As hundreds of mourners piled outside the church after Shawn Mackay's funeral yesterday and a 100m-long guard of honour stood and waited in silence, a call from the congregation came.

''Ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause for Shawn.'' And for the best part of a minute, the mourners' tears trickled on to meek grins as they clapped and reflected, all the while still weeping and remembering their mate.

It's just as Mackay would have wanted somehow, his friends and family finding a way to smile as his body was driven past them for the final time.

Brumbies forward Mackay, 26, was buried in Sydney yesterday, nine days after his death in a Durban hospital.

He died from injuries sustained when he was hit by a car in Durban on March 29.

About 1000 mourners gathered at Mary Immaculate Church in Waverley for the service.

Those close to the Mackay family filled the church.

Hundreds stood outside.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times