CRANBERRIES songs played quietly inside St. Joseph’s churck in Limerick, Ireland as mourners paid their respects to the band’s frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan, who died suddenly in her London hotel room Jan. 15 at the age of 46. It’s an honor typically reserved for dignitaries.
Her body was laid in repose for the four-hour public viewing at her hometown church, ahead of her funeral, which is scheduled for Tuesday. Her body had been released to her family earlier this week, following the completion of an autopsy. The results will not be publicly revealed until at least April 3, when the inquest will resume, according to the BBC, though the police noted they were not treating her death as suspicious.
“We come to offer a heartfelt greeting to a deeply loved and cherished daughter of Limerick. As we file past her coffin, let’s pray for her, her family and those she loved and helped in life,” Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy told the many mourners gathered at the church, according to Rolling Stone.
“I am conscious that, while millions across the world have been shocked by the sad news of her death, today is about Limerick’s public moment to bid farewell.”
Thousands of fans from around the world congregated outside the church and down the street, withstanding wind and rain to say their respects, while her bandmates placed a floral tribute next to her coffin. Many carried daffodils and other yellow flowers, which they said represented sunshine.
According to the Irish Times, local politicians, including former ministers for defense and education attended the viewing. O’Riordan’s mother, Eileen, and her six siblings accompanied her coffin into the church.
Etched into the coffin were the words, “The song has ended, but the memories linger on,” referencing one of their biggest hits. The religious O’Riordan wore black and held two pearl rosary beads. Her coffin was lined with pictures of her meeting Pope John Paul II, as well as photos of her performing onstage.
Following today’s viewing, her coffin will be moved to Cross’ Funeral Home in Ballyneety for another public viewing tomorrow. She’ll then be laid to rest Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at St Ailbes’ Church in Ballybricken.
The funeral service will be open to the public and broadcast on Irish radio, but the burial will be exclusive to family. She’ll be buried next to her father, Terry, who died in 2011.
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