Hollywood stars have been attending the funeral in Los Angeles of the entertainer, Frank Sinatra, who died last week.

The service, at a Roman Catholic church near Beverly Hills, was attended by more than 400 close friends and family. Hundreds of fans gathered outside the church.

Stars including Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, Tony Curtis and Sofia Loren, and the former American first lady Nancy Reagan, joined the Sinatra family for the service.

Singer Liza Minnelli is supported by a friend

Frank Sinatra is being buried with a military guard of honour next to his parents' graves, at a private ceremony east of Los Angeles.

Liza Minelli, Gregory Peck, Kirk Douglas and Tony Bennett were among those who joined his widow and family for a private prayer vigil before the main funeral service.

The entertainer's flower-laden casket was carried into Good Shepherd Church in Beverly Hills, California for the special rosary service.

A police motorcycle accompanied the hearse to the door of the church.

Nancy Reagan arrives for the funeral

Longtime friends such as Gregory Peck, who had flown in from Paris to attend, Kirk Douglas, Robert Wagner and Don Rickles were among the pall bearers.

Some of the arrivals were private, but Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra Jr were seen before the vigil began.

Also among the many mourners were Bob Newhart, Tom Selleck and Mia Farrow.

The media were barred from the vigil for the singer who died of a heart attack at the age of 82 after a long period of illness on Thursday.

Tony Curtis enters the church

The family's Internet web site, which is run by his children, said Sinatra fought for his life and his final words were: "I'm losing."

It is understood his casket is being placed in a burial vault at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, where both his mother and father are buried.

The casket will be escorted to the grave by a military honour guard.
 

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