patatrat:

markh14: what amazes me is what the funeral director guy said

"Legally you can't stop a person coming to a service,"

He owns a funeral home but he can't stop the guy tresspassing. what

Funerals are public events and advertised as such in the paper. 

markh14: Right so if a family had a funeral for their loved one in their private house would that be a public event where anyone would be allowed to attend? Aren't state funerals only public events?

bazzer:
If you were having a funeral at your private house, would you advertise it publicly? As the guy said "If it's advertised, it's a public service."

nickd: Probably, otherwise people who knew them but weren't in direct contact might miss out on the chance to be notified.
What happens when someone puts 'The family of [Name] wish to invite family and friends to [the funeral/rest of notice]'.
It is advertised publicly, so anyone can go, but the notice said family and friends. If you are not family nor a friend, are you still welcome because it was advertised in the paper?