Fans gathered outside a Welsh church to honor singer Bonnie Tyler at a private funeral on Monday. Tyler, known for her distinctive voice, was remembered fondly. Her song “If I Sing You A Love Song” played as her coffin, adorned with roses, was carried into Swansea Minster. The event was projected on a screen for the assembled crowd. Another of her hits, “It’s a Heartache,” played as the coffin was placed near the altar.

Matthew Davis, her manager, delivered a heartfelt tribute, describing Tyler as always remaining humble despite her stardom. He expressed that she would have been touched by the global love shown since her unexpected passing. The Welsh singer was 75 years old when she died in Portugal following emergency surgery.

Her funeral occurred shortly after a solar eclipse, a fitting tribute given her iconic song “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” The seaside community in Mumbles, where Tyler grew up, paid their respects as a hearse carried her Welsh-flag-draped coffin home. Kathleen Davies, a fan, shared her admiration, saying Tyler was authentically herself and proudly Welsh.

Born Gaynor Hopkins, Tyler hailed from Skewen, Wales. She grew up in a coal miner’s family and first performed at a rugby club contest in the late 1960s. Winning a pound for coming second, she was inspired to pursue music. Tyler’s career included three Grammy nominations and a 2013 appearance at the Eurovision Song Contest, where she represented Britain.

Recognized for her contributions to music, she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2022. “Total Eclipse of the Heart” achieved more than 1 billion streams, gaining traction during real eclipses in recent years. Tyler also gained fame for “Holding Out For a Hero” from “Footloose.”