15 December 2012 Last updated at 10:27 ET

Jacintha Saldanha: Children describe 'unfillable void'

Benedict Barboza: "I feel a part of me has been ripped out."

The children of the nurse found hanged days after answering a hoax call about the Duchess of Cambridge have described the "unfillable void" she has left.

Jacintha Saldanha, 46, was found dead in accommodation attached to King Edward VII hospital last week.

Her husband, Benedict, daughter Lisha, 14, and son Junal, 16, attended a Mass at Westminster Cathedral.

In a joint tribute the children said: "We are shattered and there's an unfillable void in our lives."

"The house is an empty dwelling without your presence," they added.

Catholics can request that a Mass be offered in the name of a dead person.

'Kind-hearted'

Memorial services have already been held at the hospital and in Bristol where her husband and children live.

Analysis

Richard Lister BBC News correspondent

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This was not a memorial service for Jacintha Saldanha - Westminster Cathedral said that would come later if the family wanted it. But the Latin Mass here was given in her name, at the family's request.

They arrived with the air of calm and dignity that they've maintained throughout this ordeal, walking slowly to the great cathedral doors with 20 camera crews recording their every movement. Inside, a group of family friends who'd made the journey from Bristol had already joined the congregation.

The press were not admitted, giving those gathered the privacy to reflect on the person they had lost.

Later, Mrs Saldanha's family paid tribute to her outside, as a chill wind blew across the cathedral courtyard.

Her husband, Benedict Barboza, named and thanked many of those who had given their support. He did not mention the King Edward VII Hospital.

Mrs Saldanha's funeral will take place at Our Lady of Health Church in the town of Shirva in Karnataka, India, on Monday.

In a tribute read out at the service, the children described their mother as "kind-hearted, generous and well-respected".

They said: "You were the core of the family that kept us together. In times of difficulty, you showed us the way forward to happiness and success.

"Your priority for us was a good education and a bright future. You taught us right from wrong which we appreciate. You worked tirelessly to give us everything that we have today."

Lisha read out the following tribute after the service: "We love you Mum, sleep in peace and please watch over us until we meet again in Heaven. We will always love you and keep you close to our hearts."

Mrs Saldanha was found dead eight days ago in London.

She had answered a call on 4 December from two Australian DJs pretending to be the Queen and the Prince of Wales wanting to speak to the pregnant duchess who was being treated for acute morning sickness.

Her husband, Benedict Barboza, said in his tribute: "My wife, you were the light in my darkness, who always showed me the way forward. From the day we met, you always stood by me in times of hardship and happiness. I feel a part of me has been ripped out.

"Without your beautiful smile and sparkling personality, the house is an empty place to live. Nineteen years of togetherness with a strong bond of affection and understanding will be cherished forever in my life. Your loss is a very painful one and nobody can take that place in my life ever again. I love you and miss you forever."

Mr Barboza thanked everybody who had offered support and comfort, including Prime Minister David Cameron, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and MPs Keith Vaz and Charlotte Leslie.

On Thursday an inquest at Westminster's Coroner Court heard that Mrs Saldanha was found hanged. She left three suicide notes.

'High-profile' patients

The hospital has said that senior managers tried to reassure Mrs Saldanha "on a number of occasions" that no blame was attached to her for putting the hoax call through to the duchess' ward.

Memorial services have been held for Jacintha Saldanha in London and Bristol

In a letter to MP Keith Vaz, which was released by the hospital on Friday evening, chief executive John Lofthouse explained the protocol in place for dealing with calls to "high-profile" patients.

"Part of our procedure is to take the name and number of the individual and call them back. This is in order to verify that the call is genuine. We also empower our staff to use their judgement.

"On this particular occasion, Jacintha believed that the call was genuine, and she felt it appropriate to put the call through. We stand by her judgement."

The hospital has insisted that Mrs Saldanha was not facing disciplinary proceedings - "because she had been the victim of a cruel trick."

The letter also said she had been offered time off but she said she would prefer to continue working. "Neither ourselves, her friends or family noticed anything to give cause for concern," Mr Lofthouse said.