Mon. Nov 25th, 2024
alert-–-a-tale-of-two-goodbyes:-nicole-kidman’s-mother-is-farewelled-in-an-intimate-service-at-the-same-church-as-her-father-antony’s-very-public-funeralAlert – A tale of two goodbyes: Nicole Kidman’s mother is farewelled in an intimate service at the same church as her father Antony’s very public funeral

Nicole Kidman looked sombre as she farewelled her mother Janelle in Sydney on Tuesday at the same church where her father Antony’s funeral was held.

The actress, 57, was supported by her husband Keith Urban and their daughters Sunday Rose, 16, and Faith Margaret, 14, during the emotional service.

Nicole was forced to leave Venice Film Festival last month just hours before her Best Actress win for her role in Babygirl after getting the news of her mother’s death at the age of 84. 

She said her final goodbye to her mother Janelle during a low-key service held at St Francis Xavier Church in Lavender Bay on Sydney’s North Shore.

Her younger sister Antonia, 54, was also in attendance and was supported by her husband Craig Morran during the intimate family service.

Antonia’s children Lucia, 26, Hamish, 23, and Sybella, 17 – who she shares with her late husband Angus Hawley – also flocked around to support their mother and their cousins, Nicole’s daughters Sunday and Faith.

Antonia also shares another son, James, with Angus – who died in April 2015 from a suspected heart attack – while she went on to welcome two more sons, Nicholas and Alexander, with her second husband Craig. 

During one emotional moment ahead of Janelle’s service, Sunday was seen wiping tears away from her eyes as she became overwhelmed with emotion.

A few close friends also attended – including Richard Wilkins, Peter Overton and his wife Jessica Rowe – but it was a relatively intimate family service.

Nicole Kidman looked sombre as she farewelled her mother Janelle in Sydney on Tuesday in an emotional service

Nicole Kidman looked sombre as she farewelled her mother Janelle in Sydney on Tuesday in an emotional service 

It was the same location where the Kidman family farewelled her father Antony back in 2014 (pictured) in a much more public ceremony which was attended by many high-profile guests

It was the same location where the Kidman family farewelled her father Antony back in 2014 (pictured) in a much more public ceremony which was attended by many high-profile guests 

At her mother Janelle's funeral on Tuesday, the actress, 57, was supported by her husband Keith Urban (both pictured) and their daughters Sunday Rose, 16, and Faith Margaret, 14

At her mother Janelle’s funeral on Tuesday, the actress, 57, was supported by her husband Keith Urban (both pictured) and their daughters Sunday Rose, 16, and Faith Margaret, 14

It was the same location where the Kidman family farewelled her father Antony back in 2014 in a much more public ceremony which was attended by many high profile guests.

Nicole was left devastated when Antony, a respected psychologist, died of a suspected heart attack in Singapore at the age of 75.

At her father’s funeral on September 19, 2014, Nicole paid tribute to Antony in a touching eulogy and sang a song with Keith as she said her final farewell to him.

The service was a larger affair than Janelle’s intimate, family funeral as many of the Kidman family’s famous friends attended, including Russell Crowe.

At the time, Nicole was seen crying as she held her daughter Sunday, then six, to her chest while pallbearers walked Antony’s coffin to the waiting hearse.

After laying the coffin down, Nicole was enveloped in an embrace by Keith, 56, who remained steadfastly by her side.

Nicole was seen arriving at the church holding hands with her doting husband Keith, 56, as he leant his support to her throughout the service

Nicole was seen arriving at the church holding hands with her doting husband Keith, 56, as he leant his support to her throughout the service

She said her final goodbye to her mother Janelle during a low-key service held at St Francis Xavier Church in Lavender Bay on Sydney's North Shore

She said her final goodbye to her mother Janelle during a low-key service held at St Francis Xavier Church in Lavender Bay on Sydney’s North Shore 

Her younger sister Antonia, 54, was also in attendance and was supported by her husband Craig Morran during the intimate family service

Her younger sister Antonia, 54, was also in attendance and was supported by her husband Craig Morran during the intimate family service 

An emotional Sunday was comforted by her cousins Lucia, 26, and Sybella, the daughters of Antonia and her late husband Angus Hawley

An emotional Sunday was comforted by her cousins Lucia, 26, and Sybella, the daughters of Antonia and her late husband Angus Hawley 

As churchgoers filtered out of the ceremony, Nicole held her daughters close to her knees and dabbed her eyes with a tissue.

The congregation looked on as the hearse drove away, with several of Antony’s grandchildren, including Antonia’s six children, waving at the departing vehicle.

The Carnival Is Over by the Seekers played out to the congregation, as two priests emerged from the church first.

They were closely followed by seven pallbearers carrying the coffin, which was lead by Keith and Antonia’s second husband Craig.

Channel Nine newsreader Peter Overton – who also attended Janelle’s funeral with his wife Jessica Rowe and daughter Allegra – also acted as a pallbearer.

Nicole delivered a heartfelt tribute to her beloved father during the church service before she and Keith performed an emotional acoustic version of Amazing Grace.

Nicole was left devastated when Antony, a respected psychologist, died of a suspected heart attack in Singapore in 2014 at the age of 75 (Nicole is pictured with her parents in 2003)

Nicole was left devastated when Antony, a respected psychologist, died of a suspected heart attack in Singapore in 2014 at the age of 75 (Nicole is pictured with her parents in 2003) 

At her father's public funeral, Nicole was seen crying as she held her daughter Sunday, then six, to her chest while pallbearers walked Antony's coffin to the waiting hearse

At her father’s public funeral, Nicole was seen crying as she held her daughter Sunday, then six, to her chest while pallbearers walked Antony’s coffin to the waiting hearse 

Along with Keith, Channel Nine newsreader Peter Overton - who also attended Janelle's funeral with his wife Jessica Rowe and daughter Allegra - also acted as a pallbearer

Along with Keith, Channel Nine newsreader Peter Overton – who also attended Janelle’s funeral with his wife Jessica Rowe and daughter Allegra – also acted as a pallbearer 

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Sunday Rose Kidman and her sister Faith are comforted at their grandmother Janelle's funeral

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Playing to a silent congregation, their voices rung out through the church as they harmonised.

While Keith played the guitar in accompaniment, Nicole whispered ‘thank you’ as the last chord was played.

In her eulogy, Nicole – who Antony affectionately called ‘Niccy’ – lovingly remembered his final visit to America to visit her three weeks ago, telling mourners she was so thankful he had came to see her.

‘I am so grateful he came to New York. And I’m so glad he ate all that pizza,’ she said, to laughter from the congregation, which was packed with family, friends, colleagues and luminaries including actor Russell, his ex-wife Danielle Spencer and businessman Dick Smith.

Antonia and her husband Craig also delivered words of remembrance while Antony’s beloved grandchildren said prayers. 

The congregation looked on as the hearse drove away, with several of Antony's grandchildren, including younger daughter Antonia's six children, waving at the departing vehicle

The congregation looked on as the hearse drove away, with several of Antony’s grandchildren, including younger daughter Antonia’s six children, waving at the departing vehicle

At her father's funeral on September 19, 2014, Nicole paid tribute to Antony in a touching eulogy and sang a song with Keith as she said her final farewell to him

At her father’s funeral on September 19, 2014, Nicole paid tribute to Antony in a touching eulogy and sang a song with Keith as she said her final farewell to him 

Wearing dark sunglasses, Nicole cried and held her eldest daughter Sunday, then six, to her chest as pallbearers walked Antony's coffin to the waiting hearse

Wearing dark sunglasses, Nicole cried and held her eldest daughter Sunday, then six, to her chest as pallbearers walked Antony’s coffin to the waiting hearse

Antony’s grief-stricken wife Janelle delivered an emotional and moving speech about her beloved husband, who she called her ‘soulmate’. 

Guests also watched a photo display of the doctor’s life to a soundtrack, including the songs Those Were the Days by Gene Raskin, Day Dream Believer by The Monkees, and Someone Who Will Watch Over Me by George Gerswhin.

The poem Farewell by Anne Bronte was also read out during the service while the hymn Morning is Broken was also heard by the congregation. 

The funeral finished with the congregation joining in the Lords Prayer and a moving harp solo was played as the attendees paid their respects. 

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