Lyndal and Matt Trott release balloons at the funeral of their son Sam. Picture: Alf Sorbello Source: News Limited

Sam Trott, who was farewelled today with a service at the West Chapel at Pinnaroo Cemetery. Source: News Limited

The blond-haired, blue-eyed toddler, who captured hearts across WA when he went missing from his Landsdale home 12 days ago, was farewelled at Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park.

The autistic 2½-year-old’s body was found in a lake near his home the day after his disappearance prompted an “unprecedented” outpouring of community support in a huge search led by police and SES volunteers.

In a sign of their thanks, Sam’s parents extended an open invitation to the public to his funeral.

His tiny coffin was surrounded by about 500 teddy bears as the 400 mourners heard from his brave parents Matthew and Lyndal and his therapists Chloe Boardley and Irina Risteska.

Many people who helped with the search for Sam attended the funeral. Picture: Alf Sorbello Source: News Limited

Mrs Trott said her son had “the most beautiful soft skin”, loved strawberries and bubble baths but joked how he disliked having his hair brushed.

“He had stunning eyes … he loved going anywhere in the car,” Mrs Trott said. “He never ever called me mummy, but I knew he was trying really hard and I was more than happy with that.

“He loved being pushed on his swing, he was happy and he laughed a lot.

“He worked so hard to learn the simplest of things and we celebrated every single achievement.

“He was tough, he was brave, fearless, special and just perfect.”

Mr Trott said Sam had an “infectious personality” and was known fondly by his family as “Sammy Giggle”.

“We were working hard to give Sam the help he needed and he was working even harder in his therapy and we were seeing results,” he said.

“Throughout the devastation of the last week we have had countless words of support, many referring to his beautiful eyes, his gorgeous smile or his infectious laugh.

“And we realise this in itself was an amazing achievement.”

Sam Trott’s coffin, decorated with flowers. Picture: Alf Sorbello Source: News Limited

Toys and tributes to Sam inside the chapel. Picture: Alf Sorbello Source: News Limited

Ms Boardley recalled the first day she met Sam – it was December 10, 2013.

“At nearly 19 months old, he was just gorgeous and the youngest child I had worked with,” she said.

“There are no words to describe beautiful Sammy other than sunshine. Other children may have wanted rewards such as toys or food but for Sam the best thing we could give him was a tickle or a hug.”

Singers Chris and Courtney Murphy also attended yesterday’s service.

The pair sang moving renditions of Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton and Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns and Roses.

An audio and visual celebration of the toddler’s short life, screened on TVs both inside and outside the chapel, brought mourners to tears of laughter and sadness.

At the end of the service, Sam’s parents, supported by family and friends, released dozens of balloons.

The 500 teddy bears that sat by his coffin yesterday will be donated to children in need.

A moving audio-visual presentation celebrating Sam’s life was shown at the funeral. Picture: Alf Sorbello Source: News Limited