Joan Rivers' funeral was held this morning in Manhattan synagogue Temple Emanu-El, where mourners entered the service via a red carpet. The New York Times reports that the service was private, but many spectators and fans stood outside on Fifth Avenue opposite of Central Park in order to pay their respects to the television personality.

In her 2012 book "I Hate Everyone... Starting With Me," Rivers wrote that she wanted her funeral to be "a huge showbiz affair with lights, cameras, action... I don't want some rabbi rambling on; I want Meryl Streep crying, in five different accents," conveying both her good humor and the fact that she didn't want the occasion to be a somber affair.

It seems that her wishes came true. CNN reports that besides the red carpet entrance, the service was opened by the New York City Gay Men's Chorus, who sang show-tune hits such as "What a Wonderful World" and "Hey, Big Spender." It also drew in a large number of celebrities. Among them were a multitude of television personalities, entertainment stars, and journalists such as Donald Trump, Diane Sawyer, Barbara Walters, Howard Stern, Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O'Donnell, and Kelly Osbourne.

Outside spectators didn't hesitate to give tribute to Rivers, either. USA Today reports that in an interview with James Wheeler, a fashionable 30-year old, he said, "Keep it bright, keep it exciting, like she lived her life... I hope that she would like my outfit, it's a little non-traditional." Another spectator, Kolu Baysah, commented, "Like her, I don't believe in political correctness. Say what you have to say... I didn't really come to say goodbye. She didn't believe in goodbyes. I cam to say hello."

Rivers' daughter Melissa Rivers said of the occasion, "My mother's greatest joy in life was to make people laugh... Although that is difficult to do right now, I know that her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon."