A second private service for late pop diva Coco Lee was held on Tuesday morning, with family and friends in Hong Kong paying their final respects before cremation.
The funeral at a parlour in North Point followed an emotional vigil the day before as those close to Lee gathered to remember the trail-blazing singer, before the venue was opened for more than 1,000 fans.
After Tuesday’s service, Lee’s body will be taken from the Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point to be cremated at the Cape Collinson Crematorium in Chai Wan.
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Her family had previously announced that eight people would serve as pallbearers, including her brother-in-law Billy Ho, singer Jenny Tseng, two close friends, co-president of Warner Music Asia Jonathan Serbin and one of Lee’s fans, Yang Yang.
Lee died in early July after a suicide attempt, according to her family. They said she had been diagnosed with depression a few years ago, but her condition deteriorated.
‘Gone too soon’: family, friends and fans gather to remember pop diva Coco Lee
Here are the live updates from Tuesday’s procession:
Police clear roadblocks, fans emotional
Police have removed barriers and red tape, marking the end of an emotional two days in Hong Kong for Coco Lee supporters.
One of the distraught fans was Coco Li Dan, who named herself in English after the star. Li was crying across the road from the funeral home as the hearse left.
“She was such an inspiration to me,” the 46-year-old social media manager said.
Li had travelled to Hong Kong as a member of the Coconuts group from Guangzhou.
One fan, who was allowed into the service, was also seen crying outside of the home after the funeral ended.
“She was such a kind, honest and open person, with a beautiful smile.
“Why did this have to happen?”
Final journey
A black funeral hearse has left the venue, amid cheers of support from hundreds of fans gathered across the road.
The vehicle’s departure marked the final leg of a two-day funeral service for Coco Lee.
Friends and family who attended the service also boarded a coach to Cape Collinson Crematorium, the final stop of the procession.
Lee’s family leaves service
Lee’s sisters, Nancy and Carol, as well as the eight pallbearers have left the service.
Most had tears in their eyes while Nancy and Carol held a picture of the late pop star in a white frame.
Before they walked towards a coach parked outside the funeral home, the sisters became very emotional while engaged in conversation with Jenny Tseng and Taiwanese lyricist and talent scout Yao Chien.
Tseng, Yao and the two sisters spoke for five minutes. At one point, both sisters were seen sobbing heavily and had to be consoled by the two pallbearers.
Fans in tears
The 200 Coco Lee fans who were permitted to enter the service have left.
They are all members of fan group Coconuts, most of whom came from mainland China just for the funeral.
The group comprised men, women and young children, with most in tears as they departed from the venue.
Lee’s coffin readied for final journey
Sobs were heard as Lee’s coffin was positioned for the pallbearers to take their spots. Lee’s sister, holding a portrait of the star, was stationed behind the group. Singer Jenny Tseng and Lee’s brother-in-law Billy Ho held the front of the coffin, as the group began their solemn march.
The funeral came to a close as attendees left the venue.
Before the final journey to the crematorium, Lee’s immediate family is expected to come to the entrance of the funeral home, pausing briefly before walking down the steps and turning to the car park where they will join a procession.
Funeral begins
The service began at 10.20 am, opening with three immediate family members of Lee bowing in front of her coffin.
The host then invited all those in attendance to lower their heads in a moment of silence.
The eight pallbearers were also invited to bow to the coffin.
High-profile guest?
A large police presence has built up near the funeral home entrance and car park, sparking rumours that a high-profile guest will arrive.
Organisers said they did not know if Lee’s estranged husband Bruce Rockowitz would attend the service.
Pallbearers given purple boutonnières
The pallbearers have been given purple boutonnières and white gloves. According to an updated list provided by the family, there will be eight pallbearers for the funeral. They include her brother-in-law Billy Ho, singer Jenny Tseng, two close friends, co-president of Warner Music Asia Jonathan Serbin and one of Lee’s fans, Yang Yang.
Service to start at 10.30am
One of the funeral organisers told the Post the service would officially begin at 10.30am and last between 15 and 30 minutes.
She also said Lee’s estranged husband Rockowitz would be in attendance.
Once the service ends, Lee’s immediate family will face the media for pictures at the home’s entrance.
The hearse will then leave the venue and make its final journey to Cape Collinson Crematorium.
No sign of Bruce Rockowitz
Some VIPs, friends and family members who were in attendance on Monday returned for the second service.
Singer Mike Tsang Pei-tak was among showbiz mourners who turned up, taking time to pose for pictures before going into the venue.
There was no sign of Lee’s estranged husband Bruce Rockowitz.
Tributes from across the industry
Livestream shots of wreaths delivered for Lee’s funeral include several big names in the local and international entertainment industry such as Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh, martial arts legend Jackie Chan, as well as Cantopop legends Andy Andy Lau Tak-wah and Hacken Lee Hak-kan.
Past 10am, singer Jenny Tseng, named by the Lee family as one of the pallbearers, arrived at the funeral home, accompanied by two bodyguards as she exited her vehicle.
Private service starting
Amid the sombre atmosphere, friends and family of Lee bowed three times before the star’s coffin.
The seats inside the grand hall of the funeral home are almost full, save for a few frontrow spots.
Friends and family arriving
Friends and family of the late pop star arrived at 9.30am for the ceremony.
There has been no sign of Lee’s estranged husband or high-profile guests, who could have entered via the underground car park.
It also appears that the 200 fans who were allowed in earlier will stay inside for the service.
Numbers considerably smaller
The 200 fans at the private viewing formed most of Lee’s supporters at the funeral home on Tuesday morning.
Fewer than 100 other fans not permitted inside gathered across the road from the entrance of the home.
On Monday, about 1,400 fans went inside to pay their respects to Lee.
A fan from Taiwan, who did not provide his name, told the Post it was his first time in Hong Kong and he did not think it was fair that only members of the group could go in.
“I did not want to come as part of a group and I don’t think I should be treated differently for doing so.”
Some super fans allowed private viewing
About 200 members of the super fan group Coconuts were given a private opportunity to say goodbye to Lee.
One of the organisers told the Post they allowed members to register for the private viewing beforehand.
The fans will go inside, bow three times to the coffin and pay their respects before leaving.
The Post learned the fan group had been in touch with Lee’s family for the special arrangement before the funeral.
Hong Kong pop diva Coco Lee’s family announces pallbearers, husband is not one
Fans gather early
Lee’s fans have been gathering outside the funeral home since about 8am.
Despite not being allowed inside, they came early to send off the hearse, which is expected to set off for Cape Collinson Crematorium at 10.30am.
Teacher Li Liming, 47, from Maoming, Guangdong province attended the service on Monday and was back for another round.
“We will just wait at the entrance and say our last farewell,” Li, who travelled with a group of mainland fans called Coconuts, said.
If you have suicidal thoughts or know someone who is experiencing them, help is available. In Hong Kong, dial +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services. In the US, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or +1 800 273 8255. For a list of other nations’ helplines, see this page.
More from South China Morning Post:
- Hong Kong bids farewell to trailblazing Chinese singer Coco Lee, remembered as kind, loyal and gracious
- A farewell to a ‘pop diva of a generation’: fans buy bus stop ads as tribute to late Hong Kong singer Coco Lee
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