Tournament organisers and New Zealand Golf were reluctant to talk about the subject yesterday but a press release issued today confirmed the former teammates and friends would miss the funeral.
The Weekend Herald understands organisers gave the cricketing legends an option to withdraw from the tournament if they wanted to attend the funeral but all remained committed to playing in Queenstown.
"Tournament organisers are currently working on plans whereby all seven will be able to pay their respects in public, and honour Martin in a befitting manner," the statement said. "These plans are expected to be finalised early next week, when details will be announced."
It's understood former All Blacks superboot and one of Crowe's best friends since schoolboy days, Grant Fox, will attend as his only commitment to the Queenstown golf event is on Monday week - three days after the funeral.
Fox and his son, leading professional Ryan Fox, are involved in the promotion of the tournament, including a public competition which allows winners to play a round of golf with the pair.
Prime Minister John Key will be absent but Dr Jonathan Coleman's office confirmed he'd attend in his capacity as Minister for Sport and Recreation.
Crowe's funeral is to be held at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell on Friday at 1pm.
Dean of the Cathedral the Very Rev Jo Kelly-Moore said the funeral would be a time to give thanks for Crowe's life.
There are plans for live video feeds of the service to be available. The Black Caps, including Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill who have both been mentored by Crowe, left for India and the World T20 Cup on Thursday and will be unable to attend.
New Zealand Cricket will be represented by its president, and Crowe's former New Zealand teammate Stephen Boock, chief executive David White, another ex-team mate, and several members of the board.
Tributes have continued to flow since the news of Crowe's death on Thursday at the age of 53.
In a piece written for the Guardian his close friend, former English international Mike Selvey, said Crowe had been using liquid marijuana in his final months. He said his friend had chosen to forgo more chemotherapy in favour of cannabis oil.
"The apparently hale nature of his condition was a camouflage. When he was awake, he said, he did indeed feel good, but rather than undergoing yet more chemotherapy he was by then self-medicating with liquid marijuana and sleeping 15 hours a day. Happy hours, though, he said."
