Sir Ed.

I'd always thought that the death of Sir Edmund Hillary would be one of those things that you would always remember where you were when you heard... and so for me it was on the way back from school, sitting in the back of a van when I got a text message!
It's sad we won't be in New Zealand to watch the funeral live, but if you are in New Zealand then I think I have found a way for you to get in if you are interested!

stuff.co.nz quotes The Dominion Post as saying:
"The Anglican Dean of Auckland, the Very Rev Ross Bay, said he would be one of several clergy involved in the service.

"We're working really hard and closely with the family to ensure the service is a fitting tribute to Sir Edmund and also allows the family to grieve as a family."

Because it was a state funeral there would be several protocols to adhere to, but "in other respects it's a funeral service in the normal way".

Mr Bay spent hours with Lady Hillary and family members during the weekend and said the family "wanted the wider New Zealand community to have the opportunity to play a part of his farewell".

The intense public interest and huge numbers expected at the funeral were just a few of the issues to be worked through, he said.

His family had requested the service be held in the historic church, which holds up to 600 people. "The cathedral is a modern building, so architecturally, I think their request was for St Mary's."

Details, including which guests will be seated inside St Mary's, are yet to be worked out, but mourners in the neighbouring cathedral will be able to watch the service on a live screen.

Though Sir Ed did not attend St Mary's, the church was a gathering place for the Auckland community, and it was honoured to host the service, Mr Bay said.

Sir Ed was probably the greatest New Zealander the country could lay claim to: "It's a huge honour to be part of that in such a big way."

Feel free to give him a call if you want to attend. He might even be looking for people to give eulogies if you're interested?