The widow and parents of Private Jake Kovco, the first Australian soldier killed in Iraq, have finally been given the chance to be reunited with his body.
Shelley, Martin and Judy Kovco formally identified private Kovco's body at Glebe morgue this morning following an official military greeting at Sydney Airport.
Supported by senior army officials, Shelley Kovco appeared grief stricken as she left the morgue carrying a bag of her husband's personal effects.
Another officer accompanying the soldier's parents carried his beret and the flag which had draped the coffin.
The death will now be the subject of an investigation by New South Wales Coroner John Abernethy with the autopsy expected to be conducted on Monday.
The funeral is expected to take place on Tuesday.