 In 1989 he was appointed a Knight of Grace of the Order of St John, and on Australia Day 1991 was awarded Australia's highest civil honour when he was invested as a Companion of the Order of Australia for public service and service to the law.After he retired he was appointed as a Ministerial Adviser to the Council on Veterans Issues, a position he held from 1993 - 1994.Muirhead died on 20 July 1999 while visiting family in Darwin.