Film icon Elizabeth Taylor was laid to rest in the same celebrity cemetery as her long-time friend Michael Jacksonu00a0-- and demonstrated a keen sense of humour to the end. The legendary actress, who died Wednesday aged 79, was sent off with an hour-long private ceremony at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where generations of Hollywood stars are buried.

But her last wishes were respected, and announced after the service had finished. "The service was scheduled to begin at 2 pm, but at Taylor's request it started late," said a statement by her publicist. "Miss Taylor had left instructions that it was to begin at least 15 minutes later than publicly scheduled, with the announcement: 'She even wanted to be late for her own funeral," it added.