Looks like Joan Rivers will not be getting her dream funeral.
Apparently, the comedian has already planned out how her funeral would look and feel like even before she passed away. In 2012, Rivers published a book. In it, she described what would be her perfect funeral. According to TMZ, Joan imagined her funeral to be a "a huge showbiz affair with lights, cameras, action." She further wrote, "I don't want some rabbi rambling on; I want Meryl Streep crying, in five different accents. I don't want a eulogy; I want Bobby Vinton to pick up my head and sing 'Mr. Lonely.'"
Sadly, it doesn't look like Joan Rivers will be getting the perfect funeral she wrote about. This is due to the fact that Bobby Vinton is too sick to perform on her parting day. Apparently, the singer, who happens to be a good friend of Joan's for years, is currently diagnosed with pneumonia, and has to refrain from any strenuous activities including singing. A representative of Vinton has also told TMZ that he is very sad that he will not be able to perform his song, but will do his best to make up for it one way or another.
It was previously reported that The Comedian passed away at Mount Sinai Hospital where she was being taken cared of. She was 81 years old.
Joan's daughter, Melissa Rivers, has released the following statement: "It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother. She passed peacefully at 1:17 p.m. surrounded by family and close friends. My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother."
She further said, "Cooper and I have found ourselves humbled by the outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received from around the world. They have been heard and appreciated. My mother's greatest joy in life was to make people laugh. Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon."
The comedy legend's funeral will take place at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan.
"It is a terribly sad day for all of us," said Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson. "We mourn with her family, friends and all those millions to whom she brought laughter and joy."
Joan's death follows her previously reported complications while undergoing a throat surgery in New York City on August 28.
