Crocodile Hunter To Have Private Funeral, Documentary To Be Completed By Cousteau, and More

The Irwin family has declined the Australian government's offer of a state funeral for Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. Bob Irwin, Steve's father, had said his son was an "ordinary bloke" who would have preferred a private ceremony for family and friends. The funeral will take place in an undisclosed location, likely within a week.

A public memorial for fans, however, will occur. "Because of the tremendous public sympathy and support, we have decided to hold a full memorial service within the next two weeks at a suitable venue."

Terri Irwin is concerned about her children and knows it's a difficult road for a single parent. Her mother, Judy Raines, believes she'll do just fine, though.

While Irwin's son Robert, who is a few months shy of turning three, is still confused about his missing father, Bindi, eight years old, has been her mum's rock. Bindi and Steve were said to have been two peas in a pod, with the young girl realizing her father was, indeed, a special man.

When Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray barb to the chest on Monday, he'd been out capturing footage for a documentary on "The Ocean's Deadliest" with Philippe Cousteau, grandson of the legendary Jacques Cousteau. Cousteau has pledged he would see the project through to completion. For Cousteau, the accident has haunted him as it has been a stark reminder of his own father's death in a sea plane accident in 1979. "The circumstances around Steve's death being such an accident, also my father's death was an accident, and he left two children, a son and a daughter and a widow. ...The situation is so similar it's been difficult, I have to tell you."

Donations have been pouring in to the Wildlife Warriors fund in Irwin's honor, but Zoo spokesman Michael Hornby said, "We want to remind people that there is only one website to go to and that is Wildlife Warriors and it is totally secure."

Animal Planet will host a tribute to the man who put them on the map this coming Sunday, September 10. The channel will offer an all-day marathon of The Crocodile Hunter shows and other footage of Irwin. Steve Irwin logged over 200 appearances for the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet's parent company. It's advised to check local listings for start times of the marathon.

While many fans flock to Irwin's Australia Zoo to pay tribute, others honor their hero with online remembrances, local radio stations in Australia "are contemplating a Steve Irwin charity day where people will be encouraged to wear khaki to work and donate money to his wildlife organisations", schools have offered opportunities for children to gather and remember a conservation hero, and the Brisbane Broncos—an Aussie Football league team—"is expected to pay tribute to him this weekend."

Article Author: Joan Hunt

Former Baywatch babe, Playboy centerfold, and stunt double for Abe Vigoda, Managing Editor of Blogcritics and member of the board of directors for BLUSD, Joanie juggles her love of words, music, photography, wildlife, and television with her greatest love -- her kids. …

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