In Dame Maggie Smith’s ‘beautiful’ final farewell: The Downton Abbey star is laid to rest at a ‘poignant but not sad’ funeral with ‘brilliant’ hymns and hymns ‘sung by all’

Much-loved actress Dame Maggie Smith was quietly laid to rest in a ‘poignant but not sad’ funeral on Monday – more than a month after her death.

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 that brought her international fame.

Her death caused an outpouring of grief around the world, with many reminiscing about her roles as the clever Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and the formidable Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey.

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

The legendary actress’ inspiring life was celebrated on Monday at Mortlake Crematorium in Richmond, south-west London, where mourners ‘sent hymns’ and listened to ‘brilliant eulogies’.

Guests were invited to attend at 4pm where they were welcomed in a ceremony described by one attendee as ‘beautiful, warm and full of laughter’.

“What a beautiful farewell to Maggie Smith today,” said one guest. ‘It was warm and funny and full of love and brilliant hymns, with everyone belting out the best hymns. It was poignant but not sad because she lived such a richly lived life.

The funeral of much-loved actress Dame Maggie Smith took place quietly at Mortlake Crematorium in Richmond on Monday, more than a month after her death. Guests were invited to arrive at 4pm where they were welcomed in a ceremony described by one participant as ‘beautiful, warm and full of laughter’

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

Dame Maggie Smith in the 1976 film Murder By Death, which also starred Alec Guinness

Dame Maggie Smith is appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honor by Queen Elizabeth II during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on October 17, 2014

“I knew her because of Robert’s decades of working with her, but I adored her.

‘Molly was traumatized when she first met her, having known her as the terrifying housekeeper Mrs Medlock in The Secret Garden! Maggie was as funny and sharp as can be. One of the greats.’

The order of service included a moving 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.

The memorial card read ‘In loving memory of Dame Margaret Natalie Smith’.

Dame Maggie died on September 27 at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital after a long illness.

Although born in East London, Dame Maggie spent her final years in West Sussex.

Her funeral was held at a location that is the final resting place of a number of notable figures, including former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, her husband Dennis and comedian Tommy Cooper.

Neither of the Oscar winner’s ex-husbands are buried in Mortlake.

Dame Maggie was celebrated after her death as ‘a true legend’ on both stage and screen.

Maggie Smith beams at the camera in a fashion campaign for Loewe in what would ultimately be her final photo

Dame Maggie Smith arrives for the world premiere of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in London on July 7, 2011

Dame Maggie Smith played the Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey

Her heartbroken sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens announced the news ‘with great sadness’ in an emotional statement at the time.

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 King Charles, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and many of her old co-stars.

Describing her as “a national treasure,” the king added: “My wife and I were deeply saddened to hear of her death.

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

Maggie Smith alongside Miriam Margolyes, Richard Harris and Alan Rickman in the 2002 film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Dame Maggie Smith died on September 27 at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital after a long illness. Born in Ilford, East London, she spent her final years in West Sussex

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer praised her, calling her ‘loved 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 “savage, a glimpse of mischief, delight and tenderness.”

Margolyes told BBC News: “I am in awe of her, as are all her colleagues. I saw the kindness she had, but also how utterly terrifying she could be when she wanted to be.”

Dame Maggie’s career spanning more than half a century brought her recognition almost from the start, 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 the ITV series Downton Abbey, in her Emmy-winning role as the acerbic Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, which she continued to play in the films.

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