Monday 8 September 2014

Joan Rivers Laid To Rest In Style Amidst Tears, Humour And A Standing Ovation



Everyone's favourite lady and comedian Joan Rivers was laid to rest yesterday. The memorable event was attended by top shots and fans of the late Fashion Police host.
According to Dailymail, legion of notables shows up at New York's Temple Emanu-El to remember the legend, who died at 81 on Thursday. Among the crowds: Kathy Griffin, Whoopie Goldberg, Howard Stern
In her book, the comedic star revealed that she hoped for 'a huge showbiz affair with lights, cameras, action'
Scores of fans, friends and family visited Joan Rivers' apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side on Friday following her death
Autopsy found no cause of death pending additional tests as New York medical examiner continues to investigate
The NYPD is now also investigating the death of the comedienne
Rivers' daughter Melissa said a heartbreaking goodbye to her mother on Saturday. Even in death, Joan Rivers got what she wanted: A star-studded funeral.








On Sunday morning, a legion of notables turned out at New York's Temple Emanu-El to remember Rivers, who died Thursday at 81: Kathy Griffin, whose edgy, biting comedy career was largely made possible by Rivers; colleague and friend Kelly Osbourne; Sarah Jessica Parker and Whoopi Goldberg; Howard Stern.
Theater stars Bernadette Peters, Alan Cumming and Tommy Tune were there. Record producer Clive Davis arrived, too. Fashion designers Carolina Herrera and Michael Kors were there.
Stars from TV such as Barbara Walters, Geraldo Rivera, Diane Sawyer, Kathie Lee, Hoda Kotb and Andy Cohen. And moguls Barry Diller, Donald Trump and Steve Forbes.










Inside Temple Emanu-El, the stars were treated to a performance by the New York City Gay Men's Chorus singing 'irreverent, fun songs,' an insider told MailOnline.
Howard Stern opened proceedings with jokes about the effects of aging on parts of Rivers' body - not unlike jokes Rivers herself has made - then grew serious as he spoke of his affection for Rivers, describing her as his 'hero.'
He called Rivers the 'best friend in the world,' a 'big sister' and the 'crazy aunt at a Bar Mitzvah,' People reported.
'I hope Joan is somewhere right now chasing Johnny Carson with a baseball bat,' he said, referring to the feud between 'The Tonight Show' host and Rivers that began when she became the first woman to be offered her own late night show.













Mourners exited the church to the sound of 'New York, New York' on bagpipes.
The comedian detailed in her 2012 book 'I Hate Everyone ... Starting With Me' that she hoped for 'a huge showbiz affair with lights, cameras, action' and 'Hollywood all the way.'
Instead of a rabbi talking, Rivers asked for 'Meryl Streep crying, in five different accents' and 'a wind machine so that even in the casket my hair is blowing just like Beyonce's.'

In her book, Rivers joked that dying of natural causes was boring. 'It's the grand finale, act three, the eleven o'clock number — make it count. If you're going to die, die interesting! Is there anything worse than a boring death? I think not.'

The star's funeral comes on the heels of a revelation that the New York Police Department is investigating the death of Rivers.
Her funeral was anything but boring — just how she wanted it.
Goldberg, wearing a choir-like robe with different color shoes, waved a cheering crowd 4,500 -strong as she walked in.

Donald Trump caused a stir when he came in. His daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband were there, too.
'Getting ready to pay final respect to GREAT LADY Joan Rivers,' Donald Trump tweeted. 'She could light up a room like no other! She will be greatly missed.'







Mourners lined up outside the Fifth Avenue synagogue and waited for their names to be checked against a list before entering.
At one point, a silver car believed to belong to actor Matthew Broderick — and that was parked right in front of the church — had to be unlocked by a policewoman and was towed away.
Barricades lined several blocks of Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, and a crowd of fans and media stood watch across the street.

'Joan's relationship with her daughter Melissa really drew my family to her,' said Marisa Bryant, 32, of New York City. 'She had that added bonus of being such a strong force of comedy.
'It's a real testament that all these people are here for her.'

Another onlooker, 72-year-old Carolyn Jordan, said, 'She made me laugh. I admired her tenaciousness and going strong at 81. Joan made people so happy.'

On Saturday, Rivers' only daughter Melissa said a heartbreaking goodbye to her mother kissing her casket and holding back tears.
The touching moment between Melissa and the comedy legend came just before Rivers was transported to a New Jersey crematorium.
Melissa covered her mouth to prevent herself from crying uncontrollably as she bent over the mahogany coloured casket and said her final goodbye outside Frank E. Campbell funeral home on the Upper East Side.
Her son, Cooper, 13, was right by her side comforting her before the black hearse pulled away. 
Cooper could be seen placing his hand on his mom’s back and she lovingly touched him on the cheek.
The pair also attended the service together - hand in hand.

An autopsy that has been performed on Rivers failed to find a cause of death pending additional tests.
It has been reported that before going in for surgery, the Fashion Police co-host got a clean bill of health from her doctors and appeared to be in good physical condition. 


TMZ reported that the medical facility has been receiving death threats from Rivers' angry fans since her hospitalization last Thursday.
One of the menacing massages stated: 'If Joan dies, so will you.'
Another supporter of the beloved comic allegedly said: 'I hope you people die, you killed an icon.'
In light of the hostility, the clinic has hired additional security guards and has been sending employees home early. 

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