Inside Hannah McGuire's funeral: Footy stars and students gather to farewell 'heart of gold' teacher after she was allegedly murdered by her ex - as her brother is freed from prison to attend her funeral

Hundreds have gathered to say goodbye to Hannah McGuire in a moving funeral service, including AFL stars and her jailed brother who was granted a release to attend.

The body of Ms McGuire was discovered in a burnt-out car near State Forest Rd, close to Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria, on April 5. Lachlan Young, 21, has been charged over his ex-partner's alleged murder.

Essendon captain Zach Merrett and teammate Jake Stringer were among the mourners who spilled out of a Ballarat funeral home on Monday to pay their final respects to the 23-year-old teacher's aide.

Merrett and Stringer are believed to be good friends of Ms McGuire's parents, who own a pub in the country town of Clunes. 

Prison guards were seen escorting Hannah McGuire's brother, Fletcher McGuire, into the chapel before whisking him away back to jail following the service.

McGuire was sentenced to four years and five months over a car jacking, just days his sister's alleged murdered. 

His father was seen consoling him and his other son Jude as the hearse made its way out off to the cemetery. 

In the saddest of scenes, Mr McGuire could not bring himself to let his daughter go, and walked alone behind the hearse as it drove away.

The beloved teacher's aide's students paid tribute to her in a touching video played during the ceromony.

Some pupils were seen outside the chapel with their devastated parents. 

One by one, the Delacombe Primary School kids looked into the camera and bravely spoke about how much Ms McGuire had meant to them. 

'Hannah wasn't just a teacher she was a friend and we'll miss her,' one child said.

'She gave me cuddles. I loved her heaps. She helped us when we needed her,' another said. 

One by one they spoke of a woman who cared and went out of her way to make them feel good about themselves.  

'She always made me smile and it was a joy to see her everyday,' a pupil said. 

'She was always happy and had a smile on her face ... I wish she could come back, but she can't come back.'

In leading the service, celebrant Jenny Funston made it clear Ms McGuire's life made a difference to many. 

'She passed away before her time, far too soon and far too young,' she told mourners. 

'Hannah mattered.'

Mourners heard how important Ms McGuire was to har family, with her mother Debbie describing her impact on all who knew her. 

'She touched our lives ... her memory is etched into our souls,' the heartbroken mum said. 

'Her presence made everything feel right.'

Ms McGuire's friend Nicole van Berkel told touching stories about her friend's upbringing. 

They told a story of kindness, determination and compassion for all in her company. 

But Ms McGuire had also been a fierce competitor. 

'She'd never back down,' her friend said. 

Like Ms Funston before her, Ms van Berkel made it clear her friend's life had made a difference. 

'She would want us to find joy even in this sorrow,' she said. 

'Always remember you mattered.'

Autumn leaves fell from the trees as mourners watched a picture montage of Ms McGuire's short life. 

It remains unknown how or why Young is alleged to have murdered his former partner. 

Sporting a mullet haircut, the 21-year old slumped in court as the grief-stricken mother of his alleged victim wept in her seat at the front of the courtroom after his arrest earlier this month. 

The court heard Young would be kept behind bars until his next court date in September. 

Ms McGuire had bought a house with her ex-boyfriend just short of a year before he is alleged to have murdered her.

Pictured smiling from ear-to-ear, the 23-year old posed next to a large 'sold' sign alongside her then-partner outside the home in Sebastopol, near Ballarat in regional Victoria.

The snapshot of happiness was taken almost a year to the day before Young appeared in court to face charges of murdering Ms McGuire.

Ms McGuire's body was found near State Forest Road, close to Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria, just before 1am on Friday.

Her death had initially been dismissed as a suicide after her body was found in a burnt out car.

But a coroner's report indicated she had allegedly sustained deadly injuries before the vehicle was engulfed in flames.

Ms McGuire had lived with Young up until a week before she was allegedly murdered. 

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