More than a month after singer Bonnie Tyler died unexpectedly at the age of 75, she has finally been laid to rest.
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On Monday, August 17, her coffin made its way through the streets of her hometown of Swansea, Wales. Fans lined the streets as the funeral procession traveled to Swansea Minster church, according to USA Today.
Only family and close friends were allowed inside of the church. But members of the public were allowed to gather in St. David’s Square to watch the service on giant screens.
The white coffin, which was covered in white roses, was taken into the church while shouts of “God bless you Bonnie,” and “bye Bonnie” made their way through the quiet, The Guardian reported. Suddenly, there was a burst of applause.
Her songs “If I Sing You a Love Song” and “It’s a Heartache” played before the service began.
Tyler, who was born Gaynor Hopkins, still lived in Wales with her husband of 53 years, Robert Sullivan. Because of this, many of the mourners who showed up had a personal connection to the singer.
“We went to a few parties at the Mumbles house, they were wonderful. There was karaoke, performances,” Allyson Thomas, whose partner played in a band with Tyler’s brother, told The Guardian. “As we got in the taxi home, Bonnie handed us some champagne for the journey home. She was really special, she was so down to earth and a star at the same time.”
“She never forgot where she came from and she was proud of where she’s from,” Bill Cash, who had met Tyler several times while out shopping said.
Mourner Sandra Bartlett, was casually friendly with Tyler and her husband. “I think it says a lot about her that she came home to Skewen,” she said of Tyler. “It’s not like she was from a big place like London or something. Now Bobby’s brought her home for the last time.”
Bonnie Tyler, best known for the 1983 hit “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” died in July after being hospitalized for an illness while in Portugal.