More than 2,000 people attended the funeral of an elderly Irish nun who was killed in an attack at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Castries, capital of Santa Lucia on New Year's Eve.

Sr Theresa Egan, 73, was beaten to death after she tried to escape attackers who had burst in to the church, lashing out at worshippers with machetes and setting them on fire.

Another person died in hospital after the attack - at least 12 were injured.

The funeral Mass took place in the same Cathedral where Sr Theresa died. A burnt Bible still lies on the floor. At the front of the basilica, candles were arranged to spell out the words 'sister' and 'peace'.

Sr Theresa was then buried on a hillside overlooking the capital, Castries, where the attack occurred.

Two men have been formally charged with murder and attempted murder among other offences.

Sister Egan had lived in St Lucia for more than four decades, serving as a teacher and administrator at several Catholic schools.

"It was a martyr's death," said Sister Paula Andrews who lived in the same convent.