The estranged couple, who regularly holiday together in Europe with their three young children, led a large congregation of family and friends who attended the funeral service for the prominent solicitor at Gunnedah's Anglican Christ Church on Monday.

Erica Packer's sister Joanna, her brother William and Mr Baxter's partner Anna were comforted by locals. Mr Packer's mother Ros, close friend Sarah Murdoch and chef Guillaume Brahimiwere also in attendance.

Mr Packer was a pallbearer for the late Mr Baxter who died last week after suffering from amyloidosis, a rare chronic auto-immune disease. He also comforted his visibly upset ex-wife as the procession moved to the Memorial Park Lawn Cemetery.

"The name of Baxter is synonymous with a number of things in our community," Gunnedah mayor Owen Hasler said.

"Michael was very involved in sport, cricket and tennis in particular, and was a very positive contributor to our community, supporting many community events.

"He is not only known for his progeny," he added, referring to Erica.

He was 72.

Mr Baxter's death follows that of his wife Sheelah, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2011.

Mrs Baxter died unexpectedly on a family holiday to Fiji with the Packers while being nursed by Erica and her brother-in-law who is a doctor.

Erica gave birth to her youngest child, Emmanuelle, shortly before the couple's marriage disintegrated in 2013 after six years.

"Not a day goes by when I don't miss Mum and wish she was here. My mother and I were always close. She was a nurse and a midwife and so amazing with the babies. I think losing my mum has been one of the saddest and hardest things for me. She was always there, and being a mum now I appreciate even more so what an incredible mother she was. And going through all of this recently without her has been really hard," she told Vogue Australia following her divorce in 2013.

While Mrs Baxter was ill, older sister Joanna, who is a mother of four, was also diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy.