Joan Rivers Funeral: Howard Stern Delivers Eulogy at Star-Studded Service

Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald sang “Smile” and the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus belted out a string of Broadway hits on Sunday

Celebrities gather to say goodbye to Joan Rivers memorial service at Temple Emanu-El on September 7, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
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Joan Rivers received a send-off worthy of a Hollywood legend.

Howard Stern delivered the eulogy Sunday at New York’s Temple Emanu-El, as some of the biggest names in television, theater and fashion gathered to say goodbye to the 81-year-old comedienne.

See photos: Joan Rivers Remembered: A Life and Career in Pictures

Other attendees included the late entertainer’s “Fashion Police” co-stars Kelly Osbourne  and Giuliana Rancic. Donald Trump, Whoopi Goldberg, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Griffin, Rosie O’Donnell were also there, along with broadcasters Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, Deborah Norville, Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, and fashion designer Michael Kors. Theater veterans Bernadette Peters and Alan Cumming attended as well.

Rivers’ daughter, Melissa, read a heartfelt letter to her mother and told everyone she appreciated their support.

Also read: Remembering Joan Rivers: Kathy Griffin, Kelly Osbourne Among Stars Attending New York Funeral

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 07: The Emerald Society performs at the Joan Rivers memorial service at Temple Emanu-El on September 7, 2014 in New York City.
The Emerald Society performs at Joan Rivers‘ memorial (Getty Images)

As the funeral got underway at 11 a.m., the New York City Police Department Emerald Society bagpipers could be seen outside the temple. Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald sang “Smile,” Tony winner Hugh Jackman performed the Peter Allen song “Quiet Please, There’s a Lady on Stage,” and the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus belted out a string of Broadway hits.

After the service, Whoopi Goldberg tweeted, “Joan Rivers given a truly funny, truly loving send off by folks who loved her, funny & deeply moving, much like her.”

According to the Associated Press, three of Rivers’ famous lines were printed on the funeral program: “Can we talk?” ”Who are you wearing?” and “Because I’m a funny person.”

See video: 7 Joan Rivers Classic Late-Night Moments

The celebrity-filled send-off, complete with a red carpet, was exactly what Rivers would have wanted. In her book “I Hate Everyone … Starting With Me,” the comedienne said she wanted her funeral to be “a huge showbiz affair with lights, cameras, action” and “Hollywood all the way.”

Rivers died Thursday following complications from throat surgery. She was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York on Aug. 28 and had been on life support.

Also read: Joan Rivers Remembered: 16 of the Comedienne’s Funniest One-Liners

An autopsy on the comedy legend has been completed, but the results did not yield a firm cause or manner of death, a spokeswoman for the New York Medical Examiner’s Office told TheWrap on Friday.

Further studies will be conducted to determine how Rivers died, the spokeswoman said. The New York State Department of Health is also investigating the circumstances surrounding Rivers’ death.

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