Friends and family of Wiradjuri Elder, land rights hero, Tent Embassy figure and Aboriginal Legal Service founder, the late Paul Coe, honoured his legacy and memory at his funeral on Thursday.

Mr Coe died aged 76 on July 29.

More than a dozen loved ones spoke at his funeral across a two-hour service.

The legacy and memories were told of a "true Wiradjuri warrior", "giant" amongst Aboriginal heroes, and "fierce", "proud" and "strong" father, uncle, grandfather and friend.

Delivering the eulogy, Paul Coe Jr spoke of his father's early years, born in a period of discriminatory policies, journeys across stock routes in Eastern Australia "away from an oversight of mission management and the various churches who sought to indoctrinate Wiradjuri" and deepening of his understanding of country, culture and lore.

Mr Coe was born in 1949 at Erambie Mission in Cowra to his parents, staunch Aboriginal rights and land rights activists Les and Agnes.

His funeral was held on Country at the site of the mission.

He was the first Aboriginal scholar at Cowra High School to not only pass the Higher School Certificate, but also be elected a prefect, and later, one of the first Aboriginal Barristers in Australia's history after being the first Indigenous person to study law at UNSW.

While at high school, Mr Coe joined the Cadets - later leaving after seeing his uncles denied entry to an RSL club.

Paul Jr also spoke of his father's beginnings in the fight for Aboriginal rights in a time when "Aboriginal population were voiceless", like his father, and subjected to beatings, and involvement in the Black Power movement.

The impact and legacy he had on the Redfern community after relocating to Sydney was remembered.

Mr Coe's legal action lodged against the Commonwealth for the dispossesion of land from Wiradjuri and establishment of the Aboriginal legal service was also spoken of.

While the case was dismissed, it laid the foundation for the successful 1992 Mabo judgement that recognised and overturned the terra nullius status.

"We remember Paul as fearless in the face of a system that had taken so much from those he held dear in the fight for Aboriginal self determination and sovereignty," Paul Jr said.

"He was unwavering, a true Wiradjuri warrior. He challenged systemic racism head on."

Mr Coe was also remembered as a talented sportsperson, inspiration and loving man.

"He was fierce and he was proud and he was strong, but more than that, he was warm and he was loving. He was kind and he was generous," Liam Coe, his son said.

Aunty Jenny Munro, who said she doesn't use notes - something she took from Mr Coe, said he was "a giant among the heroes".

Author and academic Irene Watson detailed her work with Mr Coe.

"He was all the things that I loved in all of my old people," Professor Watson said.

She added Mr Coes legal work against the colonial claims terra nullius, is a "task many of us continue with to this day, and it is one of his greatest legacies".

Mr Coe's granddaughter said "you have changed the trajectory for our people forever".

A procession of those who attended the service chanted for land rights following speakers.

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