Taylor late for own funeral

Film icon Elizabeth Taylor was laid to rest in the same celebrity cemetery as her long-time friend Michael Jackson -- and demonstrated a keen sense of humour to the end.

Taylor late for own funeral

Film icon Elizabeth Taylor was laid to rest in the same celebrity cemetery as her long-time friend Michael Jacksonu00a0-- and demonstrated a keen sense of humour to the end. The legendary actress, who died Wednesday aged 79, was sent off with an hour-long private ceremony at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where generations of Hollywood stars are buried.

But her last wishes were respected, and announced after the service had finished. "The service was scheduled to begin at 2 pm, but at Taylor's request it started late," said a statement by her publicist. "Miss Taylor had left instructions that it was to begin at least 15 minutes later than publicly scheduled, with the announcement: 'She even wanted to be late for her own funeral," it added.

The film legend and violet-eyed beauty, famed as much for her stormy love life as her five-decade Oscar-winning film career, died early Wednesday from congestive heart failure at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai hospital. Tributes poured in from Hollywood and beyond for the actress.

Irish actor Colin Farrell gave a recital of the Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo, while other readings were done by her children and grandchildren, said her publicist.

Forest Lawn is where Jackson was buried following his death in June 2009 from an overdose of the powerful sedative propofol. Taylor attended that private ceremony. "I don't think anyone knew how much we loved each other," Taylor said after his death. "I loved Michael with all my soul and I can't imagine life without him. We had so much in common and we had such loving fun together."

$11,000 The cost of the casket (Rs 5 lakh) in which Elizabeth Taylor was buried

Broadway tribute
the association representing New York's Broadway theatres said they would dim their lights yesterday in remembrance of the Hollywood goddess, whose long career included spells on the stage.

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