Freeman, 56, has not been officially seen since August 26, when a deadly shooting ambush at his Porepunkah home in regional Victoria killed two police officers and wounded a third.

Police have alleged Freeman, who has links to the so-called “sovereign citizen” movement, carried out the attack and fled on foot, still heavily armed.

Locals now fear Freeman could have literally gone underground and be hiding in one of the many mineshafts that dot the country in the region.

Police have said Freeman is a skilled outdoorsman, but they also believe he could be receiving assistance from somebody in the community.

Former Victoria Police officer Alex Krstic, a friend of slain officer Neal Thompson, said this morning anybody who was harbouring or aiding Freeman was damaging the community.

“I’d be lying to say that I’m not upset about the death of these two members,” he said.

“But when you the circumstances of what happened pretty tragic that the whole thing is very tragic and it hurts the entire Victorian community.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan attended.

Police have said the funeral will not affect the search for Freeman, with 450 officers still involved in the manhunt.

Meanwhile, the no-fly zone over Porepunkah has been extended as the search stretches on.

The zone is within a radius of 10 nautical miles (about 18.5km) around Porepunkah Airport.

The ban covers all aircraft, including drones, and was initially established due to police suspicion that Freeman remains armed and poses a risk to aircraft.