Family, friends and famous names from the worlds of TV, film and comedy have said a final farewell to comedian Joan Rivers at her funeral in New York.
Joan Rivers wanted her funeral to be "a huge showbiz affair". Photo: AFP / Getty Images North America
The outspoken 81-year-old died last week after suffering a cardiac arrest while having a routine medical procedure.
Thousands of people, including well-known celebrities and personalities, gathered for the funeral on Sunday held at a landmark synagogue on New York's Fifth Avenue where Rivers was a member of the congregation.
Mourners included actress Sarah Jessica Parker, mogul Donald Trump, comic Kathy Griffin and film star Whoopi Goldberg. Crowds of fans and media also gathered outside Manhattan's Temple Emanu-El, the BBC reports.
The comedian, who died on Thursday, wrote in 2012 about how she wanted her funeral to be "a huge showbiz affair".
Actress Sarah Jessica Parker attended with her husband Matthew Broderick. Photo: AFP / Getty Images North America
"I want paparazzi and I want publicists making a scene!" she said. "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."
Radio host Howard Stern delivered the eulogy, describing Rivers as "the best friend in the world... a big sister... a crazy aunt at a bar mitzvah", according to People magazine.
Other speakers included Rivers' daughter, Melissa, TV journalist Deborah Norville, friend Margie Stern and New York Post columnist Cindy Adams.
Actor Hugh Jackman delivered a rendition of the song Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage, from his musical The Boy From Oz, and Broadway actress Audra McDonald sang Smile.
The New York City Gay Men's Chorus opened the ceremony with a series of Broadway hits, while bagpipers from the New York City Police Department performed New York, New York.
Other mourners included Rivers' former Fashion Police co-star Kelly Osbourne, actors Alan Cumming and Tommy Tune, music producer Clive Davis and fashion designers Carolina Herrera and Michael Kors.
Melissa Rivers and her son Cooper Endicott leaving the service. Photo: AFP / Getty Images
