Joan Rivers was laid to rest on Sunday with a funeral only fit for the comedy queen herself.
Despite Meryl Streep not “crying in five different accents” as Rivers had humorously requested in her 2012 book, the star-studded gathering was complete with a red carpet, Howard Stern eulogy, a performance by Hugh Jackman and bagpipers playing New York, New York.
The funeral program featured a page with three classic Rivers’ lines, “Can we talk?” “Who are you wearing?” and “Because I’m a funny person,” as well as an excerpt from her book, I Hate Everyone … Starting with Me, talking about her hopes for a funeral that’s “a huge showbiz affair with lights, cameras, action” and “Hollywood all the way.”
Rivers’ close friend Cindy Adams wrote in Page Six that the funeral was a star-studded affair complete with performances and plenty of laughter. “D. Trump, Judge Judy, Barbara Walters, Sue Simmons, the immediate world called to attend today’s 11 am Temple Emanuel service,””
“As planned by Joan’s pal, Elie Tahari exec Scott Currie, it starts with the Gay Men’s choir show tunes, the rabbi’s opening prayer, Audra McDonald singing, Debra Norville reminiscing. Then me, Melissa, Hugh Jackman. A closing prayer then an NYPD cadre and four horseback riders who, I was told, did not come cheap.”
Stars at the funeral included stars like Kelly Osbourne, Giuliana and Bill Rancic, Kathy Griffin, Rosie O’Donnell, Kristin Chenoweth, Andy Cohen, Whoopi Goldberg, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jeff Ross, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Geraldo Rivera and Barbara Walters.
To end the ceremony, Hugh Jackman took to the stage and sang the Peter Allen song, Quiet Please, There’s a Lady on Stage. At the end of the song the crowd gave Joan Rivers one last standing ovation.
Image credit: joan rivers funeral via zimbio and AP
