State Funeral for Barry Humphries

The family of the late Barry Humphries has accepted the offer of a State Funeral, to be held in Sydney.

Last week PM Anthony Albanese told UK host Piers Morgan that Humphries would receive a joint state funeral involving New South Wales, Victoria and the Commonwealth.

The final decision lay with Humphries’ family, who ultimately decided to decline a state service in Melbourne and instead accept an offer in Sydney.

“We reached out to Barry’s family to discuss the best way to honour the life of this extraordinary Victorian, but the family declined a state service – choosing instead to accept an offer in Sydney,” a Victorian Government Spokesperson said.

Through Dame Edna Everage, fictionally hailing from Moonee Ponds, Humphries has been synonymous with Melbourne but also often worked in Sydney and spent the final years of his life residing there.

A date and location has not yet been finalised, but is expected to be held in a theatre.

A private funeral was hosted by his friend, artist Tim Storrier, at his Bowral estate in the NSW Southern Highlands in late April.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald