Freddie Starr's daughter joins mourners as he is laid to rest in coffin engraved with Elvis Presley song title 'Return to Sender'
Comedian Freddie Starr's coffin was engraved with the title of an Elvis Presley at his star-studded funeral on Thursday afternoon. The 76-year-old passed away last month in his Costa del Sol home in Spain after suffering a heart attack. Starr was laid to rest in the presence of his friends, family, and fans at the Prescot Parish Church in Liverpool. A public service was held at 1 pm, and the scheduled private burial was attended by Starr's family.
He was buried in a wooden coffin which was inscribed with the words 'Return to sender' which is an Elvis Presley song that pays tribute to Starr's career as an impersonator of Presley.
On the other side of the coffin, the words read, "Liverpool legend." The repatriation of Starr's body was funded by funeral director Michael Fogg as it was feared that Starr's finances would not stretch to bring him back home.
There was a lot of concern and speculation that Starr would be buried in a pauper's funeral when Fogg intervened and announced that he would pay for a final send-off.
Fogg took to Facebook this morning and wrote that he feels "privileged" that he will be able to lay Starr to rest. His post read, "Today we conduct the funeral for Freddie Starr. To have cared for one of this country's best Entertainer's has been such a privilege I can't put it into words. We will be leaving our funeral home in Sheffield at 09.15 and making our way to Liverpool to lay Freddie to Rest with his beloved mother."
"Rest in peace Freddie and THANKYOU for Everything," the post continued.
Starr's relatives requested mourners and fans to celebrate his life by sporting red ties or red roses to his funeral which was the color of his favorite red teddy boy jacket which become famous in his TV and stage shows. Two out of Starr's four ex-wives, Donna and Sophie, attended the funeral in addition to 6 of his children.
The family released a statement which read, "The extended family of Freddie Starr would like to thank his many friends and fans for their kind and comforting words following his sad death last month. To confirm Freddie’s funeral will take place on Thursday, June 13 at Prescot Parish Church, Prescot, Merseyside at 1 pm. It will be a private family service but fans are welcome to pay their respects outside the church."
"To reflect Freddie’s love of colorful stage and tv costumes, those attending are requested to wear either a red tie or red rose — that being the color of his favorite and famous Teddy Boy jacket. Instead of flowers, Freddie’s family would ask that donations be made in his memory to Alder Hey Children’s Charity. His family would also like to put on record our thanks to funeral director Michael Fogg for all his help and support at this difficult time."