Quick straw popll of my office -
Question " Would you support a state funeral for Henry Allingham?"
Result - out of 13 polled. 13 said "Who?"
I'm sure that most of you don't understand the pain and grief involved in a state funeral. If your Grandfather died would you really want to parade his coffin through the streets of London with horses drawing the gun carriage bolted, and ratings from the Royal Navy hauling the carriage to the Royal Chapel?
Televised live with press hounding your doorstep. Magazine articles, newspaper articles. Radio, TV all baying at your door for a snippet of gossip.
Or would you go for the quiet, family affair. Just a few close friends and relatives who would give the old chap a respectful and dignified send off.