It’s been over a week since the tragic passing of Matthew Perry, but the entertainment industry is yet reeling shock.
As per reports, the funeral of the Friends star was held this past weekend, with loved ones gathering to say their goodbyes at Forest Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
Perry’s co-stars from his most famous acting role, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Jennifer Anniston, David Schwimmer, and Lisa Kudrow, were all in attendance, with grainy images from the send-off quickly going viral online.
A heartbreaking affair all around, you can be sure, yet there was reportedly one detail from Perry’s funeral that added a fresh layer of agony to proceedings…
Matthew Perry, the beloved actor known for his portrayal as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom Friends, passed away on October 28, aged 54. The Los Angeles Police Department is still investigating the cause of his death, though the actor was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his LA home.
Perry struggled with both drug and alcohol addiction throughout his life, but in later years, he devoted his time to helping others. In fact, he didn’t want to only be remembered for his acting or role on Friends, but rather how he helped others in their battles with addiction.
Throughout his life, Matthew Perry had several relationships but never married or had children. His most cherished relationships, however, were with his Friends cast mates.
Fittingly, they were on hand to bid their final goodbyes to Perry as he was laid to rest at Forest Memorial Park in LA this weekend.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” their joint statement last week read.
“There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss… For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
Perry’s private funeral was reportedly an emotional affair, made all the more poignant by the song chosen to close the ceremony.
According to reports, Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush’s rendition of “Don’t Give Up” was chosen as the final song to be played – a tune Sir Elton John once credited with saving his life and helping him get sober.
The touching songs lyrics include: “I am a man whose dreams have all deserted, I’ve changed my face, I’ve changed my name, But no one wants you when you lose”.
The ending of the song goes: “Don’t give up, you still have us … Don’t give up, ’cause somewhere there’s a place where we belong”. According to the Daily Mail there was “not a dry eye in there”.
Fans were quick to share their heartbreak on social media.
“I can barely get through that song without crying anyway, but now?!” one person wrote.
Another added: “For anyone who has read matthew perry’s book, his funeral reportedly ended with the peter gabriel song “don’t give up”
A third said simply: “So sad.”
Hello magazine noted: “Matthew Perry’s funeral song has a heartbreaking backstory.”
Rest in peace, Matthew Perry! And thank you for all the memories. If you want to read more about Perry, check out the article below:
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