Barry Humphries’ state funeral to be held in Sydney not Melbourne

The Andrews government offered to host Barry Humphries’ state funeral but the comedy legend’s relatives have opted to have the official farewell in Sydney.

Legendary comedian Barry Humphries’ state funeral will be held in Sydney, after his family “declined” an offer for a service in Melbourne.

Humphries died aged 89 last month after complications from hip surgery stemming from a fall earlier this year.

But despite Humphries being born and raised in Melbourne’s leafy east and his most famous character, Dame Edna Everage, putting Moonee Ponds on the world map, his official farewell will be in NSW.

The Herald Sun can reveal that while the Andrews government offered to host the state funeral, the family declined, choosing instead to accept the offer in Sydney.

Humphries family chose Sydney for a state funeral. Picture: SBS

Premier Daniel Andrews said was unclear whether Victorians would stump up cash for Barry Humphries funeral.

The Premier on Tuesday said the final decision was at the request of the late star’s family.

“We made an offer, we made it in good faith,” he said.

“We offered to the family to have it in Melbourne and the family decided to have it in Sydney

“That’s ultimately their call. Now if not everyone in the family necessarily agrees with that, there could be multiple opinions within that family, but that’s a matter for them and we should respect their privacy.

“He is a national figure, so they’ve made a difficult choice. It’s going to Sydney. I’m not sure what role we will play.”

Mr Andrews said he wasn’t aware of why the family decided to settle on a Sydney service.

It’s also not yet known whether Victorian taxpayers would make a contribution to the service.

“It seems that the Prime Minister has made some announcements about a joint effort. I’m not sure what that would involve,” Mr Andrews said.

“I don’t know whether there’s any proposal, so lest you do a story inviting it then we will just wait and see what they want to do.

“I’m not sure what, if any, arrangements have been made.”

Barry Humphries as his most famous character Dame Edna Everage. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The Herald Sun previously reported government sources said that if there were divergent views among the family, that was a matter for them and their privacy should be respected.

Shortly after he died, Creative Industries Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the Victorian government was “in conversation with his family in relation to the best way to honour his legacy and his contribution to Victoria”and “there’ll be more information to come at an appropriate time”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week told TV host Piers Morgan in Britain that a state funeral for the “quintessential Australian character” would be co-hosted by the Victorian and NSW governments, along with the Commonwealth.

But he did not say what form a combined service would take.

There was talk of the state funeral being co-hosted by the Victorian and NSW governments, along with the Commonwealth. Picture Rohan Kelly

Humphries had brought an “enormous amount of pleasure” to generations of Australians”, he said.

After Mr Albanese made the announcement, Premier Daniel Andrews said he was not aware a three-government tribute was in train for the entertainer.

“I can’t confirm for you where the service will be, or where the funeral will be,” he said on Wednesday.

The Humphries family was said to be unimpressed by the manner of the Andrews government’s initial approach, said to be made late on a Sunday evening.