Introduction
The Funeral of Bee Gee Robin Gibb in Thame, Oxfordshire: A Heartfelt Farewell
In the quiet market town of Thame, Oxfordshire, friends, family, and fans gathered to pay their final respects to Robin Gibb, the legendary Bee Gee whose voice defined an era of music. The funeral procession moved slowly from his home, where he had lived with his wife, Dina, for more than three decades, toward St Mary’s Church, a historic 13th-century building just across the road. The emotional scene was led by his elderly mother, Barbara, in her 90s, laying to rest the third of her four sons. Barry Gibb, the last surviving Bee Gee, walked alongside her, visibly supporting her through the day’s solemn proceedings.
The streets of Thame were lined with two to three hundred people, standing in quiet tribute as the horse-drawn hearse carried Robin’s coffin. A lone piper played mournful notes, adding a haunting melody to the procession. A guard of honor had been formed by the young men and women of 594 T Squadron Air Cadets, reflecting Robin’s lifelong support for the armed forces and particularly the RAF. He had championed numerous memorial projects, including one for the Battle of Britain heroes, which would be unveiled later that month—a testament to his dedication beyond the music industry. Following the procession were his beloved Irish Wolfhounds, Olle and Missy, a final nod to the personal joys he cherished.
Inside St Mary’s Church, the service began with the ringing of the ancient bells. Barry Gibb, accompanied by two of Robin’s sons, bore the coffin into the church to the iconic Bee Gees’ hit, How Deep Is Your Love. Robin’s three grown children were present to honor him, prepared to deliver personal tributes to their father, who passed away at the age of 62. The family also chose to include a recording of Robin’s own music, featuring a piece he had composed with his son RJ for a Titanic requiem. The lyrics, urging “Do not cry alone,” resonated poignantly in the context of this farewell.
Robin Gibb will be laid to rest in the small churchyard of St Mary’s, just meters from a memorial dedicated to his younger brother, Andy. The funeral service reflected both tradition and personal touch, featuring hymns such as Be Thou My Vision, Jerusalem, and I Vow to Thee My Country, along with Psalm 23 and the Lord’s Prayer. Dina Gibb, Robin’s devoted wife, read a moving poem she had written, titled My Songbird Has Flown, before the final piece of music, Don’t Cry Alone, was played. The day was a mixture of grief and celebration, as the family, friends, and fans paid tribute to a man whose legacy in music and life will not be forgotten.