A memorial service for the singer Marianne Faithfull was held at St Mary’s Church in Aldworth, the Berkshire village where Marianne’s late mother, Baroness Erisso, lived.
Marianne was buried immediately afterwards, next to her mother, in the churchyard.
Ringo Starr, Bob Geldof and Kate Moss attended. Keith Richards and Marianne Faithfull’s ex-boyfriend Mick Jagger sent flowers.
The service was conducted by the Rev Grant Fensome, the Church of England vicar, assisted by Father Tom Montgomery, a Catholic priest who often visited Marianne in her last years. She was brought up as a Catholic.
A musical tribute was played by rock singer Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, Ed Harcourt and Rob McVey.
The organist was Richard Ingrams, former editor of Private Eye and founding father of The Oldie, who has lived in Aldworth for many years and often plays the organ in the church. Richard Ingrams played ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Abide with Me’.
Father Tom Montgomery gave the address. Marianne’s son, Nicholas Dunbar, gave the eulogy. Marianne’s granddaughter, Eliza Dunbar, sang Handel’s ‘He Shall Feed His Flock’.
The congregation heard recordings by Marianne Faithfull of ‘The Gypsy Faerie Queen’ and ‘She Moved Through the Fair’. Oscar Dunbar, her grandson, performed ‘Love Is’, composed by him and his grandmother.
Father Tom Montgomery read Matthew 11:25-30, ‘Come to me, all who labour and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.’ The congregation said the Lord’s Prayer. JAMES HUGHES-ONSLOW
