George Michael’s funeral was officiated by the Greek Orthodox priest Costas Garibaldinos who was the priest at St Andrews in Kentish Town for several years and now the priest at St Athanasios in Cambridge.
Best-selling British superstar singer George Michael was buried in London yesterday Wednesday in a private funeral some three months after his death on Christmas Day, his publicist said.
A service, attended by family and close friends, was held in the tiny, 30-seat chapel at Highgate West Cemetery .
Several luxury cars with blacked-out windows arrived and later left Highgate Cemetery in north London, Reuters reporters said. Highgate Cemetery is where George Michael’s mother is buried..
There was plenty of security with several guards at the entrance and black tarpaulin shielding the view through wrought iron gates.
The Sun reported that George Michael’s coffin was transported to the site at 6am in a private ambulance.
The order of service carried an image of the singer with a verse on the cover in English and Greek.
The funeral was followed with the wake at George Michael’s Highgate house.
Born in London in 1963 as Georgios Kyriacos Panayiatou, son of a Greek Cypriot immigrant father and English mother, Michael became one of the best-selling British recording artists of all time. He sold over 115 million records worldwide by the time of his death.
In his career with Wham! and as a solo singer, his hits included “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”, “Last Christmas”, “Careless Whisper” and “Faith”, winning him legions of fans.
The outside gates of Highgate Cemetery, the final resting place of such luminaries as communism’s founder Karl Marx, biologist Herbert Spencer, historian Eric Hobsbawm and scientist Michael Faraday, were covered to restrict the view of the private ceremony.
“Family and close friends gathered for the small, private ceremony to say goodbye to their beloved son, brother and friend,” a family statement from the singer’s publicist said, without confirming the venue.
“George Michael’s family would like to thank his fans across the world for their many messages of love and support.”
Earlier this month, a coroner said the singer, who was part of the hugely popular Wham! duo in the 1980s before embarking on a successful solo career, died of natural causes.
It said there was no need for further inquiries into his death at the age of 53.
Reuters, Sun and Parikiaki.
Now I LAY me down to sleep! I will always love you George, for ever and ever AMEN.??? RIP ANGEL??
YOU WERE THE WORLDS TOP MUSICAL ENTERTAINER. I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE KNOWN YOU.
Ciao George R. I. P rimmarai sempre nel mio cuore ??????????
A man who was a profound vocalist, perfectionist and professionalism, my sincere condolences to his family, friends, music band and those he loved. He will be missed by many but George will live on in spirit through his music. I have purchased his songs and videos to cherish. Many blessings to family, friends, music band and loved ones as we continue through our journey in life, God Bless to all! RIP GEORGE????✨?✨
Ο ΘΕΟΣ ΝΑ ΑΝΑΠΑΥΕΙ ΤΗ ΨΥΧΗ ΣΟΥ ΓΙΩΡΓΟ Κ ΠΑΝΑΓΙΩΤΟΥ
REST IN PEACE GEORGE MICHAEL
You are Absolutely ONE OF A KIND before, during and forever more that cannot nor will not Ever be duplicated! Your youthful vision that you would be ‘beyond and separated’ from the norm making a difference in this life had come true and led you to your destiny that YOU had always seen; PROOF to me, God had ALWAYS had his hand on your head and heart and path. You, our Treasured and Precious George Michael, love and Earth Angel, have NOTHING to regret in ANY size, shape or form. You Believed in, gave and received such great depths of Love! You have left BLINDING soaring of beauty in your wake from your path IN THIS WORLD. DEEP, DEEP…DEEEEEP Love, gratitude, respect and Appreciation of your existence and unfathomable Gifts for now and prosperity in music and this life.
Gone but never ever will be forgotten. Rest in peace now. You will always be loved xxxx
God rest your soul George,you are now with your beloved mum that you loved so much
R.I.P