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Jade's family plan final farewell
Updated 09:20am on 23 Mar 2009The family of TV reality star Jade Goody is facing the task of finalising her funeral plans.
The 27-year-old died with her mother Jackiey Budden and husband Jack Tweed at her side at her home in Upshire, Essex, in the early hours of Mother's Day.
"At peace": Jade Goody
Before her death she had been planning a service that publicist and friend Max Clifford described as "A Jade Goody Production".
He said: "Jade wanted a celebration of her life. It will be very much a Jade Goody Production with Jade doing her own thing her own way."
Mr Clifford said that Goody had originally gave the job of planning the funeral to one of her bridesmaids.
"But within a minute she was saying she didn't want that and she did want this and how she wanted it to be."
"It will be a celebration, but of course there will be a lot of tears."
Goody chose Bermondsey undertakers, FA Albin and Sons and wanted to have the service at her local church, St John the Baptist in Buckhurst Hill.
The service will be an "open" affair said friend and photographer Danny Hayward with opportunities for fans to pay their respects.
It is hoped that the funeral cortege will pass through nearby Loughton after the service so that local people can see it.
In the coming days Goody's mother will have to choose the music and readings as well as a burial site for her daughter.
Yesterday she appealed for privacy for the grieving family. "My beautiful daughter is at peace. Family and friends would like privacy at last," she said to reporters outside Goody's home. Asked by well-wishers how she was coping, she replied: "I'm not."
The father of Goody's two sons, Freddie and Bobby, TV presenter Jeff Brazier, said yesterday that he was "devastated" by her death.
But he added: "I'm grateful the boys were able to say their goodbyes and spend that precious time with their wonderful mother.
"Bobby and Freddie are my absolute priority and I will be doing everything I can to be their rock and to give them all my love and support to get them through a confusing and upsetting time."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "I was deeply saddened to hear the news of Jade Goody's death.
"She was a courageous woman both in life and death and the whole country have admired her determination to provide a bright future for her children.
"She will be remembered fondly by all who knew her and her family can be extremely proud of the work she has done to raise awareness of cervical cancer which will benefit thousands of women across the UK."
Reader views (9)
Jade Goody has not done anything remarkable other than eek out the standard fifteen minutes of fame after appearing on BB3 to last 7 years.
What is also surprising me is the hypocrisy of the tabloid press with the pages of coverage praising Jade's courage - these are the same tabloids (and possibly same reporters) that were slating her appearance on BB3 and running camnpaigns to get her out. Anyone else remember the picture of her yawning alongside a picture of a hippo?
I am not anti Jade Goody - she has proved to be a source of entertainment over the years - much of it unintentional on her part which has probably endeared her to the viewing public. All that is needed is a sense of perspective on what is a sad situation for the immediate family and friends.
- El, London, UK, 25/03/2009 08:54
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Ok EL, why come on and read about her no one is asking you to be a "fan" or anything.....
No she highlighted the importance of going for a smear test she never highlighted what a smear test is and why women get them. As a lot of women will agree its one of these things you put to the bottom of the "to do list"
We are simply paying our respects to Jade not outpouring irrational grief. What i dont understand is that if you have no time for her and dont like her why spend time writing on here?
- Nicole, Scotland, 24/03/2009 15:21
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Nicole - I am sure nobody misses the point that 2 young boys have lost a mother, a husband lost a wife, a mother has lost a child, but the outpouring of grief is irrational.
If women have decided that they should have a smear test because of Jade Goody, then this is surely a poor indictment on them, as it suggests they had never heard of smear tests or understand why they are needed.
- El, London, UK, 24/03/2009 13:52
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There is a family grieving for there loss at the moment if you didnt like her then why come an read about her...
Jade has done a remarkable thing for many women and she will always be remembered for excactly that...be proud of what jades done you will be sadly missed, do it jade style and celebrate her life...
Goodbye Jade x x x
- Nicole Lennan, Scotland, 24/03/2009 09:52
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Absolutely right, Lorraine from London. The amount of attention that this issue has received is utterly ridiculous and disproportionate to its importance. It's clearly significant and heart-breaking for her family and those who actually KNOW her, but it's not (or shouldn't be) the same for those who don't. And I don't say that just because it's her, I felt the same about Natasha Richardson's death and indeed the death of "Saint" Diana. A little perspective would be most refreshing.
- Helen, London, UK, 24/03/2009 08:49
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Lorraine - I am glad someone else is of the same opinion regarding Jade Goody. I am still at a loss to understand what she did that enabled her to have a fan base? Other than appear on reality programmes and appear in OK, what did she achieve?
- El, London, UK, 24/03/2009 08:44
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Oh for goodness sake she wasn't amazing at all. She was someone from a reality tv programme who got lucky - simples! She was kept in the public eye because of people like you both having an interest in a nonentity. Her 15 minutes of fame shoud have been over 7 years ago but she clung on for as long as possible - up to her last dying breath. Yes its very sad about her illness and her untimely death but please painting her as some kind of saint. She wasn't.
- Lorraine, London, 23/03/2009 16:24
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Jade Goody was such a wonderful and meaningful person in today's society. She showed us all what we can acheive if we are prepared to seize the opportunties available and how we should all strive to live our lives.
I think this nation owes a debt of gratitute to Jade and all of the Goody's and think that we should have a permanent memorial to her in this country. It would be a great and fitting tribute to change her home region from East Anglia to East Angular. That way we can all remember just how much she meant to us.
- Tsk, Peterborough, UK, 23/03/2009 14:15
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jade goody was an such amazing young lady who has one too soon. i'm sure lots of people feel the same. she had acheived in her short life of fame a hell of a lot more than most. i hope she can rest in peace. the legacey she has left behind will always live on in her beauiful memory. i have meetjade and she was a truely delight to meet and talk to and her children will grow up so proud of their mum and her family will be very proud of her. she was a lovely lady and will be so sadly missed for many a year to come. thankyou jade for your honesty and the laughter you gave us through out the 6 yrs of your fame. rest in peace queen of reality.xxxxx
- Amanda O'Donnell, manchester,lancs, 23/03/2009 12:51
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