Barry Humphries farewelled at small, private funeral at Bowral estate owned by artist Tim Storrier

Barry Humphries has been said goodbye at a private funeral by family and close friends who made last-minute arrangements to attend after being advised just 24 hours in advance.

The discreet ceremony took place Friday at the Bowral estate of longtime friend and artist Tim Storrier in NSW’s Southern Highlands.

The beloved Australian actor and comedian, known worldwide for his iconic character Dame Edna Everage, passed away last Saturday at the age of 89.

The private funeral took place at the Bowral estate of longtime friend and artist Tim Storrier on (Mr Storier pictured with his portrait of Sir Les Patterson, a character created by Australian comedian Barry Humphries)

Mr Humphries’ wife, Lizzie Spender, is leaving for London on Saturday and guests were only told on Thursday evening that the legendary actor’s funeral would take place on Friday. The Australian reported.

“It was a small affair, just family and close friends,” said film director Bruce Beresford.

Also at the ceremony were Humphries’ two sons, Oscar and Rupert, who had come over from London, as well as his daughters Emily and Tessa, brother Christopher and sister Barbara.

Mr Beresford said no speeches were made, but excerpts were read from some of Mr Humphries’ favorite poems, including three verses from his favorite poem, The Heart of a Friend by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

“It was very moving, very warm. Everyone was related or a close friend of Barry’s,’ Mr Beresford said.

Mr. Humphries was an art lover, an avid collector of contemporary art and an amateur painter himself.

His passion for art was shared with Mr. Storier, one of his best friends, who painted a 10-foot portrait of Mr. Humphries dressed as his alter ego, Sir Les Patterson, which won the Packing Room Prize among the 2014 Archibald Prize entries .

The beloved Australian actor and comedian, known for his iconic character Dame Edna Everage (pictured), passed away last Saturday at the age of 89.

After the actor’s death, Storrier wrote, “It seems like a greater loss when someone who made us all laugh dies.

“As we all know when the jester dies, the king complains. Pale old man.’

Mr Humphries returned to Sydney for Christmas in December. However, he subsequently fell, leading to his hip replacement surgery.

“He was completely himself until the end and never lost his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity,” his family said in a statement.

His family was previously in talks with the Victorian government about a possible state funeral for the star. It is unclear whether that will continue.

Creative Industry Minister Steve Dimopoulos revealed earlier this week that talks were underway with the entertainer’s loved ones about the best ways to honor his legacy.

“The main driver of these things is the family, because it is their gift to decide effectively in dialogue with the government,” Dimopoulos said on Sunday.

So yeah, that could be it [a state funeral]. It could be much more.’

Prime Minister Daniel Andrews said Humphries would live on through his iconic writing and larger-than-life characters, most notably Dame Edna Everage who put the Melbourne suburb of Moonee Ponds on the map.

‘But in the end he was a boy from Kew with big dreams. And he reached them,” he posted on Twitter.

NSW counterpart Chris Minns said Humphries has popularized Australian larrikinism on the world stage, but he doesn’t want to “front-line” potential gestures or ceremonies in Sydney.

‘[He was] an Australian legend and someone we would like to honor,” he said.