Collingwood legend Lou Richards to be farewelled at state funeral
LOU Richards will be honoured with a State Funeral next Wednesday after his family accepted the state government’s offer of a public farewell for the Collingwood legend.
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LOU Richards will be honoured with a state funeral after his family today accepted the State Government’s offer of a public farewell for the Collingwood legend.
The funeral will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral next Wednesday at 11am.
The State Government confirmed details of the funeral to the Herald Sun this afternoon.
An overflow area for fans wanting to pay their respects is likely to be set up in nearby Federation Square.
The last footballer to receive a State Funeral was Melbourne Brownlow Medallist Jim Stynes.
Richards died on Monday at a Melbourne nursing home, aged 94, with his passing evoking countless tributes from those who knew him and those who felt as if they knew him across his more than 70 years in the public eye.
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The Magpie great, who played 250 games for Collingwood and captained its 1953 premiership side, will be farewelled with a state funeral in a similar manner to legendary Bulldogs champion and media personality Ted Whitten, who died in 1995.
Richards’ daughter, Nicole Morrison, spoke with family members after the State Government made the offer of a state funeral before agreeing to the move this afternoon.
Thousands of Collingwood fans are expected to fill the streets for the funeral service.
Melbourne legend Jim Stynes was the last AFL footballer granted a state-funded send off in 2012.
“I think dad would have really liked the idea,’’ Richards’ daughter Nicole Morrison said. “And though the family might be nervous in terms of pressure, we think this is something he deserves. And we think a lot of Victorians would like that.’’
The family will meet with protocol officials tomorrow. Grandson Neddy is also enroute back to Australia.
And in a poignant move, Richards’ daughters Nicole and Kim are considering resting the ashes of their late mother Edna with their father for his final internment.
“It’s something we are considering,’’ she said. “It would be nice for them to finally be back together.’’
Ms Morrison said the family had been overwhelmed by condolences and well wishers since Richards died peacefully yesterday at a nursing home at Windsor.
“It’s been very humbling,’’ she said. “Dad meant a lot to so many.’’
A government statement said: “Lou Richards was a legend of our game and an iconic figure for Victoria. The Government has offered a state funeral to Lou’s family.”
His family have asked people not to send flowers but to make a donation to the “Type 1 Foundation’’, a charity close to Lou’s heart as his grandson Jack is a type one diabetic.
www.mycause.com.au/charity/9066/type1foundation
Originally published as Collingwood legend Lou Richards to be farewelled at state funeral
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