by CNN
Published: Tue, February 10, 2009 - 10:12 am CST
Last Updated: Tue, February 10, 2009 - 10:24 am CST
ORLANDO, FLorida (CNN) -- More than 1,000 mourners from Florida and beyond gathered at an Orlando church Tuesday for what a pastor called a celebration of the short life of slain toddler Caylee Marie Anthony."There are days when you just don't know what to say," said the Rev. David Uth, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Orlando. "This is one of those days."
Caylee was 2 when she was last seen in June. Her remains were found in December in a wooded area about a half mile from the home of her grandparents, George and Cindy Anthony.
The girl's mother, Casey Anthony, 22, is charged with first-degree murder in her death. Jail officials said Casey Anthony had not asked to watch the televised memorial service.
She said through her lawyer on Monday that she was opposed to the service being open to the public.
A picture of the smiling mother and daughter was among those at the front of the church, placed next to a candle lit by Caylee's grandparents during the service.
"Though there are a lot of questions around these days, and you might have come into this room or you might have tuned in to see, 'I wonder what they're going to say.' We're going to tell you what we know," Uth said. "And there's a lot more that we know than that we don't know. We know our God loves us."
During a prayer, Uth mentioned Casey Anthony, asking God to be with her. "I pray that you will comfort her and that, Lord, you will speak peace into her life. You will give her a picture of you that, Lord, is one she'll never forget."
First Baptist Church holds 5,000 people. Church officials said between 1,200 and 1,500 are believed to be attending the memorial.
No request had been made by Anthony to watch her daughter's memorial service as of Tuesday morning, Orange County Corrections Department spokesman Allen Moore said in a written statement Tuesday.
"The television will not be on in the housing area where Casey Anthony is located," he added.
Her attorney, Jose Baez, is with her at the jail.
The memorial service program includes a medley of the slain 2-year-old's favorite songs, followed by a candle lighting.
Mourners were required to pass through metal detectors and not permitted to carry bags into the church.
"We feel like we know this little girl. We need this day for closure," said Sandra Mckeller, who drove six hours from Georgia to attend Tuesday's service.
"Today is about Caylee," she added.
A large makeshift memorial, with teddy bears, candles and balloons, continues to draw the curious to the site where a meter reader found the child's remains.
Caylee's body was found in a laundry bag wrapped in a plastic trash bag, and her skull was wrapped in duct tape, according to police documents.
Caylee Anthony Doll
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