Friends and family who gathered for the funeral of Nova Scotia teen Rehtaeh Parsons remembered the young woman’s kind heart Saturday in a service that also drew attention to the wider issues of bullying and sexual violence.

Parsons, 17, hanged herself after enduring what her family says was months of bullying after allegedly being raped and photographed by four boys in 2011. She died in hospital last weekend after being taken off life support.

Since then, her story has gained international attention, placing the spotlight on larger problems affecting youth.

Church bells could be heard echoing through the busy street near Saint Mark's Anglican Church in Halifax, where more than 100 friends, family and politicians attended the service.

Some could be seen hugging and crying in the rain.

In his eulogy, Rev. John Morrell urged attendees to remember Parson for her loving nature, but he also addressed the worldwide attention on bullying, and commented on how social media contributed to the teenager’s untimely death.

"It is a time of celebration and thanksgiving of her short life amongst us," said Morrell in the eulogy. "However, given the worldwide attention to the events leading up to this tragedy, it is appropriate to focus on what happened tomorrow, and the day after, and weeks and years to come.

"How can our society provide a safe haven for young girls? Why do young men feel that young girls are but objects for their sexual fantasies and pleasure? Why do teenagers avoid seeking help when they are depressed and suicidal?"

Morell also urged attendees to remember Parsons' caring nature.

"Rehtaeh was a lovely young woman on the threshold of adulthood and maturity," Morrell said. “The most important part of our service this morning is to remember Rehtaeh in her early life, to celebrate the love and service she showed to others…."

Angela Parsons, Rehtaeh’s cousin, said the family is “eternally grateful” for the community support they’ve received since the young woman’s death.

“The family has been recipients of random acts of kindness from people who we don’t even know,” she said.

The service comes a day after the RCMP announced it was reopening the investigation into Parsons’ death based on new information. Police said the information did not come from the hacker group Anonymous.

On Friday, the group posted what it said was a list of "facts" connected to the case. Anonymous sent the information, including a screen grab of someone allegedly confessing to sexually assaulting Parsons, to the RCMP.

It is not known whether the screen grab is genuine.

RCMP Commission Bob Paulson said they are open to working with Anonymous but expressed doubt that would happen as the groups’ members would have to reveal their identities.

Paulson also warned against "vigilante justice" as anger about the case swells.

Parsons' story has triggered outrage in the small Halifax suburb where the teen lived, sparking a national conversation about online bullying and the challenges of living in a digital age.

Parsons' family went public with her suicide last Monday, saying she was the victim of months of bullying that started after she was allegedly assaulted at age 15.

Photos of the assault were allegedly distributed online, and she was taunted because of it, her mother said.

Nova Scotia Premier Darell Dexter said he attended Parsons’ service as a father. He commended the community for supporting Rehtaeh’s family.

"I am thankful that they have not taken into their own hands what properly belongs in the hands in the justice system," Dexter said. "Violence is not the answer."