Amy Winehouse Funeral: Family, Friends and Celebrities Gather to Mourn
British pop singer Amy Winehouse, 27, who died on Saturday from causes that have yet to be determined, was mourned today as 200 of her family members and famous friends gathered for a private funeral in London.
In a tribute to her close friend, reality star and ‘Fashion Police’ panel member Kelly Osbourne wore her blonde hair in Winehouse’s trademark beehive. Producer Mark Ronson, who worked with the singer on her blockbuster album, ‘Back to Black,’ and has called her a “musical soulmate,” was also in attendance, as were her bandmates and her most recent boyfriend, Reg Traviss.
Winehouse’s ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, who’s serving a prison term and is said to be “inconsolable” about her death, was absent. He requested but was denied a leave from jail to pay his respects.
Mitch Winehouse, Amy’s father, delivered the eulogy, peppering it with childhood stories and funny anecdotes. “He stressed so many times she was happier now than she had ever been and he spoke about her boyfriend and paid tribute to a lot of people in her life,” said family spokesman Chris Goodman in a statement.
Mr. Winehouse closed his remarks with, “Goodnight my angel. Sleep tight. Mommy and Daddy love you ever so much.”
As the memorial ended, he encouraged the crowd to sing along to one of Amy’s favorite songs, Carole King’s ‘So Far Away,’ and they complied.
The service, which was conducted partially in Hebrew by a rabbi, will be followed by the cremation of Amy’s body, and her family will converge for a smaller gathering at a nearby synagogue. In keeping with Jewish custom, the family will also later sit shiva.
[E Online]