Friend Shares Glimpse Into Catherine O’Hara’s Memorial Service

Catherine O’Hara’s loved ones are continuing to honor her memory following her death at 71, with new details emerging about her memorial service and the circumstances surrounding her passing. Just over two weeks after the beloved actress died on January 30, one of her close friends offered a heartfelt glimpse into the private celebration of life held in her honor. The emotional tribute comes as Catherine O’Hara’s official cause of death has also been confirmed, shedding light on the health battle she had been facing.

One of O’Hara’s friends, actress Kelly Lynch, shared a brief but touching look into the memorial on Instagram, revealing the printed program given to attendees.

The program featured a black-and-white photo of O’Hara in her youth, showing the future star dressed like a cheerleader in what appeared to be a school sweater paired with a plaid miniskirt. She smiled brightly at the camera, holding her hands up to frame her face while her hair blew in the wind.

“Rest in peace, darling Catherine,” Lynch wrote alongside the post.

Lynch also shared a somber poem written by Raymond Carver as he was dying from cancer. The poem, titled “Late Fragment,” reflects on life, love, and whether one achieved what they hoped for, themes that resonated deeply with those mourning O’Hara.

In addition to the program, Lynch posted other images honoring her friend, including a still of O’Hara sitting beneath a palm tree high in the Hollywood Hills while filming with Seth Rogen on his series “The Studio,” as well as an older black-and-white photo of the actress smiling casually while seated on the bumper of a Lincoln.

News of O’Hara’s death stunned Hollywood, and days later, her official cause of death was confirmed. According to a Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office report obtained by TMZ, the actress suffered from a blood clot in her lungs. Her immediate cause of death was listed as pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer identified as the underlying cause.

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot, most commonly originating in the leg or pelvis, travels to the lungs, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), according to the Mayo Clinic. Several risk factors are associated with the condition, including surgery, prolonged immobility, cancer, pregnancy, hormone therapy, and smoking. The condition can become life-threatening if not treated quickly, which is why it remains a serious medical concern, particularly for individuals already facing other health challenges.

The medical report also identified rectal cancer as the underlying cause connected to O’Hara’s death. Rectal cancer begins as a growth of cells in the rectum, which is the final portion of the large intestine before the anus, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Before the memorial service, Macaulay Culkin paid a heartfelt tribute to Catherine O’Hara, who famously played his mother in “Home Alone,” sharing an emotional message alongside two photos, one from the beloved 1990 film and another from years later at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.

“Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you,” he wrote. “I heard you, but I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later.”