CONFIRMATION that human remains found in Sunshine Coast bushland belonged to his son was like "waiting for a sledgehammer to hit you", says Bruce Morcombe says.

Three bones found in boggy bushland at Beerwah have been confirmed as belonging to Daniel Morcombe, who was 13 when he went missing in 2003.

In a press conference held today, Daniel's father, Bruce, said: "The reality has set in that Daniel is not missing - he was murdered.

"It's a monumental step in the investigation process. We're quite traumatised but hoping it's the first step in the healing process and we can move forward and recover.

"We are entering the very final chapter. We will bring Daniel home - it will take a little while."

Mr Morcombe said he was hesitant to describe the family's feeling as "closure", saying it was more like relief.

"We wrestle with finding the appropriate word and closure is one that me and Denise and the family have never been enormously comfortable with," he said.

Daniel can now be buried with dignity after Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson phoned Bruce Morcombe with the news the family had both wanted and dreaded just after 8am (AEST).

Seven years and nine months after Daniel vanished while waiting for a bus at Woombye on December 7, 2003, it was official: the 13-year-old schoolboy was dead.

The family's long-time lawyer and friend Peter Boyce said the Morcombes had gathered, as they had done so many times before, to comfort each other.

Mr Boyce said he had spoken to Bruce, who was "very low" after receiving the call from Mr Atkinson, who revealed DNA tests on three bones uncovered at the scene last Sunday had been matched to Daniel.

"It was the call they had expected, but that did not make it any less difficult," he said.

"From an investigation point of view, it's something that had to happen ... an achievement. From a personal viewpoint, it brought the stark reality that their son has been lying there (in Glass House Mountains bushland) for a very long time."

The Morcombes were extremely resilient and would "get back up again", Mr Boyce said.

"We're really proud, Denise and myself, that we're a tight-knit family. We'll just make sure we recover from this and move on," Mr Morcombe told the press today.

They would now be able to focus on plans for Daniel's funeral and keep busy with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.

Mrs Morcombe told press "I think we'll just have the one (memorial) but we haven't decided yet."

She said it was difficult to pass on the news to her other sons, Daniel's twin brother Bradley, 21, and Dean, 23.

"Just watching the boys' faces was heartbreaking really," Mrs Morcombe said.

They just stood there and just stared."

Mr and Mrs Morcombe told The Courier-Mail on Thursday that the anniversary of their son's disappearance was being considered as a possible date for his funeral.

Mr Morcombe said that Daniel deserved to be farewelled "with dignity".

Mr Atkinson told media that testing at a South Australian facility had provided a DNA match late on Saturday.

"This is an enormously significant result," Mr Atkinson said. "It's a very sad answer, but it's the answer."

He read a statement from Mr Morcombe on behalf of the family.

"Denise, Bruce, Dean and Bradley would like to thank the Queensland Police Service and the State of Emergency Service volunteers for their ongoing commitment to maintain the search for Daniel's remains," he read.

"Today's news is extremely sad for us all and although we knew in our heart the search area was Daniel's final resting place, the scientific confirmation is still enormously difficult to comprehend. For seven years and nine months it is that expected shock we have all been waiting for."

Deputy Commissioner Ross Barnett said the search at the Kings Rd crime scene would resume as soon as weather allowed.

"We will search that area with absolute thoroughness and we will not leave that area until we are absolutely certain," a spokesman from Queensland Police told press.

Mr Morcombe said the family found more comfort in visiting the public memorial for Daniel, rather than the site where his remains have been found.

"It's a very eerie place, it's certainly not a place anyone would want to go and visit out of their natural accord," he said.

Mrs Morcombe added: "It's more like hell."

Brett Peter Cowan, 42, has been charged with Daniel's abduction and murder.