Mr Rattle, who designed the homes of many high-profile Melbourne families, was found dead in his burnt-out South Yarra home on December 9. Police charged his partner Michael O'Neill with his murder, alleging that he killed him days earlier.

The Friends of Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens announced on their website that Mr Rattle would be celebrated at a service at St Peter's Catholic Church in Daylesford at 1pm on Sunday.

Last month, Mr Rattle held an open day at his farm at Musk for The Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens in Daylesford which raised tens of thousands of dollars to secure the future of the gardens.

His generosity reflected the importance he placed on his community, they said.

"Not only did he invite thousands of enthusiastic fellow gardeners to visit Musk Farm, he physically wore himself out in ensuring that the place was absolutely perfect in its presentation.

"Needless to say, his broad, welcoming smile is an enduring memory for so many of us," the group said. "The horror of his death cannot erase the legacy of good fellowship that he built up over 13 years at Musk."

The group invited all of Mr Rattle's friends to attend and bring a photo of Stuart in a silver frame.

Mr Rattle's family will also hold a private funeral for him in Melbourne on Friday.

Full story at theage.com.au