In her own words: Rivers described her perfect funeral in her 2013 autobiography
Even in death, Joan Rivers got what she wanted: A star-studded funeral.
On Sunday morning, a legion of notables turned out at New York's Temple Emanu-El to remember Rivers, who died Thursday at 81: Kathy Griffin, whose edgy, biting comedy career was largely made possible by Rivers; colleague and friend Kelly Osbourne; Sarah Jessica Parker and Whoopi Goldberg; Howard Stern.
Theater stars Bernadette Peters, Alan Cumming and Tommy Tune were there. Record producer Clive Davis arrived, too. Fashion designers Carolina Herrera and Michael Kors were there.
Stars from TV such as Barbara Walters, Geraldo Rivera, Diane Sawyer, Kathie Lee, Hoda Kotb and Andy Cohen. And moguls Barry Diller, Donald Trump and Steve Forbes. Scroll for pictures
The New York Department of Health has launched a review of the Manhattan clinic where the legendary comic underwent the ill-fated outpatient procedure, which left her in a coma, and ultimately resulted in her death.
In a recently uncovered 1985 interview with Good Morning America - reported on by People - host Joan Lunden, Rivers, sporting big 80s hair and bold makeup, revealed that she was suffering from arrhythmia - a condition the causes the heart to beat out of sync.
Rivers referred to it as a 'ladies' problem' that affects one in four women. While relatively common, the heart trouble unnerved her, she confided.
'All of a sudden you'll be on stage and hear "tha-thump,"' she told Lunden, striking her chest with her hand for emphasis. 'It scares the hell out of me.'
But true to form, Rivers was quick to make light of her health concerns.
‘Anything from my chest scares me because there's nothing down there,’ she quipped. ‘It's so lonesome.’
Rivers, who has become a poster girl for excessive plastic surgery over the years, explained that going under the knife while suffering from arrhythmia could pose a risk.
‘When you go under, say for plastic surgery or something like that, that's when your heart can go out of kilter. So I'm always very careful,’ she said in an off-hand remark that has proven eerily prophetic.
On their website, the American Heart Association defines arrhythmia as ‘any change from the normal sequence of electrical impulses. The electrical impulses may happen too fast, too slowly, or erratically – causing the heart to beat too fast, too slowly, or erratically.
‘When the heart doesn't beat properly, it can't pump blood effectively. When the heart doesn't pump blood effectively, the lungs, brain and all other organs can't work properly and may shut down or be damaged.’
The comedienne's heartbroken daughter, Melissa Rivers, leaves her home en route to the funeral on Sunday
Star-studded: Sarah Jessica Parker and Whoopi Goldberg arrive at Joan Rivers' funeral Sunday morning
Respects: US actress Sarah Jessica Parker, her husband US actor Matthew Broderick (R) and their son James Wilkie depart the funeral of US comedienne Joan Rivers at Temple Emanu-El in New York
Kathie Lee Gifford (left) and Hoda Kotb, of 'Today,' arrive to pay their respects
Donald Trump's arrival caused a stir among the huge crowd gathered outside Manhattan's Temple Emanu-El
Comedian Rosie O'Donnell chats with other mourners after the funeral
Inside Temple Emanu-El, the stars were treated to a performance by the New York City Gay Men's Chorus singing 'irreverent, fun songs,' an insider told MailOnline.
Howard Stern opened proceedings with jokes about the effects of aging on parts of Rivers' body - not unlike jokes Rivers herself has made - then grew serious as he spoke of his affection for Rivers, describing her as his 'hero.'
He called Rivers the 'best friend in the world,' a 'big sister' and the 'crazy aunt at a Bar Mitzvah,' People reported.
'I hope Joan is somewhere right now chasing Johnny Carson with a baseball bat,' he said, referring to the feud between 'The Tonight Show' host and Rivers that began when she became the first woman to be offered her own late night show.
Hugh Jackman delivered a moving tribute, singing Peter Allen's 'Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage.' A touched crowd stood up and applauded, following along Jackman's lead as he sang the line, 'Put your hands together.'
Audra McDonald, of Broadway fame, left mourners in tears as she sang.
Rivers' only daughter Melissa was the last speaker. She read a light-hearted letter to her mother, striking 'just the right tone for this event,' an insider told MailOnline.
She is reportedly beside herself with grief at the loss of her mother, but put on a brave face for the funeral.
'It felt like a Broadway show with tons of humor, lots of tears and it ended with a standing ovation,' 'Today' co-host Hoda, who was among the attendees, told MailOnline.
'It was perfect. That's exactly how it should've been.'
Mourners exited the church to the sound of 'New York, New York' on bagpipes.
US talk show host Andy Cohen arrives the funeral of US comedienne Joan Rivers at Temple Emanu-El in New York City, New York
Designer Carolina Herrera arrives to attend the funeral of comedienne Joan Rivers at Temple Emanu-El in New York September 7, 2014.
Overcome: A somber Diane Sawyer leaves the funeral service for Joan Rivers on Sunday afternoon
Newswoman Barbara Walters leaves the funeral. Showman Hugh Jackman, who rode his bike to the funeral, delivered a moving song during the service
Rivers' daughter Melissa (center, front) and grandson leave Temple Emanu-El after the funeral
The service program featured quotes from the funnywoman, who wanted to 'look better dead' than she did alive during her funeral
Bagpipes played 'New York, New York' as they led the funeral procession from Temple Emanu-El
The comedian detailed in her 2012 book 'I Hate Everyone ... Starting With Me' that she hoped for 'a huge showbiz affair with lights, cameras, action' and 'Hollywood all the way.'
Instead of a rabbi talking, Rivers asked for 'Meryl Streep crying, in five different accents' and 'a wind machine so that even in the casket my hair is blowing just like Beyonce's.'
In her book, Rivers joked that dying of natural causes was boring. 'It's the grand finale, act three, the eleven o'clock number — make it count. If you're going to die, die interesting! Is there anything worse than a boring death? I think not.'
The star's funeral comes on the heels of a revelation that the New York Police Department is investigating the death of Rivers.
Rivers told an interview recorded nearly three decades ago how she was scared of undergoing anesthesia because of the heart condition she suffered, it has emerged.
Then 50-year-old Joan Rivers appeared on Good Morning America revealing that she was suffering from a heart condition that terrified her – especially in relation to surgical anesthesia.
NBC host Chuck Scarborough and his wife leave the funeral
Mourners gather outside Temple Emanu-El
Crowds gathered outside Temple Emanu-El on Fifth Avenue to watch as a procession of stars entered the funeral
Fox News host Geraldo Rivera smiles at the crowd of onlookers gathered outside
Denis Leary attends the Joan Rivers memorial service at Temple Emanu-El on September 7, 2014 in New York City
Her funeral was anything but boring — just how she wanted it.
Goldberg, wearing a choir-like robe with different color shoes, waved a cheering crowd 4,500 -strong as she walked in.
Donald Trump caused a stir when he came in. His daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband were there, too.
'Getting ready to pay final respect to GREAT LADY Joan Rivers,' Donald Trump tweeted. 'She could light up a room like no other! She will be greatly missed.'
Sarah Jessica Parker walks out of the funeral
ABC anchor Diane Sawyer (left) was so distraught, she had to cut an interview short after the funeral. On the right, gossip columnist Cindy Adams walks into Temple Emanu-El, where she shared a few words about Rivers
Mourners leave Temple Emanu-El to the sound of bagpipes on Sunday
Mourners lined up outside the Fifth Avenue synagogue and waited for their names to be checked against a list before entering.
At one point, a silver car believed to belong to actor Matthew Broderick — and that was parked right in front of the church — had to be unlocked by a policewoman and was towed away.
Barricades lined several blocks of Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, and a crowd of fans and media stood watch across the street.
On Saturday, Rivers' only daughter Melissa said a heartbreaking goodbye to her mother kissing her casket and holding back tears.
The touching moment between Melissa and the comedy legend came just before Rivers was transported to a New Jersey crematorium.
Melissa covered her mouth to prevent herself from crying uncontrollably as she bent over the mahogany coloured casket and said her final goodbye outside Frank E. Campbell funeral home on the Upper East Side.
Her son, Cooper, 13, was right by her side comforting her before the black hearse pulled away.
Cooper could be seen placing his hand on his mom’s back and she lovingly touched him on the cheek.
The pair also attended the service together - hand in hand.
During her long-forgotten GMA appearance, Rives also shed light on her efforts to stay slim, telling her interviewer that she crash-diets all the time because of her insatiable appetite.
‘If a ketchup bottle dropped on one of your children,’ she joked, ‘you should not leaver her in the room alone with me. I will eat anything.'
An autopsy that has been performed on Rivers failed to find a cause of death pending additional tests.
It has been reported that before going in for surgery, the Fashion Police co-host got a clean bill of health from her doctors and appeared to be in good physical condition.
TMZ reported that the medical facility has been receiving death threats from Rivers' angry fans since her hospitalization last Thursday.
One of the menacing massages stated: 'If Joan dies, so will you.'
Another supporter of the beloved comic allegedly said: 'I hope you people die, you killed an icon.'
In light of the hostility, the clinic has hired additional security guards and has been sending employees home early.
Dr Lillian Glass, who treated Rivers in 1987 after she had been diagnosed with vocal cord stress, said: 'It is devastating for Joan's family. She apparently went in for a diagnostic procedure and even if something natural – such as cardiac arrest – happened, why wasn't she saved?
'Where were the trained medical staff and the equipment to help her? We have equipment on planes, why wasn't the right equipment in a medical facility?
Mourned: Joan Rivers was remembered and honored in a moving funeral service on Sunday
SOURCE:www.dailymail.co.uk
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