Chris Higgins
Monty Python: Hilarious & Touching Clips from Graham Chapman’s Funeral
by Chris Higgins - November 10, 2009 - 1:21 PM

On October 4, 1989, founding Monty Python member Graham Chapman, star of both Holy Grail and Life of Brian, died from cancer. At his memorial service, the remaining Pythons eulogized Chapman in truly appropriate style — by cursing, joking around, but in the end, expressing love for their lost peer.

In this clip, watch John Cleese deliver a beautiful eulogy (including some rather tasteful swearing — “anything for [Graham] but mindless good taste”), then Eric Idle leading the whole crew in the song from the end of Life of Brian, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” Not a dry eye in the house.

See also: Graham Chapman’s last interview, showing his last days and endless optimism. Always look on the bright side, indeed. And finally: all the Pythons remembering Chapman in 2006 part 1, part 2.

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Comments (7)

  1. When I die, if there is any sort of service, I hope it’s just like that. I want people laughing and cursing and having a good time.

    posted by alice on 11-10-2009 at 2:54 pm

  2. Oh my giddy god, this is just so sad. I love Monty Python which makes it even sadder :(

    posted by Pink Coat on 11-10-2009 at 3:07 pm

  3. I was in high school, and I bawled–just bawled when I read he died. He was one of the first people to “humanize” someone being gay for me. (I was raised in a very conservative environment), and I just thought, “well, if his partner and he could be in love for years, and help children out, that’s a good thing.” Funny what and how I learn things sometimes. Thanks for the post.

    posted by Helenann on 11-10-2009 at 3:16 pm

  4. it’s been 20 years?

    gods, but the world misses him!

    posted by Jeff on 11-10-2009 at 7:07 pm

  5. Thank you SO much for this post. I’m with you Alice. Give me a rousing, irreverant sendoff too.

    posted by sherry on 11-10-2009 at 10:53 pm

  6. this is so touching — 20 years since he’s passed? wow. im a HUGE monty python fan and this video always makes me sad :( god bless graham.

    posted by taylor on 11-11-2009 at 3:01 pm

  7. I haven’t seen this in forever. Thanks for reminding me that it was out there. I also love the clip from Live at Aspen where they knock over his “ashes”.

    posted by Amauriel on 11-12-2009 at 9:25 pm

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