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Unforgettable! Inside Natalie Cole's Heartbreaking Funeral

Natalie Cole Funeral
Source: Getty Images

Jan. 11 2016, Updated 11:13 p.m. ET

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Natalie Cole Funeral
Source: Getty Images

See photos of the star-studded funeral service for Natalie Cole.

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Natalie Cole Funeral
Source: Getty Images

Lionel Richie attended Cole's funeral at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ on January 11, 2016 .

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Natalie Cole Funeral
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David Foster paid tribute to his friend, who passed away on December 31, 2015.

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Natalie Cole Funeral
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The Reverend Jesse Jackson attended the "Unforgettable" singer's funeral.

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Natalie Cole Funeral
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Cole's family revealed that her death on Dec. 31 was caused by idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, which ultimately led to heart failure.

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Natalie Cole Funeral
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The singer underwent a kidney transplant in 2009, after struggling with problems related to Hepatitis C, a rare lung disease causing shortness of breath, dizziness and sometimes chest pain.

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Natalie Cole Funeral
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Stevie Wonder paid tribute to his long-time friend.

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Natalie Cole Funeral

Courtney B. Vance and Angela Bassett attended the celebration of her life.

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Natalie Cole Funeral
Source: Getty Images

She "responded well to pulmonary arterial hypertension-specific agents over many years, during which she performed many concerts world-wide, but eventually succumbed to intractable right heart failure, an outcome that unfortunately commonly occurs in this progressive disorder," the statement about her death said.

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Natalie Cole Funeral
Source: Getty Images

The singer's longtime music director, Gail Deadlock, expressed shock at her death: "Nobody knew this was going to happen. We mourn the fact that she's gone. But we are celebrating."

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Natalie Cole Funeral
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Nat King Cole's daughter had a decades-long career with hits including "Inseparable," "This Will Be," and "Our Love."

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Natalie Cole Funeral
Source: Getty Images

Smokey Robinson spoke about his friend at the service.

Natalie Cole Funeral
Source: Getty Images

Cole won six Grammys for "Unforgettable" in 1991. Her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was adorned with flowers after her sad passing.

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