Bernie Mac Funeral Draws Thousands of Mourners and Peers

Bernie Mac's all too short career touched many fans and peers, as did his death at age 50 on August 9. The love that they had for Bernie Mac showed at his funeral on Saturday, August 16. The Bernie Mac funeral took place in his home of Chicago, at the House of Hope church. At the funeral, many of Bernie Mac's old partners, fans and peers came by in person to show their respect, or sent well wishes to the funeral. Pictures of the Bernie Mac funeral caught many close friends and well known entertainers paying their last respects.

Bernie Mac was first best known for being in "The Original Kings of Comedy" group of Mac, Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey and D.L Hughley. It was Cedric, Harvey and Hughley who began the funeral service as the first speakers, as Cedric led off with a mixture of solemn remarks and the occasional one-liner.

The Bernie Mac funeral had additional high profile guests like Samuel L. Jackson, Mac's co-star in the upcoming Soul Men, and Oceans co-star Don Cheadle. Chris Rock, comedy writer Ali LeRoi, Mayor Richard Daly and Reverend Jesse Jackson were also in attendance.

Though they were not at the Bernie Mac funeral themselves, additional well wishers like Oprah, Senator Barack Obama, Congresswoman Maxine Walters and Andy Garcia sent statements that were read aloud during the proceedings.

The service began around noon, though some Mac fans and well wishers were camped out in front of the church at 7:45 a.m. Hundreds waited in line to get inside all throughout the morning. More than 6,000 people eventually made it to the funeral.

The funeral also was filled with musical tributes, including one by Mac's favorite singer Rachelle Ferrell. The death of Isaac Hayes, who had a cameo in Soul Men and died the day after Mac, was also acknowledged.

Finally, the eulogy was delivered by Reverend Trunell Felder, of the New Faith Baptist Church International, as he remarked that Mac was a "gladiator of gladness." The service ended at around 4 p.m

Donations to the Mac family and for a cure to sarcoidosis, the disease which Mac had suffered from for several years, can still be made at http://www.berniemacfoundation.org

Sources

Chicago Tribune- "Story and photos from Bernie Mac's Chicago funeral" www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-bernie-mac-funeral-080817-ht,0,169178.story

MTV UK- "Stars Turn Out For Bernie Mac Funeral" www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-bernie-mac-funeral-080817-ht,0,169178.story