Joan Rivers: Best funeral ever

Joan Rivers wanted her funeral to be a big showbiz affair and that is exactly what it was

NEW YORK:

Family and friends bid farewell on Sunday to Joan Rivers, the outspoken comedian who became famous around the world for her acerbic wit and brash style, at a private funeral sprinkled with jokes, laughter and songs.

Comedian Jeffrey Ross described it as “somber but funny” with plenty of hearty laughs from Rivers’ friends.

“Nothing was off limits. Comedians have a responsibility to shine a light on the darkest things in the world, that’s what Joan did. People really addressed that today,” he said after the service.

Guests exited the funeral to the sound of bagpipes and some mingled and hugged as many hundreds of fans, along with dozens of reporters, photographers and television crews.

The Brooklyn-born comedian wrote in her 2012 book I Hate Everyone ... Starting With Me, about wanting her funeral to be a big showbiz affair and that is what it was.

Journalist and talk show host Geraldo Rivera said he never saw a funeral with more laughter.

“It really was so funny. Cindy Adams, the columnist, followed shortly after. The rabbi was burying his head as the F-bombs were launched. And then Hugh Jackman nailed it with a great Broadway song. So it was a real New York show. It was exactly as Joan would have wanted it,” he added.

Joan’s influence reached far beyond her New York roots. Tributes poured in from around the world.

Britain’s Prince Charles described Rivers, who attended his 2005 wedding to the Duchess of Cornwall, as “an extraordinary woman with an original and indefatigable spirit.”

Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that she would be deeply missed.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2014.

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