Read Melissa Rivers Humorous & Moving Eulogy for Joan Rivers

The funeral of legendary comedienne Joan Rivers was held on Sunday, September 7th at New York City's Temple Emanu-El. Following an opening prayer from the officiating rabbi, six-time Tony award winner Audra McDonald performed a moving version of the Nat King Cole classic, "Smile," reportedly one of Rivers' favorites songs.

Also present to sing before the over two-thousand mourners was Broadway's Hugh Jackman. The 'Les Mis' star, who will soon make his return to Broadway in 'The River,' sang "Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage," a song written by Peter Allen from the musical "The Boy From Oz.".

The eulogy was delivered by radio host Howard Stern, who according to Deadline, quipped that he hoped "Joan is somewhere chasing Johnny Carson with a baseball bat." He later called the comic, a "friend to the world."

At the onset of the ceremony, The Gay Men's Chorus performed a medley of Broadway hits in honor of Rivers' love and support of the theater community. Other Broadway luminaries in attendance were Bernadette Peters, Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming and Tommy Tune.

According to many in attendance, the highlight of the service was a moving and humorous eulogy, delivered by Rivers' daughter Melissa. In her tribute shared by The Hollywood Reporter, Melissa read an excerpt from the upcoming book, A Letter to My Mom, which will hit bookshelves next April. In it, the younger Rivers explains how her mother had recently shacked up once a week in a room in her L.A. home in order to tape her E! series Fashion Police. In the letter read before the funeral attendees, Melissa shared some "issues" that her mom had with the accomodations.

Mom:

I received the note that you slipped under my bedroom door last night. I was very excited to read it, thinking that it would contain amazing, loving advice that you wanted to share with me. Imagine my surprise when I opened it and saw that it began with the salutation, "Dear Landlord." I have reviewed your complaints and address them below:

1. While I appreciate your desire to "upgrade" your accommodations to a larger space, I cannot, in good conscience, move [my 13-year-old son] Cooper into the laundry room. I do agree that it will teach him a life lesson about fluffing and folding, but since I don't foresee him having a future in dry cleaning, I must say no.

Also, I know you are a true creative genius (and I am in awe of the depth of your instincts), but breaking down a wall without my permission is not an appropriate way to express that creativity. It is not only a boundary violation but a building-code violation as well. Additionally, the repairman can't get here until next week, so your expansion plan will have to be put on hold.

2. Re: Your fellow "tenant" (your word), Cooper. While I trust you with him, it is not OK for you to undermine my rules. It is not OK that you let him have chips and ice cream for dinner. It is not OK that you let him skip school to go to the movies. And it is really not OK that the movie was Last Tango in Paris.

As for your taking his friends to a "gentlemen's club," I accepted your rationale that it was an educational experience for the boys - and you are right, he is the most popular kid in school right now - but I'd prefer he not learn biology from those "gentlemen" and their ladies, Bambi, Trixie and Kitten. And just because I yelled at you, I do not appreciate your claim that I have created a hostile living environment.

3. While I'm glad to see you're socializing, you must refill the hot tub after your parties. In fact, you need to tone down the parties altogether. Imagine my surprise when I saw the photos you posted on Facebook of your friends frolicking topless in the hot tub.

I think it's great that you're entertaining more often, but I can't keep fielding complaints from THE NEIGHBORS about your noisy party games like Ring Around the Walker or naked Duck, Duck Caregiver.

I'm more than happy to have you use the house for social gatherings, but you cannot rent it out, advertise as "party central" or hand out T-shirts that say "F- Jimmy Buffett."

In closing, I hope I have satisfactorily answered your complaints and queries. I love having you live with me, and I am grateful for every minute Cooper and I have with you. You are an inspiration. You are also 30 days late with the rent.

Much love,

Melissa

Rivers died last Thursday at the age of 81. The cause of death is currently under investigation. She was hospitalized on Aug. 28 after she went into cardiac arrest during a routine procedure at a doctor's office.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos