A ”private family gathering” is being held today for Gord Downie, but one of his brothers says the family’s hoping to organize a public memorial for the Tragically Hip frontman who died of brain cancer Tuesday night at age 53.

Mike Downie says such a service would have to be ”somethng that Gord would like and appreciate, so we’ll just have to figure that out.”

He adds the public’s reaction to Gord’s passing has been ”unbelievable.”

(Chris Young / Canadian Press)

”I was going to say (the reaction) helps with the sadness because it’s so uplifting but it actually makes you a little sadder too because you realize there’s a lot of people who are really hurting.”

Downie’s brother adds it makes him feel like he’s part of something.

”I’m in good company.”