Jennifer Hudson kissed her mother goodbye during a heartfelt private service for her slain family members in Chicago on Monday.
The Oscar-winning actress spent a few moments at the caskets of her brother and nephew, and gently touched the body of her mother before leaning down to kiss her, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Toward the end of the service, American Idol’s season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino sang a rousing rendition of the gospel classic “Your Grace and Mercy.” During the song, she walked into the aisle where she took Hudson’s hand and sang directly to her.
The Reverend Jesse Jackson and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley both spoke at the service. After the funeral, a horse-drawn carriage led the procession to the cemetery.
The private service comes a day after a public service was held for Darnell Donerson, 57, Jason Hudson, 29, and Julian King, 7, at the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church near their Chicago home.
Police discovered the bodies of Hudson’s mother and brother on Oct. 24, and her nephew’s three days later.
Though no one has been charged, police have classified Jennifer’s brother-in-law, William Balfour, as “a person of interest.”
The Hudson family members will be buried at Oak Woods Cemetery on the South Side of Chicago.
It is also being reported that many of Jennifer’s well known friends came out to pay their respects to the Hudson family including Oprah Winfrey, Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah and Usher.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jennifer and her family at this time.
Your thoughts?