Thousands of mourners gathered to pay tribute to Jade Goody, the British reality TV personality, who passed away on March 22 from cervical cancer. Fans and well-wishers lined the streets with flowers and applause. She leaves behind a husband, two young sons, and many extended family.
Photos and video link after the jump
Jade's casket was plain white and rode in a flower-strewn vintage Rolls-Royce hearse, which traveled through the streets of Bermondsey, south east London, and arrived at the St John the Baptist Church in Buckhurst Hill, Essex.
Jackiey Budden, Jade's mom, had to be physically helped by relatives and friends into the funeral car, which headed the 20-vehicle procession. On-lookers shouted their support, "Be strong, Jackiey - she's looking down on you." So sad - no mother should ever have to bury her child.
Although there were only 350 invited guests inside the church, outside there were thousands. They were able to watch two large electronic screens broadcasting the service. A gospel choir sang some of Jade's famorite hymns, including "Amazing Grace."
Jade had made the decision, along with Jeff Brazier, that their sons, Bobby Jack, 5, and Freddie, 4, would not attend the funeral. They are just too young and both Jade and Jeff wanted the boys to remain out of the public eye. Bobby and Freddie are in Australia, on vacation, with their dad.
The service was lead by Reverend Corinne Brixton, who baptized Jade and her sons last month, and the Reverend Dr. Ian Farley. Jack Tweed, Jade's husband, 21, read a poem during the service, which started with "My life will never be the same without you by my side."
There were many floral tributes and they reflected Jade's life. Some wreaths were adorned with pink flowers that spelled out "Jade from Bermondsey," others were shaped like a handbag and a high-heeled shoe, which reflected Jade's comedic personality. Other wreaths had the words "East Angular" and "Minging" - both comical phrases which had put Jade - a former dental nurse - into the spotlight after appearing on Big Brother in 2002.
The cortege stopped briefly as Barry Albin Dyer, funeral director, knocked on the front door of Jade's old flat. A white dove was released to a cheering crowd, near an impromtu shrine on a tree at "The Blue" market on Southwark Park Road, where her family had a stall at one time.
Max Clifford, Jade's rep, said the public's response was overwhelming. "She will have a big smile on her face when she sees what is going on today."
He added, "When we left the house it was cloudy and overcast. As we moved forwards the sun started to come through and that is what in many ways Jade's life was like. It was difficult to start with but as she got older she took more and more control ... and people came to appreciate that.
"This is a girl who was ordinary and extraordinary at the same time."
Many fans traveled a long way to pay their respects, and many believed Jade was a wonderful mother, who always put her boys in top spot.
Mom-of-seven, Kirsty Brooks, traveled with three of her sisters, and said, "She was just a real woman who always put her kids first to the end."
Brenda Morton of Canvey Island in Essex, said, "I have the utmost respect for her for what she did for her boys and what she's done for other girls, she has saved a lot of lives through this.
"She was loud and funny and I think people warmed to her, either you loved Jade or you didn't. She was a bit like Canvey Island really."
Funeral director Albin Dryer said Jade's family "wanted me to tell people today that this is just an extenstion of bringing further awareness to the situation. Had Jade been found to have cervical cancer much earlier, she'd have had such a better chance. That is the message they want to give to everybody."
Bishop Jonathan Blake, of the Open Epsiscopal Church, said, "Jade was always raw and real. There was nothing superficial about her.
"When she had this diagnosis many celebrities would have hidden away at that point but she didn't, she stood out until the end."
Rev Stewart Hartley, vicar of St Jame's Church, Bermondsey, as he walked with the coffin, said Jade had attended the local church and Sunday school. "Several girls have said to me, 'I've gone and had some tests done,' because Jade said they should."
Although some people were against Jade's decision to be public about her fight with cancer, most were thankful she was so vocal. If her story saves even one woman, then it's worth it and her battle with cancer and death were not in vain. No parent should have to bury their child and no child should have to lose their mother at such a young age.
Jade will be buried with only family and close friends in attendance.
You can watch the video here.
[Source|Photos]
Related Posts:
Update: Jade Goody's Funeral Details
Jade Goody's Boys Aren't Going To The Funeral
Jade Goody To Be Buried In Her Wedding Dress
Jade Goody - Celebrate My LIfe
