Jim Henson's admirers gave him the whimsical, colorful send-off he wanted, complete with songs, dance and, of course, the Muppets.
"We had such great silly fun together," said Frank Oz, who played Bert to Henson's Ernie, and Miss Piggy to his Kermit the Frog. "The best thing is when you watched Jim laugh until he cried."Thousands took part in the tribute to the master puppeteer Monday at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Henson died Wednesday of pneumonia at 53.
The happy songs, happy words and a Dixieland band were in accordance with wishes Henson expressed in letters to his family, written four years ago and opened after his death. Henson had asked that mourners not wear black.
The funeral service program contained a quote from Henson: "Please watch out for each other and love and forgive everybody. It's a good life, enjoy it.'
The 5,000-seat cathedral was lined with colorful floral arrangements, some with animal figures in them. At the entrance was a gallery of photos with Henson, his family and "Sesame Street" characters.
"There is no question about Jim Henson's great artistry and the extent to which we have all been touched by it," Harry Belafonte said. "Greater than his artistry was his humanity."
Mourners fluttered colorful butterflies atop metal stems as Belafonte and three back-up singers sang "Turn the World Around," a song he wrote and Henson used.
Big Bird, a character played by Caroll Spinney, sang, "It's Not Easy Being Green," a number usually done by Kermit. Afterward, Big Bird looked heavenward, said, "Thank you, Kermit," then slowly walked away, head hung low.