Family pulls Graham Richardson's funeral from cathedral days before service

Graham Richardson's state funeral has been changed from St Mary's Cathedral to an Anglican Church after his widow clashed with Catholic officials over restrictions on the service.

Graham Richardson with wife Amanda and son D'Arcy. Pic: Instagram

The state funeral for Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson has been moved, just three days before it is set to occur, after a breakdown in the relationship between his grieving widow and the Catholic Church.

The service is expected to be attended by as many as 400 people including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, former Prime Minister Tony Abbot, former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Tanya Plibersek, John Coates and Mark Arbib.

The funeral was originally set to be held at St Mary’s Cathedral on Tuesday, but Richardson’s widow, Amanda, said the church made it impossible for them to hold a service that would reflect her husband’s life.

The current prime minister and former prime ministers are expected to attend Richardson’s funeral. Picture: Supplied.

Mrs Richardson said the initial meeting after the Prime Minister offered a State Funeral with the church and the government’s protocol office had been positive when she outlaid her hopes for the choir and musicians from Cranbrook School, where their son Darcy just completed his HSC, to perform as well as eulogies from seven people throughout Mr Richardson’s life.

She also wanted a video montage played during the funeral with photos from his life and a message from Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.

“A week later I got a call from the protocol office telling me the church wouldn’t let the children sing and that they have their own choir we have to use,” Mrs Richardson said.

“Graham loved the choir, it’s just the boy’s vocals but they weren’t going to allow that.”

She was also told the musicians from the school would not be able to perform and the photo montage would have to be played as people were arriving.

Particularly vexing for Mrs Richardson was the news that she would not be able to have an Australian flag on her husband’s coffin or the flag of his beloved St George Dragons.

On Friday Mrs Richardson said her and D’Arcy made the decision to move the funeral elsewhere, and it will now be held at St James Anglican Church on King Street.

A spokeswoman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said the church respected the family’s decision to hold the funeral elsewhere.

St Mary’s Cathedral will no longer hold Graham Richardson’s funeral. AAP Image/Mick Tsika

“The Archdiocese of Sydney did our utmost to pastorally support the Richardson family, and accommodated many of their requests for the funeral of Graham Richardson. However, some requests were not compatible within a Catholic funeral rite which is primarily a moment of prayer, and we respect the family’s request to relocate the funeral,” the spokeswoman said.

“We will continue to offer prayers for the repose of Graham’s soul and for comfort and consolation for those who are grieving at this time.”

Mr Richardson was raised Catholic but had lapsed later in his life and the family had been attending Anglican services throughout D’Arcy’s schooling.

“Graham was raised Catholic but hated the Catholic church and when this all happened D’Arcy said to me ‘Mum I think this is dad saying there is no way you are dragging me through that church’,” Mrs Richardson said.

She said the welcoming experience she received from the Anglican rector at St James’ was the complete opposite to her experience at St Mary’s.

“When he called he said ‘Amanda what do you need us to do for Graham’s funeral?’”

The funeral will be held at 11am on Tuesday, with all of Mrs Richardson’s eulogists speaking. Guests are asked to arrive at 9.30 and be seated by 10.30.

Originally published as Family pulls Graham Richardson's funeral from cathedral days before service