Joan Rivers funeral recap: Legendary comic is laid to rest in New York
Hollywood stars are expected to pack out New York City's Temple Emanu-El for 81-year-old Joan's funeral
A very Hollywood send off
Legendary comic Joan Rivers will be laid to rest today in a rather glamorous Hollywood ceremony.
Stars are expected to pack out Temple Emanu-El synagogue in New York for the funeral of the acid-tongued comic, who died on September 4, eight days after being admitted to hospital.
Tributes for the witty self confessed plastic surgery addict flooded the internet, with more than 40,000 people calling on President Barack Obama to make September 4 an inaugural Joan Rivers Day.
Brassy Joan leaves behind a daughter, Melissa Rivers, and 13-year-old grandson, Cooper.
Mourners may be unsure what to expect today as Joan already revealed her ideal funeral plan in her 2012 book, I Hate Everyone ... Starting With Me.
She wrote to her daughter: “When I die (and, yes, Melissa, that day will come; and, yes, Melissa, everything's in your name), I want my funeral to be a huge showbiz affair with lights, cameras, action....I want Craft services, I want paparazzi and I want publicists making a scene!
I want it to be Hollywood all the way. I don't want some rabbi rambling on; I want Meryl Streep crying, in five different accents. I don't want a eulogy; I want Bobby Vinton to pick up my head and sing ‘Mr. Lonely.’”
She continued: “I want to look gorgeous, better dead than I do alive. I want to be buried in a Valentino gown and I want Harry Winston to make me a toe tag. And I want a wind machine so that even in the casket my hair is blowing just like Beyonce's.”
2:29 pm
'Heaven just got a whole lot funnier'
To recap:
- The acid-tongued telly personality was rushed to hospital on August 29 after she stopped breathing during routine throat surgery
- In a heartbreaking statement just eight days later, Joan's daughter Melissa said: "It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother. She passed peacefully at 1:17pm surrounded by family and close friends."
- Twitter has been awash with tributes to the star since her death was announced
- Andy Cohen wrote: "Heaven just got a whole lot funnier"
- TV co-host Kelly Osbourne described the comic, who she had known since she was six-years-old as: "Not only my boss, she was and will always be my teacher, therapist, closest friend, inspiration and the only grandmother I ever knew."
- Today's service is thought to begin at 11am New York Time or 4pm UK time
2:33 pm
Live TV and Joan Rivers
As the first - and to date only - woman to ever host a late night network talk show in America, she was utterly fearless in taking on the biggest egos, the most controversial subjects and insulting prissy celebrities right to their faces.
Check out some of her best moments below:
From telling Oprah Winfrey that she 'must lose the weight' to taking on some of the gobbiest reality stars in America on The Celebrity Apprentice (spoiler alert: she won), Joan was unstoppable.
Her 'accidental' swearing on Loose Women when she called Russell Crowe 'a piece of f***ing s***' got her kicked off the show, live, but it was probably her jokes that made her one of the most outrageous comedians out there.
2:39 pm
If you're not on the list...
The funeral of American comedian Joan Rivers takes place today, with the star having given strict instructions on who not to let in, according to the last interview she did before she died.
Tributes have poured out for the 81-year-old, including from celebrities and fellow comics as well as the Prince of Wales, whose wedding she attended in 2005.
In an interview published in today's Sunday Times Style magazine, Rivers spoke about preparing her daughter Melissa for her death by telling her: "It's comi-i-i-ing! It's inevitable."
2:45 pm
She will be furious
Poignantly, what is thought to be Joan River's last ever interview was published on the day of her funeral.
In it, the star addresses death, her family and even plastic surgery, telling the Sunday Times Style magazine: "It's like, God, I'm in my 80s. Nobody, when I die, is going to say, 'how young?' They're going to say she had a great ride."
Journalist Camilla Long writes that when she hears Joan is in a coma (before her death on September 4): "Oh God, she'll be absolutely furious."
Journalist Camilla Long writes that when she hears Joan is in a coma (before her death on September 4): "Oh God, she'll be absolutely furious."
2:53 pm
A final kiss
This is the heartbreaking moment Melissa Rivers said a final goodbye to her late mother Joan.
Melissa followed the pall-bearers carrying her mother's coffin from it's resting place into a busy New York street and stood in silence as it was loaded into a black hearse.
The E! presented then walked over to the flower-adorned casket with her 13-year-old son Cooper, and planted a tender kiss on it.
Melissa then held her hand over her mouth and fought back her tears as the hearse pulled away and transported her mother's body to a New Jersey Crematorium.
3:03 pm
Our US editor Chris Bucktin has revealed the order of service:
Opening with Gay Men's Chorus, followed by rabbi's prayers, Audra McDonald is then singing, Deborah Norville talking about her life, Cindy Adams then due to speak, followed by Melissa Rivers and Hugh Jackman to finish.
3:42 pm
Melissa's support from her son
Joan's heartbroken daughter Melissa is being supported by her young son Cooper, 13, who was photographed holding on to her as she broke down in tears outside of the Frank Campbell Funeral Home in New York.
She was seen wearing a smart black dress with a white trim, long necklaces around her neck and black shades to hide her tears, while Cooper looked smart in a black suit jacket, cream trousers, a white shirt and blue polka dot tie.
4:01 pm
Celebs arrive for funeral
Celebrities including Kathy Griffin, Whoopi Goldberg and Sarah Jessica Parker have arrived at what is set to be the biggest showbiz send-off for Joan.
Other stars including US King of Media Howard Stern are attending the ceremony at Temple Emanu-El on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and thousands of fans have gathered to bid farewell to the comedienne.
4:14 pm
Whoopi waves to the crowds
Whoopi Golberg is wearing a black robe with different coloured shoes for the funeral and waved thousands of people lining the streets as she arrived.
Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka Trump and family are also in attendance and Donald tweeted: "Getting ready to pay final respect to GREAT LADY Joan Rivers. She could light up a room like no other! She will be greatly missed.'
Joan's Fashion Police co-host Kelly Osbourne and E! presenter Giuliana Rancic are also among the guests.
4:17 pm
Whoopi's tribute to Joan
Whoopi remembers Joan as being so funny, her jokes caused incontinence.
The View co-host told previously told The Post at the August Getty show: "Joan made me laugh harder than anyone I've ever known. It wasn’t like sometimes. It was every time. She made you laugh deep in your guts. You always left Joan with wet underwear."
As for her inspiring dozens of other women to become comediennes, Whoopi says Rivers never changed to please others.
She added: "That’s the thing I loved her for. She was funny. She did her. She was always her. And you want to strive for that."
4:30 pm
The funeral has begun
It appears the funeral has now started as guests have stopped arriving and the doors have closed.
Actress Bernadette Peters, music industry executive Clive Davis and TV host Kathie Lee Gifford are also among mourners at New York's Temple Emanu-El where hundreds of friends, family and colleagues are now honouring the funnywoman.
4:52 pm
Stars step out in style
New photographs of the celebs arriving at the funeral show EVERYONE has made an effort with their outfits to say goodbye to the Fashion Police host, who was known for her honest opinions when it came to style.
Sarah Jessica Parker is wearing a stunning black and white polka dot dress, lace jacket and hot pink heels, while Kelly O is wearing a gorgeous tight black dress and black stilettos matched with a Chanel handbag and shades.
Fashion designer Carolina Herrera has also chosen a smart black skirt suit with a delicate bow belt and white flower brooch.
5:23 pm
Fashion Police approve
We think Joan, whose had huge success with her E! show Fashion Police, would have been proud of everyone making an effort when it came to their wardrobe choices for her funeral.
Kelly O looks looked particularly stylist in black and we love Sarah Jessica Parker's shoes, even Barbara Walters wore a very fetching hat for the ceremony and waved to the crowds as she arrived.
5:46 pm
Donald looking dapper
Donald Trump was a good friend of Joan's and he made sure he looked dapper for her big showbiz funeral today in New York.
The American business magnate, 68, who tweeted about the comedienne's send-off earlier today, had his blonde hair combed back and wore a smart navy suit, white shirt and striped blue tie for the ceremony. (Pretend the traffic cone doesn't ruin this picture).
5:51 pm
Sarah Jessica-Parker is fabulous
Sarah Jessica-Parker would definitely be named Best Dressed by Joan if she were to comment on the wardrobe choices at her own funeral.
The star looked gorgeous in this black and white polka dot number and the most fabulous hot pink heels.
We know it's a funeral, but we feel Joan would have wanted everyone to put a least a little bit of thought into their outfit choices, she was the host of E!'s Fashion Police after all and had a LOT to say when it came to style.
6:16 pm
Melissa's words for her mother
Details are now coming through about the service from our US editor Christopher Bucktin.
The ceremony was presided over by Rabbi Joshua Davidson, who opened the funeral before Broadway's Audra McDonald gave an emotional performance, which left countless guests in tears.
Shock jock Howard Stern then created laughter when he recalled his time with Rivers calling her "the best friend in the world ... a big sister ... a crazy aunt at a bar mitzvah."
He added: "She fought the stereotype that women couldn't be funny.
"She was responsible for putting the red carpet into prime time."
Melissa, the comic’s only child, then thanked the congregation for their support and love, saying: "We are humbled."
She read out a letter she had sent to her mother causing the whole temple to be in fits of laughter.
She ended her speech saying: "I am grateful for everyday Cooper (River’s grandson) and I have with you.
"You are an inspiration."
6:18 pm
Hugh Jackman's performance
The hour long service was brought to a close by Hollywood star Hugh Jackman singing the Peter Allen song, "Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage."
As the lyrics "Put your hands together" was sang the audience applauded before giving him and Rivers a standing ovation.
Kelly Osbourne was supported throughout the service by her father Ozzy, while Sarah Jessica Parker was accompanied by her husband Matthew Broderick.
6:32 pm
New York, New York!
According to People.com, the swell of the pipes playing New York, New York could be heard all along 5th Avenue.
Several streets were shut off so the crowds of fans and guests at the funeral could watch the pipers play.
The back cover of the programme handed out to attendees read, simply: "Can we talk?
The back cover of the programme handed out to attendees read, simply: "Can we talk?
"Who are you wearing?
" ... Because I'm a funny person ... "
Joan was just fabulous, wasn't she?
7:24 pm
It was everything Joan would have wanted
The star-studded funeral for Joan Rivers has now ended ... and boy was it a ceremony to remember.
It was everything Joan would have wanted for her showbiz farewell, apart from Meryl Streep crying in "five different accents" .. but we won't dwell on that.
The 81-year-old star, who suffered a respiratory and cardiac arrest following a diagnostic procedure, died on Thursday, eight days after being admitted to hospital, and previously revealed her hopes for her send-off in the 2012 book I Hate Everyone ... Starting With Me.
She wrote: "I want my funeral to be a huge showbiz affair with lights, cameras, action. I want Craft services, I want paparazzi and I want publicists making a scene! I want it to be Hollywood all the way."
With the hundreds of people who lined the streets and dozens of paparazzi, we think she would have loved the send-off.
Let's recap how the star was remembered at the moving service at New York's Temple Emanu-El today:
- Stars including Whoopi Goldberg, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kelly Osbourne, Howard Stwern and Donald Trump turned out for the service and made sure they dressed to impress as they said goodbye to the Fashion Police host.
- Friends and family were welcomed into the private funeral by New York’s Gay Men's Chorus singing show tunes before the opening pray from Rabbi Joshua Davidson.
- Broadway's Audra McDonald gave an emotional performance, which left countless guests in tears.
- Howard Stern then delivered a speech, which was emotional but still resulted in plenty of laughter as he called Rivers: "The best friend in the world ... a big sister ... a crazy aunt at a bar mitzvah."
- Stern also noted: "She fought the stereotype that women couldn't be funny," and said, "She was responsible for putting the red carpet into prime time."
- Friends including Margie Stern (whose daughter Ricki directed Joan's documentary, A Piece of Work), gossip columnist Cindy Adams, and daughter Melissa all paid tribute to the comedienne. Her only child said: "I am grateful for everyday [Melissa's son] Cooper and I have with you. You are an inspiration."
- The hour-long service ended with Hugh Jackman delivering a rousing rendition of the Peter Allen song, Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage, and the mourners applauded the star as he repeated the line: "Put your hands together."
- After closing prayers the crowd began to leave the temple to the sound of bagpipes played by the Pipes & Drums of the Emerald Society. They performed New York, New York, which was fitting for Joan, and could be heard all along 5th Avenue.
- Friends say it was a service Joan would have been proud of and "heaven just got a lot funnier."
- The back of the programme at the funeral also read: "Can we talk?" "Who are you wearing?" "Because I'm a funny person."
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