Family and friends gather for Gordon Lightfoot’s private funeral in his hometown

Close friends and family of Gordon Lightfoot gathered for a small, private funeral in Orillia, Ontario on Monday. church where he was once a choirboy.

A group of about 50 gathered at St. Paul’s United Church for the nearly two-hour ceremony, which included a choral performance with organ accompaniment.

Under the nearly cloudless, sunny skies, the local community went about their day like any other: some doing yard work and a few curious onlookers strolling by the church to watch the goings-on.

A neighbor set up a lawn chair in front of his house to see if Canadian rock royalty like Joni Mitchell and Neil Young would drop by.

They didn’t seem to do that, however. Most of the visible mourners appeared to be Lightfoot’s extended family, bandmates, and others who had worked with him over the years.

After the ceremony was over, Lightfoot’s coffin was loaded into a hearse and left the church grounds while a small crowd gathered to watch the proceedings from across the street.

Lightfoot is to be buried with his parents in St Andrew’s and St James’ Cemetery.

A public tour was held at St. Paul’s United Church on Sunday, which the event’s security forces estimated was attended by more than 2,400 people.

Elsewhere, a book of condolences could also be signed at Toronto’s Massey Hall, a venue where Lightfoot has performed frequently throughout his career.