He Was Larger Than Life… But Even Bigger in Kindness”
Held at Hogan’s hometown church in Clearwater, the ceremony was attended by an intimate gathering of friends, family, former WWE legends, and a few surprising guests from outside the wrestling world.
Among them were Ed Sheeran and Celine Dion, who both spoke briefly before stepping toward the altar.
Ed, voice trembling, said: “I grew up watching him. He wasn’t just strong in the ring. He made you believe in standing tall when the world tried to knock you down. I never thought I’d sing at his funeral… but there’s nowhere else I’d want to be today.”
Celine, who flew in quietly from Montreal despite ongoing health battles, added: “When I met Hulk at a charity gala in 2012, he hugged me like I was family. That’s who he was. He made everyone feel strong. Even when he was the one suffering.”
The Song That Shattered the Silence
Then came the moment no one saw coming.
As a gentle acoustic guitar rang out, Ed and Celine performed a new, unreleased duet they had quietly written for the occasion — titled “Still Standing Tall.”
“The ring is empty / The lights have dimmed / But echoes of your battle cry / Still live within…
You raised us up with arms of gold / You made the scared ones brave and bold…”
Celine’s crystalline voice soared on the final chorus, while Ed’s soft harmonies grounded every word in aching sincerity. At one point, Brooke Hogan was seen quietly weeping, holding her mother Sharon’s hand.
The Final Bow of a Giant
As the last notes faded, the crowd stood in reverent silence. No applause. Just tears, bowed heads, and the hush of true loss.
“This was not just a performance,” said WWE veteran Ric Flair afterward. “It was a goodbye worthy of a man who made millions feel invincible.”
A Message Etched in Memory
Later, Ed shared on social media:
“We don’t always get to thank our heroes while they’re alive. I’m grateful I could sing for one of mine on the way out.”
Celine added:
“He fought. He lifted. He loved. Rest easy, Hulk. You’re still standing tall — in all of us.”
Hulk Hogan may have taken his final bow —
but through the voices of Ed Sheeran and Celine Dion,
his legacy roared one last time.
And as the world said goodbye to its wrestling icon,
music carried him to the ring in the sky
