Siege victims' families face heartbreaking task of planning funerals before Christmas

As flowers pile up in tribute to the Sydney siege victims, their families now face the heart-breaking task of organising funerals before Christmas.

The bodies of talented lawyer Katrina Dawson and Lindt cafe manager Tori Johnson were released to their families on Thursday night.

Earlier in the week the NSW Coroner prioritised their post-mortem examinations.

An autopsy on gunman Man Haron Monis is expected to be finished by Friday.

Shortly before authorities released the bodies of the victims, Tori's father Ken praised the nation's spirit and tolerance during his second visit to the growing mass of flowers at the Martin Place memorial.

So many flowers have been left at three spots on Martin Place that the government has sought help from overseas about how to best retain the tributes.

NSW Premier Mike Baird said information is being sought from London and Boston "to ensure we are operating on prior international best practice".

The grass outside London's Kensington Palace was buried beneath flowers after Princess Diana's death in 1997.