Elizabeth Taylor late for her own funeral

Elizabeth Taylor late for her own funeral - True to the sense of humor and flair that defined her life, Elizabeth Taylor knew exactly how she wanted her final starring role to play out.

Her publicist tells Lifeline Live in a statement that Taylor wanted to be late for her own funeral:

The service was scheduled to begin at 2 pm but at Miss Taylor's request started late. Miss Taylor had left instructions that it was to begin at least 15 minutes later than publicly scheduled, with the announcement, "She even wanted to be late for her own funeral."

Family members leave the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California after the funeral of screen legend Elizabeth Taylor, March 24, 2011.

The multi-denominational service, officiated by Rabbi Jerry Cutler at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, Calif., lasted about an hour. Taylor, who died Wednesday at age 79, was laid to rest in the Great Mausoleum, beneath a soaring marble Michelangelo angel with family and close friends in attendance. Taylor is not right next to Michael Jackson, but near him.

The casket was closed and draped with a blanket of abundant, fragrant gardenias, violets, and lily of the valley.

This Feb. 16, 1997 file photo shows Elizabeth Taylor arriving with Michael Jackson at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles for her birthday celebration.

The ceremony included poetry readings that began with close friend Colin Farrell reciting Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo, immediately followed with other selections by Miss Taylor's son Michael Wilding, her grandson Tarquin Wilding, and her daughter Liza Burton Tivey. Grandson Rhys Tivey performed a moving trumpet solo of Amazing Grace.

Taylor's publicist said any details of a memorial service would likely be announced at a later date.

In New York tonight, marquees of Broadway theatres will be dimmed in her memory at exactly 8:00 p.m. for one minute. ( usatoday.com )