The family of an indigenous Kempsey man who died in Sydney's Long Bay prison last month has disputed suggestions his death wasn't suspicious.
David Dungay, 26, died in custody on December 29 and was farewelled in a ceremony in South Kempsey on Tuesday morning.
His coffin was decorated in a dot painting and mourners carried black, yellow and red flowers.
NSW Corrective Services said last month Mr Dungay was receiving treatment for a medical condition when he died and did not consider the death suspicious.
Mr Dungay's family dispute this series of events and say it is "misleading" and "cynical" to suggest his condition, namely diabetes, contributed to his death.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
They said Mr Dungay died in circumstances where he was under the control of Corrective Services officers and have requested a meeting with the Corrective Services commissioner to clear the air.
"The family say it's a matter for the coroner to investigate the cause of death," said Dungay family lawyer George Newhouse.
"It's not for the Department of Corrective Services to make pronouncements."
Mr Newhouse said Mr Dungay's family were deeply hurt by the Corrective Services' statement and feared his death was "being swept under the carpet".
He said the department should wait for the coroner's report before making such claims.
"The family are asking for an investigation to get to the truth of the matter and to hold anyone responsible for their son's death accountable," Mr Newhouse said.
"The family are awaiting the coroner's report, but they are insulted by the department's attempts to gloss over the circumstances of their son's death before it is handed down."
Mr Dungay would have been eligible for parole just weeks after his death, according to Mr Newhouse.
In response, a NSW Corrective Services spokesman said Mr Dungay's death remains unsuspicious.
