It has been slightly over a week since the tragic loss of Matthew Perry, and the entertainment industry is still grappling with the shock of his passing.
According to reports, the funeral of the Friends star took place this past weekend, as loved ones came together at Forest Memorial Park in Los Angeles to bid their final goodbyes.
In attendance were Perry’s co-stars from his iconic role as Chandler Bing on Friends, including Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, and Lisa Kudrow. Grainy images from the send-off swiftly went viral online, capturing the collective heartbreak.
Matthew Perry, the beloved actor renowned for his portrayal of Chandler Bing on the beloved sitcom Friends, passed away on October 28 at the age of 54. The Los Angeles Police Department continues to investigate the cause of his untimely death, as he was discovered unresponsive in the hot tub of his Los Angeles residence.
Throughout his life, Perry grappled with the challenges of both drug and alcohol addiction. However, in his later years, he dedicated himself to helping others overcome similar battles. His aspiration was not to be remembered solely for his acting or his role on Friends but for the support he extended to others in their struggles with addiction.
Though Perry had numerous relationships throughout his life, he never married or had children. His most cherished relationships were the ones he forged with his Friends castmates. In a touching tribute, they gathered to say their final goodbyes to Perry at his resting place in Forest Memorial Park in Los Angeles over the weekend.
In a joint statement last week, they expressed their profound devastation and emphasized that their connection went far beyond being mere castmates; they were a family deeply affected by the loss of Matthew.
Perry’s private funeral was an emotionally charged event, further intensified by the choice of song to conclude the ceremony. Reports suggest that Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush’s rendition of “Don’t Give Up” was selected as the final song, a tune that Sir Elton John once credited with saving his life and aiding his journey to sobriety.
The poignant lyrics of the song 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 song’s conclusion resonates with the message, “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 wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Fans took to social media to share their heartbreak, with many expressing the deep emotions evoked by the song’s choice during the funeral, making an already mournful occasion even more poignant.