Memorial service for croc hunter Irwin

“Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin will be celebrated at a public memorial service next week at the Australian wildlife park his family owns, his wife announced today.

Fewer than 6,000 people will be able to attend in Beerwah, but negotiations were under way for a live television broadcast

Details of the service for the television personality have been highly anticipated since his death last Monday in a stingray attack on the Great Barrier Reef created an outpouring of grief in Australia, and among fans around the world.

Irwin’s family and closest friends held a private funeral on Saturday, telling stories around a camp fire in the grounds of Australia Zoo, the park in eastern Queensland state that was his base.

Irwin’s father, Bob, said the family had turned down the government’s offer of a state funeral for Irwin, saying he would not have wanted it.

But he said Irwin would’ve wanted a public service for his fans to celebrate his life.

Although larger venues for the public event had been suggested, Irwin’s wife, Terri, said he would have wanted the service held at the 5,500-seat auditorium - called the “Crocoseum” – at Australia Zoo.