Matthew Perry’s funeral song was special to him (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Matthew Perry’s funeral, which was attended by his Friends co-stars, used a special song which had a poignant meaning.
Don’t Give Up by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush was a song that Perry held in high regard, and revealed his connection to it one year before his death, while discussing his memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, which detailed his struggles with addiction.
Matthew was asked what would be the soundtrack to the pages in a resurfaced interview.
The Chandler Bing actor responded with the 1986 song, which was written by the lead singer of Genesis.
‘It’s just beautiful. I don’t know if you’ve heard it as this was a long time ago but it’s beautiful and it’s saying don’t give up. I mean come, how am I not gonna like that?
‘The music video of that was just them hugging each other and the camera just went around until the song was over.’
The lyrics struck such a chord with Perry that he would write the title of the hit when signing his book.
‘It was so cool and I love that. I’ve been writing it when I sign the book. I always put “Don’t give up” because you shouldn’t give up,’ he shared with interviewer Tom Power.
Perry had a special connection to the song (Picture: Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag)
The song includes: ‘Don’t give up ’cause you have friends, don’t give up, you’re not beaten yet, don’t give up, I know you can make it good,’ and was played at the end of the funeral.
His family and friends were left in tears by the emotional song, reports the Daily Mail.
Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, and Matt LeBlanc all attended the private ceremony held at Forest Lawn cemetery in Los Angeles on November 2, six days after Perry’s death.
His father, John Bennett Perry, stepfather, Keith Morrison, and his mother, Suzanne Perry were all in attendance too.
The Friends cast all attended the private funeral (Picture: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
The actor’s death shocked the world when he was found at his home, aged 54.
Perry is thought to have drowned in his jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home on October 28. However, the initial results of his autopsy were ‘inconclusive’, and so the official conclusion regarding his cause of death – including the toxicology report – may not be determined for weeks.
Perry is being honoured in a beautiful way (Picture: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Perry’s loved ones have now chosen to honour him in a beautiful way.
Perry was very open about his substance abuse issues, spending $9million on his efforts to get sober and going into rehab 15 times.
He spoke about his experiences publicly in a bid to help others, and now his lasting legacy will be The Matthew Perry Foundation.
A statement posted on the new charity’s website said today: ‘The Matthew Perry Foundation is the realisation of [his] enduring commitment to helping others struggling with the disease of addiction.’
The statement continued: ‘It will honour his legacy and be guided by his own words and experiences and driven by his passion for making a difference in as many lives as possible.’
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It has a poignant meaning.