Chris Cornell Laid to Rest Beside His Friend

Family and friends of Chris Cornell gathered at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles Friday to say goodbye to the rock icon. Rolling Stone reports that members of Metallica, the Foo Fighters, and Jane’s Addiction as well as musicians Pharrell Williams, Krist Novoselic, and Courtney Love paid their respects alongside actors Christian Bale, James Franco, and Brad Pitt. Bandmates from Soundgarden and Audioslave delivered eulogies during the private ceremony, which also included words from Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament and actor James Brolin. TMZ reports that Cornell’s final resting place is 12 feet away from the grave of his friend Johnny Ramone, lead guitarist of ‘70s punk outfit The Ramones, who Cornell once called "one of rock's most indestructible icons."

After the private ceremony, the site was opened for a public one for fans. Cornell’s death was determined to be a suicide after he was found dead in his hotel room on May 18 while on a Soundgarden reunion tour. A quote from the rocker was written on the memorial’s program: “We are neighbors in a modern world where proximity is relative and the threshold to our hearts moves outside time and space.” The ceremony began with recordings of Cornell’s music, starting with Audioslave’s Like a Stone and a newer solo song, The Promise. Chester Bennington of Linkin Park performed Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, and the ceremony ended with Temple of the Dog's All Night Thing. (His widow recounted his incoherent final phone call.)