When was George Michael’s funeral, where is he buried, what was the cause of death and who attended?
AFTER weeks of delay, George Michael's funeral finally took place with a small, private ceremony in north London.
The service at Highgate Cemetery was attended by family and close friends, including the singer's boyfriend Fadi Fawaz. Here's what we know...
Was George Michael's funeral on March 29 and who attended?
Singing legend George Michael has finally been laid to rest in North London.
A service, attend by family and close friends, was held in the tiny, 30-seat chapel at Highgate West Cemetery on March 29.
The service took place amid tight security, with black tarpaulin covering the cemetery’s iron gates.
No hearse was spotted entering the grounds. It's thought that the singer's body arrived inside a private ambulance.
Following the service, guests attended a wake at George’s house in Hampstead, which is less than a mile from the cemetery.
Family in attendance included George’s 80-year-old feather Kyriacos and sisters Melanie and Panayiota.
Among the guests were former bandmates Andrew Ridgeley, Helen "Pepsi" DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman, as well as Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp.
Also in attendance was Fadi Fawaz, the singer's boyfriend, who was expected to be excluded from proceedings.
Another of George's lovers, his long-term partner Kenny Goss, joined the mourners at the intimate ceremony.
A statement from Michael's family read: "We can confirm that the funeral of the singer George Michael took place today. Family and close friends gathered for the small, private ceremony to say goodbye to their beloved son, brother and friend.
"George Michael's family would like to thank his fans across the world for their many messages of love and support. We ask that the family's wish for privacy be respected so that they can continue to live their lives privately, away from any media intrusion."
Where will George Michael's grave be?
It's been known for some time that George will be laid to rest next to his mother in family’s private plot in Highgate Cemetery.
The cemetery, a designated Grade I site on the Historic England Register of Parks, had been deluged with enquiries for several weeks.
A recorded telephone message from the cemetery said: "If you're phoning about George Michael, I'm sorry we haven't got any information for you."
The official website carries a similar message.
Was Fadi Fawaz banned from the funeral?
Speculation suggested that George's boyfriend Fadi Fawaz, who he met in 2009, would be banned from the funeral.
Michael's 'cousin' Andros Georgiou previously said: “Fadi has not been invited to the funeral. He is not welcome, the family hate him. Heaven help him if he turned up.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun at the beginning of March, boyfriend Fadi himself said: “I don’t know anything about the funeral. I really don’t know anything. Believe me. It’s all so strange."
However, the hairdresser was seen arriving at the cemetery on March 29, as other guests arrived.
What was the singer’s cause of death?
Despite initial unverified reports that George died of congestive heart failure, it was eventually revealed that the singer had heart and liver problems.
Senior coroner Darren Salter said the pop legend suffered from dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver, and that he died of natural causes.
The verdict was delayed until March 7 as the coroner awaited the results of toxicology tests - a wait which left funeral plans on hold.
An initial post-mortem, held in late December, had proved inconclusive.
What is dilated cardiomyopathy?
What is myocarditis?
Who will inherit George Michael’s fortune?
Prior to his tragic death, at the age of just 53, George is believed to have amassed a huge fortune worth a reported £105million.
He raked in huge sums over the years, with his accounts showing he earned more than £48million from touring between April 2006 and March 2008 alone.
And with no husband, children or any obvious heirs there has been some speculation over what will happen to his estate.
It has not yet been confirmed who will inherit the Wham! singer’s fortune, but there is a shortlist of his nearest and dearest who are expected to be remembered in his will.
