugged. You really do.

I hope you can make rabbit ears and witty rhymes up there, because your loopy humour was your gift to us and now it is your gift to them. How they will laugh. I envy them that.

As your sister I always wanted to look after you and I tried, I really tried. I hope they are looking after you now in Heaven and that you are letting them, and that you heal.

Most of all, my dearest Tara, I hope you know that we love you, with all our hearts, we really do.

Santa also shared a number of posts on her Twitter page, including the poignant last song that Tara had written and recorded, which was also played at the service.

The 45-year-old former socialite was found dead in her London home on 8 February. At the time, a police spokesperson said her death was being treated as “unexplained” but not “suspicious”.

A Coroner’s Report into her death later confirmed she died of natural causes, specifically a perforated ulcer.

Tara’s family later issued a full statement, insisting she was not in a “dark place” prior to her death, as some had claimed. 

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Tara Palmer Tomkinson with her sister Santa Montefiore
Yui Mok/PA Archive

“Tara died peacefully in her sleep due to a perforated ulcer and peritonitis,” they said. 

“Those that knew and were close to Tara knew that there was no retreat to a ‘dark place’ as some have disappointingly sought to suggest.

“In the last few weeks Tara was happy, positive and making plans for when she recovered her health.

“As usual she had been busy with the friends and family she loved, and who loved her in return.”

They added: “She was in communication with her family and others of whom she was fond over her final weekend and had spent a lot of her time recording music and playing the piano in her apartment – a sure sign that she was happy and feeling good.”

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson
(01 of30)
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ALNWICK, ENGLAND - JUNE 22: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the wedding of Melissa Percy and Thomas van Straubenzee at Alnwick Castle on June 22, 2013 in Alnwick, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images) (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
(02 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 18: Tara Palmer Tomkinson attends The Frost family final Summer Party to raise money for the Miles Frost Fund in partnership with the British Heart Foundation on July 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for British Heart Foundation) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(03 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends as Supporting Wounded Veterans and Skiing With Heroes host a private view of 'You Say You Want A Revolution: Records And Rebels 1966-70' at The V&A on October 3, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson (L) and Dame Joan Collins attend the launch of Dame Joan Collins' new book 'The St. Tropez Lonely Hearts Club' at Harry's Bar on May 5, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(05 of30)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 21: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson is sighted leaving the Westbury Hotel, Mayfair on October 21, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Niki Nikolova/FilmMagic) (credit:Niki Nikolova via Getty Images)
(06 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends Brown's Hotel Summer Party attends Brown's Hotel May 14, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images for Brown's Hotel, London) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(07 of30)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 07: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson sighting at Buddha Bar on April 6, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Niki Nikolova/FilmMagic) (credit:Niki Nikolova via Getty Images)
(08 of30)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 03: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the Blue concert at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire on May 3, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by C Brandon/Redferns via Getty Images) (credit:C Brandon via Getty Images)
(09 of30)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 25: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson seen arriving at Library members club launch on June 25, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by William A Parker/GC Images) (credit:William A Parker via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson seen visiting Richard Ward Hairdressers in Chelsea before heading to lunch on January 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle/GC Images) (credit:Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
(11 of30)
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LONDON - JUNE 18: Tara Palmer Tomkinson attends the BNP Paribas Tennis Classic at The Hurlingham Club on June 18, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(12 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 16: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the 175th Anniversary party of Brown's Hotel at Rocco Forte's Brown?s Hotel on May 16, 2013 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images for Rocco Forte's Brown's Hotel) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Tara Palmer Tomkinson attends the WTA Pre-Wimbledon Party presented by Dubai Duty Free at Kensington Roof Gardens on June 21, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:Dave M. Benett via Getty Images)
(14 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Tara Palmer Tomkinson attends the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition Preview Party at Royal Academy of Arts on May 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:Dave M. Benett via Getty Images)
(15 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the European premiere of The Lucky One at The Bluebird on April 23, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
(16 of30)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 06: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Duncan James and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson dine at Buddha Bar on April 6, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Robert Milan/FilmMagic) (credit:Mark Robert Milan via Getty Images)
(17 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Tara Palmer Tomkinson appears in store to launch the Klosters Snow Polo tournament at Hackett London on December 7, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images) (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
(18 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 17: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the opening night launch party for Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park on November 17, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images) (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
(19 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the summer party at The Serpentine Gallery on June 28, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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Tara Palmer-Tomkinson Arriving For The Pride Of Britain Awards At The Grosvenor House Hotel, London. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images) (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Tara Palmer Tomkinson attends the relaunch of the Beauty Hall at John Lewis Oxford Street Store on May 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage) (credit:Ferdaus Shamim via Getty Images)
(22 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 08: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends a cockail party celebrating 35 years of Taki's 'High Life' column hosted by Asprey and The Spectator at Asprey London on June 8, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:Dave M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Tara Palmer-Tomkinson arrives to attend the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 28: Tara Palmer Tomkinson attends the summer party at The Serpentine Gallery on June 28, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Fred Duval/FilmMagic) (credit:Fred Duval via Getty Images)
(25 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the Orange British Academy Film Awards nominees party hosted by Asprey London on February 12, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:Dave M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 16: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the Attitude Magazine Hot 100 party at Paramount Club on July 16, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images) (credit:Ben A. Pruchnie via Getty Images)
(27 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 01: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends a party to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Range Rover hosted by Vogue at The Orangery on July 1, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/Getty Images) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 07: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the private view of 'Art Of Giving' at Saatchi Gallery on October 7, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart Wilson via Getty Images)
(29 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Tara Palmer Tomkinson attends the Lastminute.com Summer Kick Off Party at The Mayfair Hotel on May 19, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Ferdaus Shamim/Getty Images) (credit:Ferdaus Shamim via Getty Images)
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LONDON - MAY 19: Tara Palmer Tomkinson attends the Lastminute.com Summer Kick Off Party at The Mayfair Hotel on May 19, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Ferdaus Shamim/Getty Images) (credit:Ferdaus Shamim via Getty Images)