Irwins decline offer on funeral

The Australian ^ | 7th September 2006 | Kevin Meade

[naturalman1975]

STEVE Irwin will be buried in private after his family declined offers of a state funeral, with his father Bob yesterday saying the international celebrity should be remembered as an ordinary bloke.

The laconic, slightly built retired reptile farmer was obviously grief-stricken but he faced the public because it was what his "mate" Steve would have wanted.

Similarly, he declined offers by Prime Minister John Howard and Queensland Premier Peter Beattie for a state funeral.

"He's just an ordinary bloke and he wanted to be remembered as an ordinary bloke," said the 66-year-old Mr Irwin, whose two-year-old grandson Bob was named after him.

[bonfire]

I thought his father was dead.

[greccogirl]

Well I guess that is understandable. I'm sure his many fans would have liked to pay their last respects though. This is so sad.

[Tax-chick]

We were just discussing this at supper. If this is what Steve's parents (and Terri, I assume) think is best, then it's the right way to go.

I'm so sad for all of them.

[Responsibility2nd]

I don't blame them. Steve was too modest a bloke for all that razzle-dazzle.

[SE Mom]

I think it was a lovely gesture on the part of the Australian government to offer- and can completely understand the family's choice as well.

[pcottraux]

His mother had died, but his father is still alive.

[lormand]

May God Bless Steve Irwin

[greccogirl]

I too think it was a lovely offer.

[HairOfTheDog]

I wonder if he'll be buried in the zoo. Seems appropriate to me :~).

[Ex-Dem]

I'm not too surprised. He seemed like a everyman type of guy who didn't put on any airs, and I would have had a hard time picturing a grand state funeral. The family seemed like pretty low-key people too, so of course their wishes should be honored.

[mom4kittys]

I hope so too. It doesn't sound like they have asked for the official paperwork to do that yet. Does anyone know where they buried Sui?

[HairOfTheDog]

There's special paperwork required down there?

Don't know where Sui is...

[digger48]

Probably got wind that Clinton wanted to show up and tell the world how he admired Steve, just like the poor black man that he and Hillary used to admire for his wrestling with racial equality while he made a living raising abandoned alligators

[mom4kittys]

It says in the article that the city council says thy have not received an application, so I am just assuming that there is paperwork for it.

[naturalman1975]

There's special paperwork required down there?

Yes, there is - you're not allowed to just bury someone anywhere you want. You need a permit.

In this case, I doubt there would be any problems getting one if they wanted one, but there is a process to go through. The Health Department needs to consider issues such as sanitation and drainage, and it would also require a zoning amendment by the local council.

[HairOfTheDog]

Ah - helps to read the article :~)

[RMDupree]

Sui's buried in their backyard at the zoo. She died back in June of 2004.

I don't know what the laws there are like, but I imagine it won't take much push to allow Steve to be buried there as well - with a separate area in the zoo set aside for the public to pay their respects.

[Rte66]

She's in "her backyard" - get some tissues:

http://www.crocodilehunter.com.au/australia_zoo/snapshots/sui/sui.htm

[HairOfTheDog]

It's actually not that strict everywhere, I'm sure it varies a lot. People bury animals that much larger than people without such permits, probably even at that zoo.

But I understand sensitivities may be higher with people. And it probably makes a difference whether it will be a full casket burial or an urn. There are typically no paperwork requirements to bury or spread the contents of an urn, at least in the states.

It's just interesting for people to know that regulations vary widely, we all may need to know these things someday.

As an aside, I know someone who buried their mother on their own property, in a place she loved. It's kindof an unfair request by someone who is dying, because it makes people rather duty bound to keep that property in perpetuity, when sometimes it really isn't what makes sense for the family down the road. And since that zoo has it's own duties for Steve's legacy, I don't think his burial there will really increase that burden... it's already on them.