A Campfire Funeral/Memorial
I could feel the tears starting when I heard that the family had been able to hold a private service for Steve Irwin this past Saturday 9/10.

The way that his family and friends privately chose to remember their father, husband, son and friend who was so touching. They were creating such a beautiful and meaningful send off for the Crocodile Hunter. I was happy for the family that they were going to have the opportunity say goodbye the way they wanted to (before planning a large public event) which would help in the grieving process.

According to Steve's father, the funeral/memorial service was held around the campfire "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 [sic] stories around a "candlelit" fire. It was what he would have wanted."

Deciding on a memorial that was such an intimate ceremony in a setting fitting for someone who spent much of his life outdoors seemed to me to be the perfect way to honor his memory.

A Fitting Final Resting Spot
The choice of his final resting place was also inspired. After the campfire funeral/memorial Irwin's body was taken in a white van with a police escort to his beloved Australia Zoo where he was laid to rest.

The family had been given permission to bury Steve at the zoo. Plans are being considered to erect a monument for visitors to pay their tributes.

Although an extremely difficult time for friends and family, one can hope that when they look back at the choices made for his private funeral and burial, that they will realize what a wonderful tribute and fitting memorial they created for their loved one. I only hope that if I am faced with a similar task, that I would be able to come up with an equally fitting tribute for my loved one.

Love life, engage in it, give it all you've got.
Love it with a passion because life truly does give back,
many times over what you put into it.

Maya Angelou

Time to Celebrate Life
Irwin’s friend and manager John Stainton has indicated that has been to see great people were flocking to the zoo. "I’m glad that the zoo is coming back to life," he said. "Steve loved this zoo. It was built for people to enjoy. We want people to come back and celebrate his life."

According to Terri Irwin a much larger public memorial is still being planned at the Crocoseum, the 5,500 seat auditorium build by Steve Irwin. Although larger venues had been suggested, she thought her husband would have wanted the service at Australia Zoo.

Irwin's friends have said that the remembrance ceremony will be a "celebration" of the conservationist and personality's life, rather than a mourning service. According to Stainton "Steve would not have wanted us to have everyone around crying and saying how sad it was."

A Reminder to Celebrate Your Own Life
Each time there is a death of someone so young, I am once again reminded about just how fragile life is and how we have to be thankful for all of the special moments spent with loved ones. I think Steve Irwin would be the first to encourage us all to

Celebrate Life – because we don’t know how much time each of us has.

Steve's sudden death is a reminder that

Life is now... this day, this hour... and is probably the only experience of the kind one is to have.

_{Images: Campfire. Andy Heyward. Royalty Free Use.
Patty Beecham. Australia Zoo.}