Joan Rivers Gets Celebrity-Filled Send-Off

Joan Rivers, the beloved comedian and host of E!’s Fashion Police was laid to rest on Sunday morning in New York City. The hilarious comedian passed away Thursday at the age of 81, and she certainly went out in style. The Hollywood icon was very open about the fact that she wanted to be sent off in style the day she died, and her wishes were certainly granted.

The service for Rivers lasted nearly an hour, and it was a celebrity-filled, star-studded and amazing morning. As the somber guests entered the Temple Emanu-El in the Upper East Side, no one knew quite what to expect. However, when the service began, everyone felt Rivers in the room with them as The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus began to sing, “Hey, Big Spender,” much to everyone’s delight.

Among the many people to attend the funeral, several made their way to the front of the temple to say a few words. Aside from Rivers’ daughter, Melissa, who reportedly gave a heartfelt and hilarious eulogy for her mother, Audra McDonald sang a song, Howard Stern gave a hilarious speech and Hugh Jackman also sang a song.

In attendance were some of the most famous faces in the world, including Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, Whoopi Goldberg, Ozzy Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne, Guiliana Rancic, Andy Cohen and Donald Trump. Also in attendance was famed designer Michael Kors, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Barbara Walters and most of the women from The View, including Rosie O’Donnell.

During Rivers’ farewell, Howard Stern told mourners that Rivers was “…the best frind in the whole world…a big sister….a crazy aunt at a bar mitzvah,” and that “She fought the stereotype that women couldn’t be funny. She was responsible for putting the red carpet into primetime.” Rivers’ service was both a touching and wonderful service, and it’s certainly one that would have met with her approval.

(Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)