If anybody got the full version of the ceremony let me know. I saw about 90 minutes of it and I liked what I saw so far. As you put it, Richard, dignified and tasteful. Good to see true friends of Chuck like Patrick and Daryl there.
I think the open casket in the US is rather common unlike in Europe. They also did it with all the other legends that have already passed on. But with Chuck at first I did not know whether it was a good idea. He completely disappeared from the public when he got too ill to perform in 2014 and I had no idea what he looks like now. I know some people completely change their appearance to the worse once they get deadly ill. I feared he may look horrible now. Well, what I can say. I instantly recognised him on the pics. This is definitely the body of Chuck Berry that I knew and will always remember plus captain's cap and his guitar.
It is sad to see him in his casket, but he also looks at peace. If his soul is flying around somewhere, I am sure it will appreciate the efforts of those, who truly loved him.