Sir Edmund's widow 'blown away' by response to funeral

Lady June (C), Helen Clark and family members follow Sir Edmund's casket after the funeral. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Sir Edmund Hillary's widow Lady June was "blown away" by the public response to his state funeral today, Prime Minister Helen Clark has said.

Miss Clark said she had been with the Hillary family when they went to the ceremony at St Mary's Church in Parnell and later the private cremation and service at Purewa.

"I travelled with Lady Hillary all the way to Purewa, the last resting place for Sir Ed, and she was just blown away by the public outpouring of affection," Helen Clark told Radio New Zealand.

"She was very touched by the respect and love that poured out from everybody."

"I think everyone was feeling this was going to be a momentous day for all of them."

The official ceremony at St Mary's was notable for its emphasis on Sir Edmund as friend, father and "ordinary New Zealander", rather than as a national icon.

Tributes by Sir Edmund's children Sarah and Peter Hillary recalled family holidays and the mountaineer's "dry wit" while close friend Jim Wilson touched on his singing "ability".

Norbu Tenzing Norgay - son of Tenzing Norgay who climbed Everest with Sir Edmund - said: "When Sherpas heard of [Sir Edmund's] death their grief spiralled to a level only matched by the loss of a parent."

Chief administrative officer of the Himalayan Trust Ang Rita Sherpa described Sir Edmund as "our second father".

"His loss to us is bigger and heavier than Mt Everest," he said.

As the funeral was broadcast to thousands watching public screens throughout the country, Prime Minister Helen Clark thanked the Hillary family for "their willingness to share this last farewell with us all".

At the Auckland Domain, many in the 3000-strong crowd cried openly when Sir Edmund's grandson Sam Mulgrew's voice cracked at the end of his eulogy.

There were tears and laughter as some of the speakers told lighter stories of life with Sir Edmund.

In her eulogy, Sarah Hillary spoke of how as a 10-year-old she went with the family to Nepal.

She said she was struck by the "strangeness of it all" but the friendship the Nepalese people had for Sir Edmund was extended to the family as well.