Joan Rivers posed for photographers as she presented "Comedy Roast with Joan Rivers"
Joan Rivers posed for photographers before the Comedy Central's Roast of Joan Rivers. Reuters

The funeral of Joan Rivers will take place on Sunday at Temple Emmanu El, a Jewish Reform synagogue. More than 2,500 mourners are expected, including many Hollywood celebrities.

The 81 year-old comedian, who died on Thursday, left characteristically humorous instructions for her funeral: "When I die, I want my funeral to be a huge showbiz affair with lights, cameras, action," she wrote in her book, I Hate Everyone… Starting With Me.

"I want paparazzi and I want publicists making a scene! I want it to be Hollywood all the way.

"I don't want some rabbi rambling on: I want Meryl Streep crying, in five different accents."

She also joked: "I've had so much plastic surgery, when I die they will donate my body to Tupperware."

Melissa Rivers, Joan River's daughter, visited Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home on the Upper East Side, on Saturday, which is handling the 81 year-old star's final arrangements.

The event will be closed to the press and the public, and all the mourners will be admitted by invitation only.

Peaceful death

The legendary comedienne died in a Manhattan hospital Thursday, a week after she went into cardiac arrest during a routine throat procedure.

In a statement, her daughter said the 81 year-old passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family.

On Friday, the medical examiner's office stated that a post-mortem examination had been performed on Rivers' body, but the cause or manner of death could not be found.

The New York State Department of Health has launched an investigation into the clinic in connection to Rivers' operation. Pathologists will conduct additional tests and interview doctors who were present during Rivers' surgery at Yorkville Endoscopy last week.

TMZ reported that the medical facility has been receiving death threats from Rivers' fans since her hospitalisation last Thursday.

One of the massages stated: "If Joan dies, so will you."

Another supporter of the comic allegedly said: "I hope you people die, you killed an icon."

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