Matthew Perry’s family and friends broke down in tears after an emotional Peter Gabriel song, which has long inspired those struggling with addiction, was played at the closing remarks at his funeral, which was also attended by his friends’ co-stars.
Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc all wore black suits and looked sombre as they prepared to say goodbye to Perry in a private ceremony at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles.
As the funeral came to an end, a rendition of Peter Gabriel’s Don’t Give Up was played, which included the lyrics: “No more fighting or so it seems, I’m a man whose dreams are all abandoned, I’ve changed mine.” “Face, I changed my name, but no one wants you if you lose.”
Perry, 54, who spoke openly about his lifelong battle with alcohol and drug addiction, was found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home last Saturday. People close to him said he was sober and doing well shortly before his death.
His tearful mother Suzanne Morrison, 84, and his Dateline journalist stepfather Keith, 76, were both present at the private event, as was his father John Perry, 82. Keith Morrison was one of the pallbearers.
Matthew Perry, 54, who spoke openly about his lifelong battle with alcohol and drug addiction, was found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home last Saturday
As the funeral came to an end, a rendition of Peter Gabriel’s “Don’t Give Up” was played (pictured: Gabriel with Kate Bush in the song’s music video)
Jennifer Aniston (left), Courteney Cox (second from left), David Schwimmer (center), Lisa Kudrow (second from right) and Matt LeBlanc (far right) are seen at Matthew Perry’s funeral on Friday
Perry’s cause of death is not yet known, but initial toxicology tests showed there was no meth or fentanyl in his system.
An audience member at the service said that by the end of the song “there wasn’t a dry eye in the eye.” They said, “There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.” There were lots of tears and laughter. Only close friends and family spoke.’
Heartbreakingly, the song also contains the lyrics: “Don’t give up, ’cause you’ve got friends, don’t give up, you’re not the only one, don’t give up, no need to be ashamed, don’t give up, you still have us.” ‘
The song, written by former Genesis singer Gabriel, also features British singer Kate Bush.
It was written in the 1980s under the direction of Margaret Thatcher and released as a single in 1986, shortly after the miners’ strike of 1984/85.
Gabriel initially approached US singer Dolly Parton, but said she declined the offer.
“I’m glad she did it because what Kate did with it is…brilliant,” he told The Quietus in 2011.
In 2014, Sir Elton John revealed that the song “saved my life” and helped him on the road to sobriety.
He said, “This record saved my life.” This record helped me get sober.
Jennifer Aniston (back), Courteney Cox and David Schwimmer (center), and Lisa Kudrow (front) are seen at Forest Lawn Church of the Hills in Los Angeles on Friday
Perry’s gray-haired stepfather, Keith Morrison, served as a pallbearer
Friends and family of Matthew Perry arrive at the funeral on Friday
Perry’s casket will be carried into the church on Friday
Matthew Perry’s mother Suzanne and stepfather Keith Morrison are seen Friday morning
Heartfelt: Tributes have been left outside Matthew Perry’s home in Los Angeles, including Friends memorabilia
Tributes poured in for Friends star Matthew Perry after he was found dead on Saturday
“So her [Bush] played a big role in my rebirth. This record helped me a lot. I never told her that, but it did.’
He added that he was particularly inspired by the lyrics: “Rest your head.” You worry too much. Everything will be fine. When times get difficult, you can rely on us. Do not give up.’
The song peaked at number nine on the UK charts in 1986, but peaked at number four in Ireland and the Netherlands.
After the song was played at Perry’s funeral, he was buried in a dark wooden coffin in a family-only ceremony.
On Monday, the Friends cast released a statement describing their shock and sadness.
“We are all deeply devastated by the loss of Matthew.” We were more than just cast mates. “We are a family,” the cast said.
“There is so much to say, but for now we will take a moment to grieve and process this incredible loss.”
“Over time we will say more as we are able. For now, our thoughts and love are with Matty’s family, his friends and everyone who loved him around the world.”
After an initial investigation, the Los Angeles County coroner has deferred a cause of death, which could take weeks to determine.
Initial toxicology tests found no fentanyl or meth in Perry’s system, but more detailed testing is underway. When police searched Perry’s home (pictured), they found prescription medications that were properly labeled and stored
Perry wrote in his memoirs that he spent $9 million to get sober
Perry wrote at the beginning of his million-selling memoir: “Hello, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name.” My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.’
On Sunday, Perry’s book debuted at No. 1 on Amazon, replacing Britney Spears’ memoir.
When he filmed the hit sitcom Friends in the ’90s, many people were unaware that Perry struggled with addiction and had a strong desire to please audiences.
“Friends” was huge. I couldn’t jeopardize that. I loved the script. I loved my co-actors. I loved the scripts. “I loved everything about the show, but I struggled with addiction, which only increased my feelings of shame,” he wrote in his memoir.
“I had a secret and no one could know.”
“I felt like I would die if the live audience didn’t laugh, and that’s certainly not healthy. “But sometimes I could say a line and the audience wouldn’t laugh and I would sweat and sometimes get cramps.”
Perry wrote, “If I didn’t get the laugh I was supposed to, I would freak out.” I felt that every night. This pressure put me in a bad position. I also knew of the six people doing this show, only one of them was sick.’
Elton John credited the same song with saving his life and helping him on the road to sobriety
A picture of Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush together in 1987, a year after the single’s release
A member of Perry’s recovery program told in an exclusive interview on Tuesday: “Matty didn’t drink.” He was a big part of our AA community. He attended meetings, spoke at meetings and worked with a handful of newcomers.
“He had a sponsor and was a sponsor. “He seemed to be doing well.”
The insider said the actor has been focused on helping others battling addiction and has recently expressed interest in sharing his story at public speaking engagements.
“Matty said he wanted to return to universities and talk about alcoholism. That was his gift. “He was so good at speaking and motivating people,” the source added.
“It was important to him to reach out to the younger generation and spread his message of ‘Don’t Give Up’. He really lived by those words.’
Don’t Give Up by Peter Gabriel: The full text
We grew up strong in this proud country
We were wanted all the time
I was taught to fight, I was taught to win
I never thought I could fail
It seems there is no fight left
I am a man whose dreams have all been abandoned
I changed my face, I changed my name
But no one wants you if you lose
Do not give up
Because you have friends
Do not give up
You are not defeated yet
Do not give up
I know you can do it well
Even though I’ve seen it everywhere
I never thought I could be affected
I thought we were the last to leave
It’s so strange how things turn out
Drove to my house that night
The place where I was born, on the lakeshore
When it became light, I saw the earth
The trees had burned to the ground
Do not give up
You still have us
Do not give up
We don’t need much of anything
Do not give up
Because there is a place somewhere
Where we belong
Rest your head
You worry too much
Everything will be fine
When times get tough
You can rely on us
Do not give up
Please don’t give up
I’ve got to get out of here
I can not stand it anymore
I will stand on this bridge
Keep my eyes down
Whatever may come
And whatever works
The river flows
The river flows
Moved on to another city
I tried very hard to calm down
So many men for every job
Nobody needs that many men
Do not give up
Because you have friends
Do not give up
You are not the only one
Do not give up
No reason to be ashamed
Do not give up
You still have us
Don’t give up now
We are proud of who you are
Do not give up
You know it’s never been easy
Do not give up
Because I believe there is a place
There is a place where we belong