They had set off together but the bodies were brought up from the wreckage one by one. First taken ashore was Michael Greene (54), the skipper of the Tullaghmurry Lass. Then they found young Michael, his eight-year-old grandson, and finally the boy's father, who was also called Michael (33).
The bodies were taken ashore at Warrenpoint harbour, a few miles down the coast from Kilkeel, where a local priest conducted a short service.
Three generations of the Greenes left Kilkeel harbour on St Valentine's Day to fish for prawns. The boat went missing in calm seas. There is speculation it was hit by a larger vessel, possibly a submarine. The wreck was discovered five weeks later, 140 feet under the sea, seven miles off Kilkeel.
Hazardous conditions meant it took another three weeks to bring back the bodies.
Mr Geoffrey Greene, who lost his father, brother and nephew, said the family were relieved that at last they could bury their loved ones. The two months since they disappeared had been hell, he said.
"It has been the worst nightmare you could possibly imagine. We haven't been able to grieve properly because we didn't have their bodies. All we wanted was to get them back on dry land and lay them to rest . . . Every time the phone rang, our hearts started pounding because we thought it was news. We never gave up hope of bringing the boys home."
The boat's stern gunnel and a section of the hull have been taken ashore for forensic examination.
Mr Greene said his family wouldn't concentrate on the causes of the accident until after the funerals. "We will start thinking about all that later. We will be very interested to find out what happened. These were very experienced people on board. We are determined to establish the truth."
The family wished to thank everyone involved in the search, he said. "People have been unbelievable. The divers risked everything for us."
Prayers were said for the Greenes at churches in the area yesterday. A memorial is to be built in Kilkeel harbour this summer to commemorate all local seafarers who have lost their lives.