Merle Haggard has been laid to rest.
The country music legend passed away yesterday last week, on his 79th birthday, at home due to complications from pneumonia and his private funeral took place on Saturday (09.04.16) at his ranch in Shasta County, California.
Merle planned his own outdoor funeral and requested that fellow country music star Marty Stuart officiated the service.
And the music legend even chose the music for his final goodbye, with performances from Kris Kristofferson, Connie Smith, former Strangers bandmate Ronnie Reno and Marty.
Merle’s three sons – Marty, Noel and Ben – closed the ceremony with a version of their dad’s song ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’.
Meanwhile, Merle’s son Ben previously revealed Merle had predicted he would die on his birthday.
In a Facebook on Wednesday (06.04.16), he wrote: "A week ago dad told us he was gonna pass on his birthday, and he wasn’t wrong. A hour ago he took his last breath surrounded by family and friends.
"He loved everything about life and he loved that everyone of you gave him a chance with his music. "He wasn’t just a country singer.. He was the best country singer that ever lived. (sic)"
Merle Haggard’s private funeral
