Bench in memory of Sherin Mathews unveiled in Dallas

Teary-eyed community members have unveiled a permanent site in memory of Sherin Mathews, the Indian toddler who went missing mysteriously and was found dead in a culvert, at an interfaith ceremony at a cemetery in Dallas.

A granite bench engraved with 3-yearold Sherin's name and an epitaph adorns the landscaped site, in a portion of the Restland Funeral home and Cemetery in Dallas. The bench was unveiled at a portion of the cemetery dedicated to young children. The epitaph of Sherin reads: "A life that touches others goes on forever."

Community members gathered in large numbers on aturday despite chilly weather to honour the short life of Sherin. There was not a single dry eye during an hour-long inter-faith ceremony. Organisers also put together a memorial video of Sherin -- tiny and smiling. Later, the members walked out to the bench and paid their tributes. Doves were released as a last tribute to Sherin. Stuffed toys were also collected to donate in Sherin's honour.

Sherin was buried on October 31 at the southwest portion of the cemetery at the Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Dallas at a funeral held secretly to avoid the intense media glare following her tragic death.

At that time, the burial location was kept a secret, considering the intense press and social media attention in the case. Holding back her tears, memorial organiser Shari Block said, "She's going to live in our hearts forever and it really means a lot to have a place for the child. Most of us only knew her from afar, but with her tragic loss, those who mourn Sherin needed a place to grieve." The granite bench was donated by a Richardson resident, Eugene Champagne. He had won the bench in a raffle. "I won that for a reason," said Champagne.