The actor Ryan O'Neal has led friends and family in an emotional private funeral service for actress Farrah Fawcett, who died last week aged 62 after a long and public battle with cancer.

A grief-stricken Mr O'Neal, the long-time companion of the Charlie's Angels star and pin-up icon, was one of the pall-bearers accompanying Fawcett's flower-covered coffin into the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, and he gave a bible reading at the Roman Catholic service.

Redmond O'Neal, the Love Story actor's 24-year-old son with Fawcett, was allowed briefly out of jail where he is being held on drugs possession charges to attend the funeral service. Redmond also gave a bible reading, after the service started with a recital of the James Joyce poem At That Hour.

Fellow Charlie's Angels star Kate Jackson, former model Cheryl Tiegs and Rod Stewart's ex-wife Alana Stewart, Fawcett's best friend, were also among the mourners. Fawcett's cancer doctor, Dr. Lawrence Piro, delivered the eulogy with Ms Stewart.

The coffin, covered with sprays of orange and yellow flowers, was taken into the church as a quartet of musicians played Amazing Grace and Irving Berlin love song Always according to the programme, which featured a photograph of a smiling Fawcett.

Outside the downtown Los Angeles church, Mr O'Neal acknowledged waiting fans with a wave of a water bottle as he emerged from the service into the sunshine.

Weeping, he gazed into the hearse as Fawcett's coffin was placed inside and placed his hand on the window in a last gesture of farewell.

Fawcett died in a Los Angeles hospital on Thursday with Mr O'Neal and Ms Stewart at her side after a long struggle to beat rectal and then liver cancer.

"After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away," Mr O'Neal said in a statement last week.

"Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world."

Ms Stewart, a producer of the documentary, said Fawcett was 'much more than a friend; she was my sister.'

"Although I will miss her terribly, I know in my heart that she will always be there as that angel on the shoulder of everyone who loved her," Ms Stewart said in a statement.

Fawcett, was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and her battle with the disease was documented in Farrah's Story, broadcast last month.

Ms Stewart, a producer of the documentary, said the actress was "much more than a friend; she was my sister".

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