Shane Warne’s family to have private service before state funeral

Shane Warne’s family will reportedly have a private funeral before the cricket icon is honoured with a public memorial service.

Shane Warne’s family will reportedly have a private funeral before the cricket icon is honoured with a public memorial service.

Warne’s family accepted an offer of a state funeral, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews tweeted on Sunday.

The event will give fans a chance to pay tribute to the former Australian leg-spinner, who died suddenly in a Thai villa last week.

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“I’ve spoken with the Warne family again today and they have accepted my offer of a State Funeral to remember Shane,” Mr Andrews wrote.

“It will be an opportunity for Victorians to pay tribute to his contribution to his sport, to our state and the country.

“Details will be finalised in coming days.”

The Warne family on Sunday released personal statements to express their grief and to honour the cricketer’s memory.

23-year-old son Jackson and his sisters Summer and Brooke have been left heartbroken by the sudden tragedy.

Warne’s ex-wife Simone Callahan, his brother Jason and his parents Keith and Bridget also released moving tributes to the 52-year-old.

Shane Warne and his son Jackson.

The Herald Sun reports that plans are being drawn up for the public memorial at the MCG, where Warne claimed an Ashes hat-trick and his 700th Test wicket.

The News Corp report confirmed that Warne’s family will have their own private ceremony before the state service, which is expected to be within two or three weeks.

Up to 100,000 people are expected to attend the public memorial.

What date is the funeral?

The family is flying Warne’s body back to Australia from Thailand and the funeral is expected to take place this week.

How to watch?

The event is expected to be broadcast live on free-to-air networks as special news bulletins.

Where will the funeral be held?

The Warne family has not made its plans public about how the funeral will be conducted. There is expected to be an announcement in the days following the private service that a public memorial will be held at the MCG.

Who will speak at the funeral?

According to The Age, Eddie McGuire has been mentioned as a potential master of ceremonies for the public memorial.

Melbourne is turning the MCG into a Shane Warne playground

People continue to place flowers and other items at the Shane Warne statue at the MCG. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty.

Shane Warne claimed 708 Test wickets. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

A VB beer can, a packet of cigarettes, a meat pie and many flowers were left in front of the Shane Warne statue at the MCG to honour the King of Spin.

Victorian Premier Andrews also revealed the Great Southern Stand would be renamed after Warne.

“I’ve just informed the Warne family that the government will rename the Great Southern Stand at the MCG — the place he took his hat trick and 700th wicket — to honour Shane and his contribution to the game,” Mr Andrews posted on social media.

“The S.K. Warne Stand will be a permanent tribute to an amazing Victorian.”