Not losing it at all. Prominent Australians are often granted a State Funeral. It's the Australian way.
If I had my druthers, which I don't, I'd love to see a very grand ceremony *because* of the contrast with his rough-and-ready life. 'E'd get a kick outta it, 'e would.
(That was my faux Cockney - picture Eliza Doolittle saying it to him, lol.)(Modern day *Dr.* Dolittle that he was!)
A private funeral for family and friends of this uncommon "common bloke," as his dad called him, is just right, so long as there is a public memorial later - and there is. So, all needs should be attended to.
OK, they have my unasked-for approval!
That's very reassuring to hear, A.D.
For years I have been hearing about "Tall Poppies Syndrome" and some very disparaging comments about just about every single Aussie celeb from the past 20 years.
Steve Irwin was more than just a good Aussie bloke, he touched millions of people worldwide, as evidenced by the outpouring of condolences on the Sydney Herald site, and on some other Australian papers' sites.