Inside Maggie Smith's 'beautiful' final goodbye at intimate funeral

Dame Maggie Smith was laid to rest in a 'poignant but not sad' funeral yesterday.

The intimate service, attended by family, friends and close colleagues, celebrated the life of the Oscar-winning actress who died in hospital in September after an incredible 70-year career which earned her international acclaim.

Her death sparked an outpouring of grief around the world, with many reminiscing on her roles as the quick-witted Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and the formidable Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey.

Born in Ilford, Essex, on December 28, 1934, Dame Maggie passed away peacefully in hospital aged 89 on September 27, with her sons revealing that she was 'with friends and family' until the end.

The late actress's inspirational life was celebrated at Mortlake Crematorium in Richmond, south-west London, where mourners 'belted out hymns' and listened to 'brilliant eulogies'.

Guests were invited to arrive at 4pm, where they were welcomed into a ceremony described by one attendee as 'beautiful, warm, and full of laughter'.

'Such a beautiful goodbye to Maggie Smith today,' one guest said. 'It was warm and funny and full of love and brilliant eulogies, with the best hymns bringing belted out by all. It was poignant but not sad because hers was a life so richly lived.

'I knew her because of Robert's [the guest's husband] decades of working with her but I adored her.

'Molly [their daughter] was traumatised when she first met her as she knew her as the terrifying housekeeper Mrs Medlock in The Secret Garden! Maggie was as funny and sharp as it gets. One of the greats.'

The order of service featured a poignant tribute to the late actress, with a childhood photo of Dame Maggie on the front and a later image of her smiling on the back. 

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Tributes pour in for Dame Maggie Smith after Oscar winner dies aged 89

Dame Maggie passed away at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, after a prolonged illness.

Although she was born in east London, Dame Maggie spent her final years in West Sussex.

Her funeral was held in a location that is the final resting place for several notable figures, including Margaret Thatcher, her husband Dennis and comedian Tommy Cooper.

Neither of the Oscar winner's ex-husbands are buried at Mortlake. 

Dame Maggie was celebrated as 'a true legend' of both stage and screen following her death.

At the time, her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens announced the news 'with great sadness' in a statement.

They paid tribute to their 'extraordinary' mother, an 'intensely private person' who was 'with friends and family at the end'.

Dame Maggie had five grandchildren.

Tributes poured in from across the country, with heartfelt messages from the King, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and many of her long-time co-stars.

Charles described her as 'a national treasure,' adding: 'My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of her passing. 

'As the curtain falls on this national treasure, we join people around the world in remembering with the fondest admiration and affection her many remarkable performances, as well as the warmth and wit she shared both on and off the stage.'

Meanwhile, Sir Keir called her 'beloved by so many for her extraordinary talent.'

Daniel Radcliffe, her Harry Potter co-star, fondly remembered her 'fierce intellect' and 'gloriously sharp tongue.'

Miriam Margolyes, another close friend and collaborator, called her 'the best of the best,' highlighting her unique blend of 'ferocity, a glint of mischief, delight and tenderness.'

Ms Margolyes told BBC News: 'I've been in awe of her, as have all her colleagues. I saw the kindness she had, but also how absolutely terrifying she could be when she wanted to be.'

Dame Maggie's career of more than half a century brought her recognition almost from the beginning, and she received an early Bafta nod for promising newcomer in 1959 for the crime film Nowhere To Go.

In 2010 she was central to the success of ITV series Downton Abbey, in her Emmy-award winning role as the acerbic Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, which she continued to play in the films.

The star was an internationally recognised actress for much of her life after playing the fanatical teacher Jean Brodie in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie.