Friends Co-Stars Only Attended First Half of Matthew Perry’s Private Memorial Service
On November 3, 2023, beloved TV actor Matthew Perry was laid to rest. His Friends co-stars were all present during the first half of the funeral service. However, they were excused from the second half since it was intended exclusively for close friends and family.
The main cast of the popular sitcom and Matthew’s real-life friends are 54-year-old Jennifer Aniston, 60-year-old Lisa Kudrow, 59-year-old Courteney Cox, and 57-year-old David Schwimmer. The group arrived in mourning attire, looking somber as they said their final goodbyes to 54-year-old Matthew.
The quartet arrived at Los Angeles’ Forest Lawn cemetery and kept to themselves most of the time.
Matt LeBlanc joined them outside the church after the simple one-hour ceremony. The 56-year-old, together with his fellow actors from the show, were seen sharing conversations with the other well-wishers.
They were noticeably absent for the rest of the funeral service. One insider said, “The Friends cast did not attend the second half of the services, which took place further up from the church at The Courts of Remembrance, which is made up of several open-air courtyards.”
About 20 people attended the final part of the ceremony, which was described as very intimate and solemn. As the Friends cast left, the rest of the mourners went to their cars and drove to The Courts of Remembrance where Matthew’s coffin was taken.
Matthew’s mother, 84-year-old Suzanne Morrison, and his journalist stepfather, 76-year-old Dateline journalist, were present in both gatherings. His biological father, 82-year-old John Perry, was also there. One of the pallbearers was Keith Morrison.
The cemetery where Matthew was buried is located opposite Warner Bros Studios. The production facility was Matthew’s second home for years, given that it was where Friends was filmed for an impressive ten seasons.
Aside from Matthew, other Hollywood celebrities have been buried in the same cemetery. The list includes Carrie Fisher, Stan Laurel, Bette Davis, Buster Keaton, Michael Hutchence, and Anne Heche.
The service ended with a very fitting song, a rendition of Peter Gabriel’s “Don’t Give Up.” The lyrics go, “No fight left or so it seems, 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.”
An onlooker shared that there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd during the actor’s private funeral service. But there was also laughter as close friends and family celebrated Matthew’s life.
After the funeral, Matthew was buried in a wooden coffin as black-clad family and friends stood outside the church. Some were casually chatting with one another, while others shared hugs and words of comfort.
Last October 28, Matthew was found dead in the bathtub of his Los Angeles home. Though the exact cause of death has yet to be released, many are concerned that he might have relapsed. During his career, the actor was known to have battled drug and alcohol addiction.
“It is very odd to live in a world where if you died, it would shock people but surprise no one.” – Matthew Perry.
