Exclusive Pictures Of HeavyD'S Burial.As Barack Obama And Hollywood Pay Last Respect.

Heavy D was remembered with laughter and tears at his funeral service in New York.

The ceremony included humorous anecdotes from longtime friend Diddy and words of encouragement for his young daughter, delivered in a letter from President Barack Obama.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences at this difficult time. He will be remembered for his infectious optimism and many contributions to American music. Please know that you and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.”

Xea Myers, Heavy D’s 11-year-old daughter, also spoke briefly, telling the audience that her father was ‘still here, not in the flesh, but in the spirit.’

Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon was filled to capacity for the service, which was also streamed live on the Web.

It was so crowded, an overflow area was set up. Among those in attendance were Usher, Queen Latifah, Don King, Q-Tip, John Legend and Rosie Perez.

A large photo of Heavy D sat next to his closed casket.

Dwight “Heavy D” “Overweight Lover” Myers was born in Jamaica but reared in Mount Vernon, which he dubbed ‘Money Earnin’ Mount Vernon.’ It was also the home of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.

Diddy talked about how Heavy D helped give him his start in the music industry, and how their decades-long friendship continued up until Heavy D’s death.

He said Heavy D was there for ‘at my darkest hour’ and ‘was the first person to believe in me.’

But he also told jokes as he recounted his ‘bromance’ with the rapper, including a recent visit to Miami that was supposed to last for three days, but ‘turned into three weeks.’

He added that Heavy D got to know his chef ‘very well.’

Sharpton also drew laughter when he noted that James Brown ‘made us black and proud; he [Heavy D] made us fat and proud.’

But singer Johnny Gill was tearful when he approached the altar, saying: ‘Just want to say to Heavy: job well done.’

He later gave a powerful rendition the gospel hit ‘Never Would Have Made It.’ The rappers nieces were also teary-eyed as they sang the gospel standard, His Eye on the Sparrow.

A fund has been set up to financially aid Heavy D’s daughter; details were available on the website www.rememberheavyd.com