Tearful mourners have paid their respects to late Absolutely Fabulous actress June Whitfield, who passed away in her sleep on December 29 2018.
The actress's co-stars Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley arrived at the church at All Hallows Church in Tillington, West Sussex to join the the star's family for the funeral.
The order of service for the funeral included a radiant photo of June, dressed in an animal print blouse and holding pink roses. It read: 'A celebration of the Life of June Rosemary Aitchison, 11th November 1925- 29th December 2018'. It also included a quote which read: 'Remember me with a smile'.
Heartfelt messages and flowers had been laid outside the church before the service which included a selection of Dame June's favourite music, including tunes by Gershwin and Porter sung by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole and Judy Garland.
Speaking before the service, Dame June's daughter, Suzy Aitchison, who starred in Jam & Jerusalem, said: 'I am delighted so many people could be here, it's a lovely day and everyone has been so helpful and lovely.
The order of service for June Rosemary Aitchison (pictured above) which had a quote printed on it which read 'Remember me with a smile'
The veteran actress's wicker coffin was carried, covered in vibrant pink, white and purple flowers, out of the church following the service
Dame June's Absolutely Fabulous co-stars Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders greeted other mourners after the service. Lumley, who played the hedonistic Patsy Stone in the BBC comedy carried a bag branded with the 2015 film version
Actress Julia Sawalha (left) who played long-suffering Saffy in the comedy also paid her respects to her TV 'Gran' at the funeral in Sussex today
June Whitfield (pictured) died in December in her sleep. She was an English actress who got her first big break in the 1953 radio comedy Take It From Here
The flower-covered coffin was loaded onto a hearse after the church service, which Dame June's family said they wanted to be 'a celebration of her life'
'I think she would have been overwhelmed. We are trying to have a celebration of life, that is why we are so brightly dressed - Mum asked for us to wear bright, lovely attire.'
Other's in attendance included stars such as comedian and presenter Roy Hudd, writer Gyles Brandreth and Welsh actress Nerys Hughes.
Reverend Debbie Smith, who led the service, said: 'We are holding the balance between June as just a wonderful woman who was part of this community and contributed wonderfully, as well as having a public face as well.'
She told the congregation: 'She is remembered as an adorable, much-loved woman, known as a national treasure, a role model to many.'
The order of service featured an engagement photograph of Dame June with husband Tim Aitchison, who died in 2001
Suzy Aitchison (left), daughter of June Whitfield, arrived at All Hallows Church in Tillington, West Sussex, for the funeral of her mother earlier today
Jennifer Saunders (left) arrived at All Hallows Church in Tillington, West Sussex, for the funeral of actress June Whitfield earlier this afternoon
Joanna Lumley (centre) and Julia Sawalha (left) arrived at All Hallows Church in Tillington, West Sussex for the funeral
Her wicker casket was covered in bright flowers and the poem She Is Gone by David Harkins was read by Dame June's granddaughter, Bianca Quinn, before a eulogy by Roy Hudd with whom Dame June appeared on radio for many years.
He said: 'She was that rare bird - a goody that looked magical. I had a 35-year course in comedy from the very best.'
This was followed by a eulogy by Ms Aitchison, referred to by her married name of Suzy Quinn, called Memories of Mum.
She said: 'Mum was not special, she was very special, not because she was super-talented and fantastic but in spite of it.
Joanna Lumley, Jennifer Saunders and June Whitfield in Absolutely Fabulous (pictured above). June had penned a book in 2000 entitled 'And June Whitfield' where she spoke about her experiences
June Whitfield (left) in Carry on Abroad with Kenneth Connor (right). The actress died peacefully in her sleep in December last year
Actors June Whitfield (left) and Terry Scott (right), pictured together in 1982, played the characters of Terry and June Medford in the sitcom Terry and June
She was known as lovely, approachable, kind, supporting, effervescent, funny and beautiful. Everyone loved her and she loved everyone.'
She added: 'I am just happy you passed away peacefully in your sleep, as you wanted, and now you are going to rest with Dad.
'You had the perfect end to your wonderful life, no-one could have written your final exit better, no-one could have written you better, you will always be much-loved, missed and unforgettable.'
The service concluded with the hymn Jerusalem and Get Happy sung by Judy Garland.
English writer, broadcaster and actor Gyles Brandreth (left) and welsh actress Nerys Hughes (right) were also in attendance
Comedia, actor and presenter Roy Hudd (left) and his wife Debbie arrived at the service and holding hands
The order of service featured an engagement photograph of Dame June with husband Tim Aitchison, who died in 2001.
Donations in Dame June's memory were requested for Age UK.
The Absolutely Fabulous star enjoyed a career stretching back to the 1940s, including roles in some of of the earliest Carry On films in the 1950s. She was best known for her work with comedian Terry Scott, co-starring in sitcoms Terry and June and Happy Ever After, where they played a husband and wife duo.
She was made a dame in the 2017 Birthday Honours for her services to drama and entertainment in a career spanning eight decades.
After the death of co-star Terry Scott in 1994 June went onto play Edina Monsoon's mother in Absolutely Fabulous, alongside well-loved supporting roles in Last Of The Summer Wine and The Green Green Grass.
She appeared in numerous Radio 4 productions during her career, and played Agatha Christie's Miss Marple.
Whitfield was awarded an OBE in 1985, followed by a CBE in 1998 and then a Damehood in 2017.
June's starring role in Absolutely Fabulous saw her play the dotty granny character and co-star Joanna Lumley, who is in attendance at the service today previously stated that it was 'tremendously sad' to have lost June.
Suzy (pictured left) read a eulogy called Memories of Mum where she said: 'Mum was not special, she was very special, not because she was super-talented and fantastic but in spite of it'
Jennifer Saunders (left) wore a black dress with royal blue flowers while Joanna Lumley (right) wore a big fur coat
'I will always be grateful that she agreed to be in Ab Fab and even more grateful that she became a dear friend.
'She lived and worked with extraordinary grace. Everything June did was perfectly measured. She was so loved and I will miss her hugely.'
Other tributes for the star had poured in after her death was announced in December, with controller of BBC Comedy Shane Allen having crowned June as the 'North Star of British comedy'.
He said: 'Her spectacular career is unparalleled in its longevity, with seven decades of being a key element in numerous high profile and successful shows.
'She was the go-to female comedy performer of her generation and was always in demand from the cream of British comedy.
'She led the way for female comedy and we owe her enormous respect.'
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News Photo Dame June Whitfield’s Absolutely Fabulous co-stars join the actress’s family for her funeral
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