Stars, fans and friends pay final respects to Amy Winehouse

Hundreds of people paid their last respects to the troubled singer at the Edgwarebury Cemetery in north London ahead of a private service.

Her father’s eulogy ended with the words “Goodnight, my angel, sleep tight. Mummy and Daddy love you ever so much.”

The service, which included prayers in English and Hebrew as well as Mr Winehouse’s eulogy, ended with a rendition of the Carole King song So Far Away.

A spokesman for the family said: “Mitch was funny, he told some great stories from childhood about how headstrong she was, and clearly the family and friends recognised the stories and laughed along.

“He stressed so many times she was happier now than she had ever been and he spoke about her boyfriend and paid tribute to a lot of people in her life.”

Among the guests at the service were stylist Alex Foden, who has been credited with creating Winehouse’s trademark beehive hairdo, producer Mark Ronson and singer Kelly Osbourne.

After the service, which was led by Rabbi Frank Hellner, Winehouse’s body was taken to Golders Green Crematorium, where her grandmother was cremated.

The family will hold a two-day Shiva - a traditional period of mourning in the Jewish faith - after the service.

Alfie Ezekiel, a friend of her father, said: “Mitch gave a very good eulogy and he managed to get through it very well, considering.

“He said everything. I don’t want to go into detail but his last words were ‘Goodnight, my sweetheart’.”

He said the service - during which Mr Winehouse was the only family member to speak - was “joyful” and “celebrated” the 27-year-old singer’s life.

“It was very moving,” he added.

The 55-year-old, from Loughton, Essex, who works in the textile industry, said between 300 and 400 mourners attended the service.

Guests left clutching pictures of the star.

Winehouse’s bandmates, Zalon and Heshima Thompson, were among the select group included in the service at the private ceremony which, according to Jewish law, had to take place as soon as possible after the star’s death.

Some fans waited outside in tribute to the 27-year-old, who was found dead at her home in Camden, north London, on Saturday.

It comes after police revealed they will have to wait up to four weeks for the results of toxicology tests to establish her cause of death.

A post-mortem examination carried out yesterday was inconclusive.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned until October 26, but no cause of death has been given.

Winehouse battled drink and drug problems throughout her career and news of her death was quickly followed by suggestions it could be related to one or the other.

The troubled artist had cancelled all tour dates and engagements last month after a series of erratic public appearances. She was booed at a shambolic performance in Serbia.

Some guests appeared to be fighting back tears as they walked away from the service hand in hand, or with their heads bowed.

One mourner, who did not want to give her name, said the ceremony had been “wonderful” but was unable to say more.

Describing Mr Winehouse’s eulogy, another added: “It was emotional.

“He said that she would be carried in his heart.

“They were in contact three times a day, always, wherever she was.

“It’s a complex situation but he is supported by his community.

“It’s this extraordinary diaspora of people from north London who all knew Amy from when she was born.”

And he said music would help the family through the “difficult times”.

Winehouse’s closest relatives and friends began arriving at Golders Green crematorium after 2pm.

Her father Mitch, mother Janis and brother Alex were among the first to arrive, and were joined by Winehouse’s boyfriend Reg Traviss.

Friends present included Kelly Osbourne, who was dressed in black and wore her hair in a beehive do reminiscent of Winehouse’s own distinctive style.

Music producer and friend Mark Ronson was among the last to arrive.

As the mourners gathered there was no sign of Winehouse’s body arriving from outside the crematorium.

There were unconfirmed reports that a private ambulance had brought the body in from another entrance.

Mitch Winehouse led mourners into the crematorium’s West Chapel at 2.45pm.

Fans and onlookers joined the large media pack outside, slowing down traffic.

Among them was Shelley Rotbart, of Golders Green, who explained that the crematorium was well known for its celebrity connections.

Mrs Rotbart, 46, said: “Marc Bolan of T-Rex, Keith Moon the drummer for The Who and Peter Sellers were all brought here when they died.

“Further back Vivien Leigh and Sigmund Freud were brought here.”

Asked whether Winehouse was a symbol for the large local Jewish community in the Golders Green area, she said: “She didn’t really put it out there that she was Jewish.

“She did what she wanted, and her poor dad did as much as he could to get her on the straight and narrow.”