Public service planned for Irwin

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A public memorial service for naturalist Steve Irwin is to be held next week, his friends have announced.

A private funeral, attended by Mr Irwin's family and friends, took place on Saturday.

He was buried at Australia Zoo, the Queensland centre owned by his family and dedicated to Australian fauna.

The popular television personality, also known as the Crocodile Hunter, died last week when a stingray's barb struck him in the chest.

The 44-year-old was diving to film a documentary on Queensland's Great Barrier Reef.

His death has sparked mourning and tributes across Australia.

Donations have flooded into Mr Irwin's charity Wildlife Warriors, while flowers, cards and trademark khaki shirts have been left at Australia Zoo.

'Celebration'

His family and friends said they were planning a public service to celebrate his life.

Irwin was best-known for his work with crocodiles

"Because the family really appreciate the outpouring of love and kindness from everyone... we are planning to have a public memorial next Tuesday or Wednesday at somewhere like (Brisbane's) Suncorp Stadium," Mr Irwin's best friend, Wes Mannion, said.

Details of the service, which could attract thousands of mourners, are being finalised with Queensland police.

Mr Irwin's manager said the memorial service would be a celebration of his life.

"Steve would not have wanted us to have everyone around crying and saying how sad it was," John Stainton said.

Mr Irwin's father, meanwhile, said the funeral on Saturday had been a private event.

"Because Steve loved the bush so much and yarning around the campfire, the service was held just like he would have wanted, with everyone telling their favourite stories about him around a candlelit fire," he said.

"It was what he would have wanted and now puts some family closure to his life," he said.